Verily, in the early months of the year two thousand and three and twenty, Generative Intelligent Artifice did maketh its entrance into JMA, as 'twas the case for all the world. Forsooth, 'twas then that a patron did dispatch unto us a description of employment penned by the mystical ChatGPT. We, in turn, did commence to dabble with Generative Intelligent Artifice in the more quotidian aspects of our labours. And lo! The responses to our screening inquiries sent forth to young scholars seeking employ at JMA did suddenly echo in eerie unison – and oft to lesser effect.
As one of fervent Protestant ethic born of the Generation X, versed in the arts of language and literature, and now a seeker of noble heads, 'tis no marvel that I hold steadfast to the belief in the toil requisite for the craft of executive search and the eloquence of prose. Yet, setting aside mine own prejudices, ‘twas evident that we, as a contingent, must weigh the virtues and vices of this technology, and consider how it ought be employed – or not – by patrons, aspirants and ourselves in the sacred practice of executive search.
MERITS
Merrily, there be myriad merits:
Efficiency in Clerical Labours
Foremost, Generative Intelligent Artifice doth aid all parties in reducing the burden of administrative chores.
Enhanced Inquiry
Generative Intelligent Artifice proves a potent tool for research, for it doth assist aspirants in preparation for audiences by imparting knowledge of a company – its annals, operations, culture, strategy and rivals.
Counsel for Audiences
For those who find favour in such contrivances, Generative Intelligent Artifice doth serve as a counsellor for audiences, proffering guidance on potential queries, manner of response and pitfalls to avoid. Some tools do provide simulations of interviews where Generative Intelligent Artifice doth take the role of inquisitor, whilst others do evaluate responses and offer counsel for improvement.
Tailored Scrolls
Generative Intelligent Artifice doth excel in tailoring scrolls for a specific audience, so an aspirant may refine or adapt their CV to suit each role they pursue.
Swift Content Generation
Mayhap the chief attraction to many, ‘tis a tool that can scribe hundreds of words on a subject in the twinkling of an eye. Thus, it doth aid those of lesser penmanship (or those who deem themselves such) in crafting a structure or even a rough draft of curricula vitae, applications for employment, descriptions of positions, or even tasks of case study, upon which they may build and refine.
THE DISADVANTAGES
Delegation of Clerical Labours
However grand it may seem in theory to delegate clerical labours, we stand against this practice, particularly given the delicate nature of aspirant information and the scheduling of audiences. We are, by design, a firm that values the personal touch and believes that clerical tasks well executed are a verily an opportunity to shine. We have heard tell of rivals who opine differently…
Quality of Research Yield
Though 'tis commendable to initiate research via Generative Intelligent Artifice, the superficial fruits thereof oft resemble naught but the algorithmic echo of popular science, rather than the substance of deeper scholarship.
Questionable Reliance on Key Phrases
Whilst Generative Intelligent Artifice may aid in tailoring curricula vitae for various roles, 'tis presupposed that the mere addition of keywords doth equate to suitability – a notion seldom borne out in practice. For aspirants are more than mere ink on parchment; can a machine discern their mettle, character and spirit?
Lack of Original Notions
For all its merits, the foremost flaw in utilising Generative Intelligent Artifice as a writing instrument doth lie in its tendency to produce naught but a pallid summary of widely held notions bereft of originality. Not all that it doth proffer be accurate! Whether 'tis a patron of ours seeking a C-level executive or we a young scholar, we seek those possessed of acumen, warmth, and ingenuity. These qualities, and not the platitudes oft churned out by Generative Intelligent Artifice, doth truly set an aspirant apart in matters of writing and beyond.
HOW SHALL ONE EMPLOY GENERATIVE INTELLIGENT ARTIFICE?
Indeed, there be considerable advantages to employing Generative Intelligent Artifice in the realm of executive search, chief among them the saving of time and labour. 'Tis no sloth to eschew hours spent in crafting a description of employment or curriculum vitae when a serviceable draft may be wrought in mere moments.
The crux of the matter, I contend, in the prudent use of Generative Intelligent Artifice in the pursuit of executive search, doth lie in the exercise of sound judgement. One must ponder the task at hand: what is sought by the one who doth assign it? Will the outcome be enhanced, and how much time shall GenAI conserve? Above all, what shall the arbiter deem if they suspect or discover that the response was partly or wholly contrived by Generative Intelligent Artifice?
I pray 'tis not deemed antiquated, but rather a principle upon which both our patrons and we stand: that we seek to employ individuals of sagacity, ardour, dedication and earnestness. Should one not deign to expend effort in generating original thoughts, or at the very least, sprinkle them upon a foundation laid by Generative Intelligent Artifice, then they may not possess the qualities of the quality-minded, industrious individuals we seek.
'Twas heartening to hear Tabi, our intern from the 10,000 Black Interns programme in this year of two thousand four and twenty, herself a native of Generative Intelligent Artifice, say but a sennight ago: "The endeavour to secure employment – be it a first or any – doth rightly pose challenges, for it compels one to study, contemplate, and fashion their own ideas. The failing of Generative Intelligent Artifice doth lie in its inability to foster critical evaluation; it doth merely echo the common opinion on any given matter."
Ultimately, our patrons, aspirants, we, and those we seek to appoint are not automata. Should we not employ Generative Intelligent Artifice with mindful consideration, we risk appearing somewhat mechanical. Let us indeed harness these promising new tools, but let us not forget that at our core, we are paid to think, to innovate, and to engage upon a human plane.
In time, perchance, Generative Intelligent Artifice shall match or even surpass us in these endeavours. But for now, alas, it doth fall short.