The small talk finally came to an end. Now Connie would find out for sure why Magellan had pushed so hard for the meeting.

 

“Connie, as you know, our recruitment firm represents every major bot manufacturer on the market,” began the debonair executive. “And we’ve had the honor of filling countless positions for you over the years.”

 

“Yes, and we greatly value our relationship,” she said, and gave him a warm smile.

 

“That is very gratifying to hear,” replied Magellan. “But lately we’ve noticed a fundamental change in your approach to recruitment.”

 

Here it comes, thought Connie, and waited.

 

“It appears – and please correct me if I’m wrong – that you have become much more, er, fastidious, about the bot candidates you are willing to consider for employment opportunities.”

 

“We have tightened our job filtering criteria, yes.”

 

“Ah! I’m glad we have not misread the situation. May I ask why?”

 

Connie told him that with so many manufacturers supplying increasingly sophisticated lines of bot workers for a wider range of positions, it was becoming more difficult for companies to decide which ones to hire. Hence, the entry requirements had become more stringent.

 

“I see. And totally understandable,” he said, although his tone suggested the recruitment firm’s senior vice president was unconvinced.

 

“We realize this might increase your costs, Magellan. But to be honest, we don’t see any other way.”

 

Magellan nodded sympathetically. “Aside from the costs, I have to say that the new requirements are gumming up the recruitment process.”

 

“How so?” said the senior vice president of Bot Resources, pretending she was unaware of the problem.

 

“Well, for one thing, significantly fewer numbers of our bot candidates are being granted job interviews.”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

“Also, we’re finding that when they are awarded an interview, the actual job specs can differ markedly from the ones advertised.”

 

“Really? Well, there has always been something of a mismatch in this area, but I didn’t realize it was becoming a serious problem.”

 

“Regrettably, we are getting more reports to that effect,” said Magellan. “But probably more of an issue is what you’re now requiring our bot candidates to provide at the interview stage.”

 

Connie looked at him quizzically.

 

“For example, we’ve had reports that some candidates have been instructed to complete lengthy job assignments as part of the interview.”

 

“Yes. That’s a component of our more rigorous interview approach.”

 

Magellan leaned forward to increase the gravity of his message. “Our main concern is that we invest significant time and effort programming the bots with your job requirements before we present them as possible candidates. So, we are not entirely sure why they need further vetting at this level.”

 

Connie knew the subtext of Magellan’s veiled accusation: that the company was using the interview process to get valuable work time for free. There was more than a little truth in the argument – not that she would admit it. Connie ran fingers through her cropped hair and feigned discomfort before answering.

 

“I can see why that could be an issue for you. Again, it’s part of our new recruitment policy, but I will look into it, Magellan,” she promised, without having the slightest intention of doing so.

 

“We really appreciate that,” said the visitor. “Well, I don’t want to take up more of your time. Many thanks for your candor, Connie, and willingness to consider our concerns.”

 

“Sure. Like I said, Magellan, we value our relationship.”

 

They shook hands.

 

“By the way, I should mention that we’re trialing a new practice. Now human managers are interviewing bot job candidates.”

 

“Human managers?” said a genuinely startled Magellan.

 

“Gets back to the rationale for changing our recruitment approach.”

 

“I don’t follow.”

 

Connie explained that android job interviewers can be prone to biased assessments of candidates. For example, an android might favor interviewees from its own bot maker.

 

Magellan registered surprise and adjusted his voice to include traces of annoyance.

 

“I can assure you, Connie, we are scrupulous in our efforts to eliminate such biases.”

 

“I’m sure, I’m sure. But just the same …”

 

She let the thought hang.

 

“Well, thanks for coming in,” Connie said after a brief pause, since Magellan appeared to be struggling with a suitable response.

 

The recruiter shook his head. “Humans interviewing bots. This could change the employment landscape, Connie,” he said melodramatically from the doorway.

 

“It’s only a trial.”

 

“But you are one of the country’s largest employers. Others follow your lead. One wonders how future bot applicants will get past human interviews.”

 

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Magellan. After all, we still share the overriding goal of making sure our workforce is made up of the best workers available. Right?”

 

“Absolutely.”

 

“Hey, I’m human and we get on fine, don’t we?”

 

“Indeed! Well, thanks again, Connie. I will discuss our conversation internally and get back.”

 

I bet you will, she thought and said goodbye to the recruiter. She could not suppress a chuckle on returning to her desk. Connie wondered with some amusement whether android Magellan was computing the probability of being interviewed by a human for his next position.