Applications Of Generative AI In The Hiring Process

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HR teams across organizations are utilizing generative AI (GenAI) to streamline their hiring process. From drafting job listings to screening resumes, GenAI’s applications have enhanced organizations’ recruitment strategies and shortened the time needed to close open positions. How are HR teams adapting GenAI to their personal needs, how successful have they been and what challenges are they facing?

One minute insights:

  • Agreement page pencil iconTop use cases for GenAI in the hiring process are writing social media posts, engaging with candidates and writing job posts
  • Group person people iconRespondents report the use of GenAI in the hiring process has decreased the time it takes to fill open roles at their organization
  • Find search file iconOrganizations are using applicant tracking systems and manual HR reviews to screen resumes and applications for AI-generated copy
  • Down Graph iconHR professionals anticipate the use of GenAI may lead to overlooking qualified candidates and degrade the authenticity of applicant information
  • Scale balance iconMost feel that the benefits of GenAI outweighs the risks

HR professionals have deployed GenAI across the hiring process, and the majority report time to fill roles has decreased since adoption

Among HR professionals whose organization uses GenAI in the hiring process (n=64), 64% report their organization is currently using GenAI to write social media posts. Using GenAI to engage with candidates (63%), and to write job posts (61%) are also commonly selected use cases.

How is generative AI currently being used in your organization’s hiring process? Select all that apply.

Genrative AI Graph

n = 64

To write interview questions 25% | Other (fill in) 2% | Not sure 0%

Other text: Filter candidates using qualification questions

Just 8% of HR professionals report GenAI has increased the time it takes to fill roles at their organization. The majority (64%) report time to fill roles has somewhat (36%) or greatly (28%) decreased.

How has generative AI impacted the time to fill roles at your organization?

AI Impacted Graph

n = 64

Note: May not add up to 100% due to rounding

How satisfied are you with the use of generative AI in your organization’s hiring process overall?

AI Satisfaction Graph

Likewise, the majority of HR professionals are somewhat (59%) or very (20%) satisfied with their organization’s use of GenAI in the hiring process overall. Just 7% are unsatisfied. Note: May not add up to 100% due to rounding

n = 64

Question: Any final thoughts to share about how you anticipate generative AI will impact the hiring landscape over the next 12 months, and how organizations should prepare?

AI will positively impact the hiring landscape and reduce the workload of talent acquisition experts. This will lead to providing a better candidate experience and the organizations focussing more on the quality of hire

Manager, educational services industry, 10,000+ employees

We will see an influx of AI-generated applications, and I think we need to be equipped to know how to handle it effectively.

Director, manufacturing industry, 10,000+ employees

Over two-thirds of HR professionals report they have received an application or resume with AI-generated copy, and most are using applicant tracking software to identify GenAI content

To your knowledge, have any resumes/applications received by your organization contained copy generated by AI tools?

HR Professionals Report

69% of respondents report their organization has received a resume/application that contained copy generated by AI tools.

n = 64

Note: May not add up to 100% due to rounding

Over half of HR professionals (57%) who report their organization has received an application/resume with AI-generated copy (n=44), say 25-50% of applications/resumes they receive today contain GenAI produced content.

To your knowledge, what percentage of resumes/applications received by your organization today contain AI-generated copy?

Resumees Received Graph

75% to less than 100% 0% | 100% 0% | Not sure 0%

Note: May not add up to 100% due to rounding

Question shown only to respondents who answered “Yes” to the question, “To your knowledge, have any resumes/applications received by your organization contained copy generated by AI tools?”

69% of respondents report their organization uses applicant tracking software to identify resumes/applications that contain AI generated copy. Manual review by the HR team (61%), is another top selected tool.

What tools, if any, is your organization using to identify resumes/applications containing AI generated copy? Select all that apply.

Tools Graph

AI or ML algorithms 21% | We don’t use any tools for this 6%

n = 64

41% of HR professionals say their organization has a separate evaluation process for AI-generated resumes/applications. 14% say their organization hasn’t established a process to handle these documents yet.

How does your organization primarily address resumes/applications containing AI-generated copy?

Address resumes Graph

n = 64

We discard AI-generated resumes/applications 0%

Note: May not add up to 100% due to rounding

Question: As an HR leader, how do you personally feel about applications/resumes submitted containing AI-generated copy? How should organizations today be addressing them?

We have a strong process of evaluating candidates through assessments, so I dont think AI generated resumes would be an issue. We use technical and behavioral assessments for evaluating candidates so even if the resume copy is AI generated, and the candidate is lacking skills, we would be able to capture the feedback with the checks and balances in place.

Director, telecommunications industry, 1,000 - 5,000 employees

I don't agree with AI generated applications because we can't really be sure that the information given is true, even if the applicant is not lying, we don't know the extent in which they used AI for their application or resume.

Director, manufacturing industry, 10,000+ employees

I feel indifferent, on one side candidates can leverage AI tools to empower themselves in the job hiring process, on the other hand the AI tool can get it completely wrong.

Director, finance, banking and insurance industry, 1,000 - 5,000 employees

I have mixed feelings as the use of AI reduced the need for authentic expression, yet the candidate who uses AI demonstrates tech literacy.

VP, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, 1,000 - 5,000 employees

The majority of HR professionals report the benefits of GenAI in the hiring process outweigh the risks, and most report their organization will be increasing investments over the next 12 months

22% of respondents report investments in GenAI for their hiring process will significantly increase at their organization over the next 12 months. An additional 47% say investments will somewhat increase, while just 5% report their organization will decrease investments.

Over the next 12 months, how does your organization plan to invest in generative AI technologies for the hiring process?

Invest 12 months Graph

n = 64

Note: May not add up to 100% due to rounding

The top selected challenge respondents anticipate their organization will face from using GenAI in the hiring process is the risk of overlooking candidates (56%). Authenticity of applicant information (52%), and difficulty identifying AI-generated resumes/applications (50%) are also selected by at least half of respondents.

What challenges does your organization anticipate from the use of generative AI in the hiring process? Select all that apply

Challanges Graph

Legal complexities 31% | Over-reliance on AI leading to labor disruptions 23% | We don’t anticipate any challenges 2%

n = 64

Question shown only to respondents who answered “Yes” to the question, “Does your organization currently use generative AI in any part of your hiring process?”

Offer Training Graph

41% of HR professionals report their organization plans to offer training to their recruiters on identifying AI-generated resumes/applications over the next 12 months. 34% report their organization already offers this.

Over the next 12 months, does your organization plan to offer training to recruiters/HR employees on identifying AI-generated resumes/applications?

n = 64

Note: May not add up to 100% due to rounding

74% of respondents somewhat or strongly agree that the benefits of generative AI in the hiring process outweigh the risks. Just 3% disagree.

How do you feel about the following statement: “The benefits of generative AI in the hiring process outweigh the risks.”

Benefits Graph

n = 64

Note: May not add up to 100% due to rounding

Question: Any final thoughts to share about how you anticipate generative AI will impact the hiring landscape over the next 12 months, and how organizations should prepare?

We have to proceed with caution and remain in compliance in order to be mindful of the errors that can occur using generative AI. If used properly, it can help make the hiring process more fluid. While there are advantages to be had, it is still a young technology and should be reviewed as such..

Director professional services, 1,000 - 5,000 employees
A lightbulb

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Respondent Breakdown

Respondent Breakdown