The email I received recently regarding a job position, made me think how creative phishing is becoming, and how much it’s become “normal”. 

Let's face it, the creative opportunities pool has been a “bit” controversial - from job descriptions that are asking candidates to fill 5+ positions within one role, to job platforms that show the numbers of applications (which is off putting to many candidates rather than encouraging them), to ghosting job positions. Studios are openly admitting they don't intend on hiring talent even though they advertise open positions, some studios that fail to comply fully with GDPR rules, and others that conduct interviews led by AI bots and calling it progress - where does this leave our talent?

Short answer - not with many options.

Long answer - our industry is struggling and as a result those with resources are making this struggle even harder. If you don’t know better you will unintentionally have created a space where malicious emails or messages are tricking talent into gathering private information. ‘How is this relevant to me?’, you might ask - the result of all things listed above, in which you play a big role.

You might not find the best person for the position you're advertising because talent feels overlooked, taken advantage of, and tired of hearing they were 1 out of 300+ candidates chosen. They stop applying and you lose valuable and skilled talent. You're left with either hiring the second best talent, or re-publishing the job role - so it becomes a never ending cycle.

You struggle finding talent and here is why - your job descriptions are either vague or asking for one person to fill 5 different roles. Our industry sometimes requires us to be chameleons and we get it, but to ask bluntly for a person to fill a 5 person role and pay them as much as one person role… well you do the maths. Not being honest with your talent is another reason - remember they are interviewing you just as much as you're interviewing them - so both sides deserve honesty. Bringing AI into the pool and calling it a progression. I get it, that being able to adapt in today’s changeable climate is vital and necessary for your company’s survival. But taking the human touch out of  recruitment is not survival. Having AI decide if a talent is right for your studio takes away the importance of connecting with your talent. Before everything we are in the creative industry, and to create as a human holds great value within itself, a value that AI will never bring. AI won’t be able to assess if a talent’s character, way of conduct, professional aspirations or team’s integration will be possible - but you can.

If you want the right talent to come to you, create that space - be honest, conduct a research on what the creative pool is like, what skillsets are needed for the job you're advertising, estimate a fair salary number not a “competitive” one, be curious of who you’re hiring and look beyond their showreel. Connect with your talent and protect their information, because they are coming to you, to be part of your team and it's the least respect you can give them.