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At Intersect Global, we connect talent to projects that are building a more sustainable future — and that includes tackling one of our planet’s biggest challenges: plastic pollution.

Every July, millions around the world take part in #PlasticFreeJuly, a global movement to reduce single-use plastics.
In construction, infrastructure, and utilities, we have a unique opportunity to lead the way in innovation and sustainable practices.

Whether it’s reducing site waste, choosing eco-friendly materials, or simply ditching disposable plastic in the office — small changes make a big impact.

Looking to work for a business that’s committed to sustainability? Or hiring for projects that push boundaries on ESG goals?

Let’s talk: https://www.intersectglobal.co.uk

#PlasticFreeJuly #Sustainability #GreenJobs #InfrastructureCareers #EnvironmentalEngineering #RecruitmentWithPurpose #IntersectGlobal #FutureOfWork #NetZero

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly reshaped recruitment processes, offering faster and more streamlined methods. From automating CV screening to handling video interviews, AI-powered tools can process vast numbers of applications efficiently.

However, a closer look reveals a critical concern: these technologies could inadvertently impede progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Could the very algorithms designed to enhance hiring efficiency also introduce unintended setbacks?

Understanding Bias in AI Recruitment

AI’s reliance on data for decision-making is both its strength and its weakness. If the datasets used for training AI systems contain historical biases—such as favoritism toward specific educational backgrounds, genders, or ethnic groups—the technology may replicate and amplify these patterns. Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) highlights how AI models built on biased data can inadvertently perpetuate inequalities, sometimes eliminating diverse candidates from consideration without recruiters being aware.

A prominent example is Amazon’s AI-based hiring tool, which was intended to streamline CV screening. The system penalized resumes containing terms like “women’s,” as seen in phrases such as “women’s soccer team” or “women’s college.” This occurred because the training data was heavily skewed toward male candidates, reflecting historical hiring patterns at Amazon. Ultimately, the company discontinued the tool, acknowledging its unintended reinforcement of gender bias.

Beyond recruitment, similar issues have been observed in other applications of AI. For instance, the COMPAS algorithm, used in the criminal justice system, disproportionately flagged minority defendants as high-risk. Though outside the hiring sphere, this example underscores the broader implications of biased AI systems.

The Latest Insights on AI Bias in Hiring

Research continues to shed light on how bias manifests in AI-based recruitment. A study by MIT Sloan Management Review found that AI tools often favor candidates resembling previous successful hires, even when organizations aim to increase diversity. This tendency to replicate historical hiring decisions can hinder efforts to broaden talent pools.

Similarly, Harvard Business Review highlighted biases in AI-driven video interview tools. These systems, which evaluate candidates based on facial expressions, vocal tone, or speech patterns, can disadvantage individuals from neurodiverse backgrounds or those with disabilities. Such findings emphasize the importance of oversight in deploying AI in recruitment.

Intersect’s Approach: Balancing AI and Human Insight

At Intersect, we recognize the value of AI in enhancing efficiency but remain cautious about its limitations. We believe that AI cannot replace the nuanced judgment of human recruiters. While AI processes data quickly, it lacks the capacity to consider the unique circumstances and diverse needs of candidates. By combining AI-generated insights with human judgment, we ensure that diverse shortlists are created and DEI goals are prioritized.

Learning from Industry Leaders

Several organizations have successfully addressed AI bias in recruitment. For example, LinkedIn has implemented fairness algorithms to identify and correct disparities introduced by its AI tools. Continuous monitoring like this is essential to prevent inadvertent disadvantages for specific groups.

Steps to Align AI with DEI Goals

For companies leveraging AI while maintaining their commitment to diversity, here are actionable strategies:

• Audit Training Data: Regularly assess the datasets used to train AI models to ensure they reflect the diversity you aim to achieve.
• Diversify Data Sources: Incorporate inclusive datasets that represent a range of experiences and demographics.
• Conduct Bias Reviews: Periodically evaluate AI systems for any patterns of bias, involving external experts where necessary.
• Human Oversight: Use AI as a tool to support—not replace—human decision-making. Recruiters play a vital role in recognizing diverse talents and ensuring fairness.
• Prioritize Skills-Based Assessments: Shifting the focus from traditional qualifications to skills-based hiring can reduce biases linked to education or employment history.

Conclusion

AI has immense potential to revolutionize hiring by making it faster and more data-driven. However, this potential must be harnessed responsibly to avoid perpetuating systemic biases. Organizations must remain vigilant, implementing safeguards to ensure that AI aligns with their DEI goals.

At Intersect, our approach emphasizes a thoughtful balance between technology and human expertise. By combining the speed and efficiency of AI with the empathy and insight of human recruiters, we strive to create a recruitment process that is inclusive, equitable, and aligned with modern workforce needs.

Five ways to avoid burnout

As the nights draw in our energy levels will dip, but the demands placed upon us probably won’t. Here’s how to avoid burnout

While the trees begin to shed their leaves and slip into a long slumber this autumn (here in the UK at least), we humans have no such luxury. For most of us, life continues at the same relentless pace into the darker months, just as the desire to hunker down increases. It puts us at risk of fatigue or – worse – burnout, which research suggests is a growing issue.   

 According to a report by Glassdoor – a website where employees anonymously rate their employers – reviews mentioning burnout have reached the highest level since the company started tracking data in 2016.  

Meanwhile, the pervasiveness of technology, the constant barrage of bad news via mainstream news outlets, and cost of living pressures all serve to ramp up cortisol levels. Here’s how to bring them down and avoid burnout.  

1. Tick off the basics

Getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising are the cornerstones of good mental and physical health. Other activities, such as journaling, reading and yoga have been shown to lower cortisol levels. Even a walk in the woods can help. “Studies show that people who regularly go for walks in a forest or in green spaces have lower levels of cortisol,” says Rose Abbott, a GP.  

Image: Christina Deravedisian

2. Introduce ‘healthy stress’ to your life

“The sabre-tooth tiger is not outside the cave any more, but we think it is,” says mental health coach Anthony Mullally, pointing out that modern stresses such as deadlines elicit the same ‘fight or flight’ response as the tiger. “Learning to manage small stresses such as exposure to cold water helps us contextualise the threat … and build tolerance,” he says. Mindful breathing also helps. “It regulates the nervous system,” adds Mullally.  

Image: Jorge Fernandez

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3. Set boundaries – and stick to them

As the poet Robert Frost wrote: “Good fences make good neighbours.” It’s also important to set boundaries with yourself. “When we define what we need to feel secure and healthy … and protect those parts of ourselves, we can do wonders for our wellbeing,” writes therapist Joe Sanok in a blog. Boundaries may include the hours you work, how much screen time you have, or when you go to bed.   

Image: AbsolutVision

4. Shape your definition of success

Success is a slippery concept. For some, it’s about having meaningful relationships and fulfilling experiences, for others it’s tied to career wins and financial gains. Defining what success means to you is a first step towards establishing priorities in life, enabling a focus of energy on the things that matter to you. Challenge your definition, too. Is success really a fancy new car, or actually working less?    

Image: Johen Redman

5. Avoid workplaces where burnout is normalised

The latest State of the Global Workforce report suggests that 40% of UK employees are stressed. But how do we avoid lurching from one toxic job to another? “Watch out for red flags [in the recruitment process],” says Joel Lalgee, host of the Recruiting is No Joke podcast. “Poor communication, ghosting, endless rounds of interviews, repetitive questions and untrained interviewers” are bad signs, he adds.  

Image: Priscilla du Preez

Main image: LightFieldStudios

Words byGavin Haines

Here are some tips you can follow to get back on top of your game without causing further exhaustion after the holidays. 

 1. Take it light

This is the moment when most of us make a list of resolutions for the new year. While it’s nice to start fresh and work on your goals, you can also take this time to reflect on the last year and make realistic decisions. The best thing to do is to go easy with your New Year’s resolutions. Research has shown that almost 23% of people quit their resolutions by the end of the first week, so don’t just load your list with a bunch of plans. Instead, pick one goal for every month and work towards achieving it. 

2. Less planning and more action

One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make is planning a lot at the beginning of the year and getting lost in a sea of action items. This overwhelming feeling can be avoided by taking one step at a time without planning the entire course. As Brian Tracy notes in his book Eat That Frog!, when you have an ultimate goal, breaking the tasks down into simple goals helps you concentrate and provides better results. This also ensures you always stay on top of your goals without putting too much pressure on yourself.  

 3. Indulge in holiday delights

Holiday treats aren’t just for the holidays. Sometimes, it’s okay to indulge in activities you usually do during your time off—like grabbing a cup of hot chocolate or baking a batch of brownies—just to remind yourself that not all fun is lost once the holidays are over. 

 4. Try to establish a work-life balance

It doesn’t always need to be about work once you step into a new year. A Frontiers Psychology study found that proper work-life balance improves job performance by enhancing job-related satisfaction. This implies that for greater overall success, your number one priority should be to find a balance between your work schedule and your personal life. As the old adage goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” so try to strike an equilibrium. Take sufficient breaks, go on a walk when you feel overwhelmed, and plan your time off to avoid burnout and improve your quality of life.   

 5. Do something you’ve never done before

New experiences always fuel the soul. To make this upcoming year more entertaining, find things that interest you and channel your energy towards them. In the process of learning or doing something new, you will end up rediscovering yourself without the concerted effort. 

While getting back to work can be daunting, you can still make the best of your days ahead with simple yet fulfilling activities. 

Article by Sheryl for https://www.zoho.com/blog/cliq/5-tips-to-revitalize-after-your-holiday-break

It can be tough getting back to work after your summer break and for some, it can feel impossible to return to work with enthusiasm and determination right after the holiday fun; your body and mind likely aren’t going to give 100%. But don’t be too hard on yourself! The key is to take it one step at a time.

Here are some tips you can follow to get back on top of your game without causing further exhaustion after the holidays. 

 1. Take it light

This is the moment when most of us make a list of resolutions for the new year. While it’s nice to start fresh and work on your goals, you can also take this time to reflect on the last year and make realistic decisions. The best thing to do is to go easy with your New Year’s resolutions. Research has shown that almost 23% of people quit their resolutions by the end of the first week, so don’t just load your list with a bunch of plans. Instead, pick one goal for every month and work towards achieving it. 

2. Less planning and more action

One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make is planning a lot at the beginning of the year and getting lost in a sea of action items. This overwhelming feeling can be avoided by taking one step at a time without planning the entire course. As Brian Tracy notes in his book Eat That Frog!, when you have an ultimate goal, breaking the tasks down into simple goals helps you concentrate and provides better results. This also ensures you always stay on top of your goals without putting too much pressure on yourself.  

 3. Indulge in holiday delights

Holiday treats aren’t just for the holidays. Sometimes, it’s okay to indulge in activities you usually do during your time off—like grabbing a cup of hot chocolate or baking a batch of brownies—just to remind yourself that not all fun is lost once the holidays are over. 

 4. Try to establish a work-life balance

It doesn’t always need to be about work once you step into a new year. A Frontiers Psychology study found that proper work-life balance improves job performance by enhancing job-related satisfaction. This implies that for greater overall success, your number one priority should be to find a balance between your work schedule and your personal life. As the old adage goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” so try to strike an equilibrium. Take sufficient breaks, go on a walk when you feel overwhelmed, and plan your time off to avoid burnout and improve your quality of life.   

 5. Do something you’ve never done before

New experiences always fuel the soul. To make this upcoming year more entertaining, find things that interest you and channel your energy towards them. In the process of learning or doing something new, you will end up rediscovering yourself without the concerted effort. 

While getting back to work can be daunting, you can still make the best of your days ahead with simple yet fulfilling activities. 

Article by Sheryl for https://www.zoho.com/blog/cliq/5-tips-to-revitalize-after-your-holiday-break

In recent years, the simple act of flipping on the evening news has become a challenging experience for those of us who strive to maintain a positive attitude. Just sitting there in your living room, watching one upsetting news story after another whether on the TV, your tablet, or a smartphone, can cause even the most optimistic person to become a bit jaded.

Of course, negativity doesn’t only emanate from screens. Exposing yourself to toxic people, those surly souls who find fault in everything around them – including you – can bring you down, too. If you aren’t careful to protect your personal boundaries, you can be drawn right into their negative orbit.

So, how do we remain positive and chipper in a chaotic world? How do we protect our own state of mind when we’re around those Negative Nellies? Let’s explore some positive actions that can help us navigate the doom and gloom we encounter out there.

How Negative People Can Affect Our Positive Mindset

Let’s address the “negative people” issue first, since unlike the depressing TV news that we can just turn off at will, it isn’t so easy to avoid negative people. But even if you work with someone who walks around with a storm cloud over their head all day, there are ways to protect yourself from being sucked into their dark vortex. Consider these actions:

Kill them with kindness. Be the yin to their yang, the salt to their pepper. The most effective way to disarm someone who is giving off negative vibes is to counter it with a smile. Pay them a compliment when they criticise you. Mention the beautiful weather when they fixate on the negatives. Be the bright light in their day, and then let it go.

Limit your exposure. Sometimes, a grumpy person is bound and determined to marinate in that negative stew, and nothing you can do will change that. If that is the case, your best strategy is to distance yourself. Make a concerted effort to spend as little time as possible being exposed to that person’s negative energy.

Don’t take it personally. Most of us are sensitive people who feel badly when someone is unkind to us or critical because we can’t help but take it personally. Instead of taking someone else’s bad attitude personally, realize that they are probably not even aware of how they come off to others. They may be going through a difficult chapter in their lives, so their behavior may have nothing to do with you.

5 Ways to Protect Our Positive Attitudes

Now let’s zoom out a bit to consider some other ways our joy can be hijacked by negativity, and what we can do about it:

Limit news consumption. The daily news cycle, filled with a steady barrage of sensational headlines, seems designed to turn us all into news junkies. Resist! Being too immersed in political drama, conspiracy theories, or upsetting news stories is a recipe for negativity. Limit your news intake to an hour a day. Grab the headlines, and then focus on the positive things in your life.

Spend time in meditation. The world is noisy and distracting, and often prevents us from focusing on the positive. One of the most effective strategies to tune out the negative and direct your thoughts towards positive goals and dreams is through meditation. Mindvalley Masterclass guides you toward accessing a higher state of consciousness and personal growth. Instead of allowing yourself to become a victim of negativity, you’ll learn how to shape the world according to your thoughts.

Live in gratitude. Cultivating a grateful mindset takes practice. Be intentional about seeing the positive as you go through your day. Notice how that super friendly checker at the grocery store brightened your morning. Note the kindness of a stranger you interacted with at the post office. Soak up the sheer beauty of a spring day. Look for reasons to be grateful and you will find them.

Surround yourself with beauty. Create your own safe haven, a space that negativity cannot penetrate. Whether it is an office, a home, or a garden, design a place of serenity that feeds your soul. Include items that make you smile, such as artwork or soft pillows or beautiful garden statues. If your sanctuary is a particular room, fill the space with your favourite music, a soothing colour palette, and things that hold special meaning for you.

Don’t let fear, worry, or self-doubt creep in and sow the seeds of negativity in your psyche. If you focus on what is true and good, and expend your precious energy on the things you can actually control, then you will indeed stand firm in your positivity.

Despite a hybrid return to the office, interviews continue to be conducted via video link as a first port of call followed by face to face second stage interviews.

So, what can you do to ensure you are invited for second interview?

The Do’s

Always ensure you are in a quiet location and that you have a professional looking background.

Ensure you dress appropriately.

Test the video link prior to your interview so you are familiar with it. Also test the sound and picture quality. Have a practice call with a friend or family member so you can adjust if required.

Ensure you have a strong internet connection, and should it fail during your interview you are able to toggle from your phone or have another backup.

Smile and relax, the more at ease you seem the more likely they will want to offer you a second interview.

The Don’ts

Don’t have mirrors in your background which could reflect on other areas of your home or the people within it, it is also best to avoid any personal items like photographs etc as this could be distracting.

Avoid cafes if possible, they tend to be too noisy for interviews and you are likely to be disturbed.

Avoid casual hoodies or lounge wear.

Don’t interrupt the interviewer, use the raise hand function if you have a question.

Don’t move too much, stand or leave the room until the interview is over.

By following these simple tips, you know you’re putting your best foot forward.

For a selection of job opportunities, head over to our job board, you can also get in touch with us via our contact page or connect with us on LinkedIn.