I shouldn't read the news nor should I read opinion pieces, invariably they get my back up. This weekend, an article caught my eye - 'How to get a job right now - be more high agency'. Apparently Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI was asked what he looks for in potential employees and he said 'high agency'. Ever the cynic, I thought to myself, what the heck? It's clearly the tech phrase du jour. I can't say any of my clients have been requesting it as a personality type. They do, however, traditionally ask for people who are organised, communicative, hard-working, dedicated, honest, positive and reliable.
Apparently the term 'high agency' refers to a cluster of traits including self-confidence, proactiveness, decisiveness and the ability to see the world differently. I can see how in the tech world, perhaps, that those traits are important, particularly the last one. But also it depends on the role and the business etc. The Tech Evangelists would say that it's a very self-starting personality type - to be Director of your own life. They say that to be low agency conversely means that you are too passive and content to let life happen to you.
I blow my cheeks out and have a think about it all. To have agency or power to control something is usually therapy speak. We can use agency to own a situation and to change it. Yes, that's definitely right. As with most things, context is essential. Mr Altman at the helm of AI evolution on a global scale - of course he needs his people to be forward thinking with the self belief to go their own way. I'm not sure though that in every business environment that it's what an employer needs. I refer back to my list of traits of what my clients usually ask for!
What irritated me most was the 'how to get a job right now'. For most of us mere mortals, I'm not convinced that being high agency will do anything at all for us. The jobs market is the worst that I have ever known it in more than 25 years of recruitment - technically we're not in a recession but looking at the numbers, 2008 now looks like a good year! In the creative sector, we're in the midst of a perfect storm - global economic, political and social unrest and uncertainty means reduced client spending and the number of people out of work in this sector is at it's highest in years. Too many overqualified individuals for the jobs on offer, too many businesses who can't afford to hire juniors, too many clients 'having a go' at using AI themselves. All of this means that the recruitment picture across the North is not pretty. On a daily basis I speak to any despondent individuals who started out feeling all 'high agency' - I'll use redundancy as an opportunity, gives me a chance to spend time with the family, go freelance, do something different etc. Then 9-12 months later when the mortgage is in arrears - it's a depressing state of affairs.
So. How to get a job right now? Apply for the right jobs, not just any job. Use LinkedIn to find ex colleagues and friends you have worked with previously. Reach out - referrals are invaluable and a great route into a new business. Talk to recruiters, apply directly, stay consistent and persistent. Don't use LinkedIn to deliver daily content as to how depressed you are - I'm currently seeing a lot of this which is depressing in itself. However, potential employers don't want to see this. If you are going to use LinkedIn as a tool, keep it positive and confident.
When you get to interview stage, that's the time to talk about your key strengths and how they relate to your personality type. But I can predict that whilst we all need to evolve our skills to incorporate AI and technology, most employers will be looking for those traditional core skills and someone who will adapt well to their own particular team culture. Good Tea making skills are always a nice to have.
By Fiona. Always happy to chat. 07976 125963.