Recruiting in the Age of A.I.

Rebecca Serviss

In the 21st Century, we’ve seen the recruiting industry evolve as the digital age continues to grow and impact the job market. Recruiting technology has advanced over the years, from outdated computer systems that require recruiters to walk around a room to view a candidate’s résumé to modern-day digital platforms that allow an employer to search for candidates and apply for positions via various online applications. We then saw the digital age in full force as the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm and completely changed the workplace, making the online world the most prominent avenue by which recruiters can approach the job market.

In 2023, the workplace encountered a new technology that has become popular in many industries: artificial intelligence (A.I.). A.I. is a computer system programmed to complete tasks and perform jobs independently. The most basic form of A.I. is a chatbot, an automated program designed to simulate a conversation with a real person. One of the most popular chatbots used is ChatGPT. With ChatGPT, a person can get information on any topic.

As A.I. chatbots continue to grow in popularity, it is important that this technology is being used the right way.

The Benefits

It is now common for recruiters to use A.I. when conducting a staffing search or to assist them with generating applicant flow within the organization. Using chatbots has many advantages, for example, the ability to present information to interested candidates and prospective employees more efficiently. Chatbots are also an efficient, cost-effective sales and marketing tool that allows organizations to make meaningful connections with potential candidates before applying for a position. But there’s more to chatbots than just using them for applicant management.

Another advantage of using A.I. to recruit candidates is that recruiters can search for relevant candidates based on their job requirements or resume. Unlike traditional search methods, a recruiter must look through thousands of résumés within a database. With A.I., recruiters can obtain the most relevant résumés for their job order. The idea of searching through a database of candidates with specific requirements is a game changer when it comes to recruiting technology.

Using ChatGPT in the recruiting industry can make accomplishing everyday tasks much faster. From using the program to generate interview questions for a candidate to outlining job descriptions, ChatGPT will help ease writer’s block and increase productivity. ChatGPT is also an excellent tool when writer’s block hits while drafting emails. Writing professional emails is an integral part of any job, and ChatGPT is a great assistant when looking for the right words and tone.

The Drawbacks

The development of A.I. is still a new technology and isn’t a perfect science. Although A.I. is a helpful tool for recruiters and employers, this specific technology still has many flaws that must be worked out. For example, a study by the consulting firm PwC shows that many recruiters use A.I. to find candidates similar to other employees within the organization or possibly those who have worked at the company before, which could lead to discrimination claims if proper recruitment practices aren’t followed. Additionally, the study shows that recruiters are using A.I. to find candidates based on minimal criteria and aren’t extending job offers to quality candidates due to their lack of interest in the job.

A.I. shouldn’t be used as the primary source of finding a candidate. Instead, it should be used to assist recruiters in obtaining the most relevant candidates for each position they want to fill. A recruiter should also use A.I. to filter candidates based on the position’s job requirements, education, experience, and skills; however, this should be one of many ways a candidate is found. Instead of using A.I., recruiters should always find candidates who are a cultural fit for their organization and are qualified to do the job correctly.

The Future of A.I.-Based Recruiting Technology

In the near future, we can expect that there will be more advancements in the field of A.I. and that it will become an even more prominent component of recruiting. As the use of A.I. continues to grow, we can expect A.I.-based recruiting platforms to become more sophisticated and beneficial for employers and recruiters. The Lowdown is just one example of an A.I.-based resource that has already been used effectively in many different industries and continues expanding throughout the recruitment process.

Recruiters will continue to use A.I.-based technologies, and soon, they will lead the way in this growing industry.

Will A.I. ever replace recruiters as a whole? Of course not. A.I. and robots will never be able to achieve the same emotions and human connection that recruiters offer. Humans are the lifeblood of a recruiter’s business, and getting the perfect fit requires more than just a photo and a résumé. With the use of A.I. in conjunction with other recruiting technologies, recruiters will have access to the most relevant candidates for a specific job order, saving recruiters time and giving them more time to develop and nurture relationships with top candidates.

July 25, 2023