Luis Almeida

Some have argued that technology has created more jobs than it has destroyed. I am skeptical about this socially accepted romantic TechnoLove cult.

I am starting to believe that technology is doing more damage than good for us. If you have been reading my column here in the Cleveland Daily Banner these past few months, you can probably attest that I am not a “TechnoGroupie” or a “TechnoPhobic,” but a TechnoModerator — a person who enjoys a chat about reasonable uses of technology in society.

I am not sold on this idea that job applications are always to be completed online.

Ladies and gentlemen, application-tracking technology has made job applications more democratic, but it certainly didn’t make them any easier or more effective. In America today, there are millions of unfilled jobs despite all this technology we enjoy having.

What a nightmare for many! Do you need a retail job? You need to go online and apply! Are you interested in working for a big accounting firm? Check out our application online. We shall contact you if you are a “fit.” Good luck!

Who is a better fit? You or the other 500 to 1,000 applicants you are competing against?

Let’s start with the basics. Have you ever experienced troubles with an online job application system? Well, I have. Last year, when I was looking for professorship positions in the Southern region, I came across this quite elaborate and interesting university job-application system.

The main problem with this system was that apparently only God was good enough to fit the position! What a waste of my time and probably theirs. Sometimes I wonder what organizations are thinking when they put together these websites to attract star employees.

With things being fair, applicant-tracking software has made the job of many big corporations and university hiring committees much easier, because these systems help organizations with controlling information management, application storage, and organizing and accessing relevant data.

From that standpoint, advances in recruiting technology have revolutionized the way we collect applicant data. However, as with all types of innovation, there are side effects. Although these technologies assist leaders with planning, implementing and managing the hiring process, it also creates a number of challenges for good candidates.

By the way, I am not aware of any high-paying position today that doesn’t require applicants to spend a considerable amount of time filling out these online job applications. If you are looking for a new job, expect filling out 40 to 50 of these applications.

My wife has spent nights on end submitting job applications in this past few months. I witnessed her spending two hours to complete one single online application! She got denied the next day. Holy cow! What a waste of time. Thankfully, due to hard work and social capital, she found a position in Ooltewah as a beauty consultant. What a blessing for our family! We kind of needed it.

Look, I get it. Advances in technology have helped companies with storing, organizing and accessing hundreds, sometimes thousands of digital job applications. From a logistical standpoint, that’s great. The problem with the automation of the application process is that millions of people apply for jobs every day, but employers only scan the resumes.

It seems to me that all this technology has forced us to hire resumes rather than hiring people. We seem to have lost the human component in the application process. What a shame!

Back in the day, when people didn't have to apply for jobs online to be a store associate at a retail location, speaking with a manager would increase your chances of getting hired.

No wonder job turnover is so high these days. People are sick of this tedious data-entry nightmare.

So the question stands. Is technology making our lives better or worse? Probably worse.

“TechnoLove” may be overrated!

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(About the writer: Dr. Luis C. Almeida is an associate professor of communication at Lee University and TEDx speaker. He is the author of the book “Becoming a Brand: The Rise of Technomoderation,” and a devoted Christian. He can be reached via his website at luiscalmeida.info.)