Artificial Intelligence is reviewing job applications. Here's what job seekers need to be aware of.
A New Era in Job Hunting: The AI Takeover
Step into the modern job market where AI is making waves in the recruitment process. Here's what you should know about this transformation.
Data from Resume Genius and the Society for Human Resources Management indicates that an increasing number of companies are using AI to screen resumes and applications. This shift, driven by the rising number of job applications and the need for speed and efficiency, is set to continue, with the AI recruitment sector projected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% between 2023 and 2030.
Millions of resumes might pass through AI systems before reaching a human recruiter. While applicant tracking systems have long been used to parse resumes for skills and keywords, AI takes it a step further, "reading" resumes to find suitable candidates. The question is, can AI make it harder to guarantee your resume gets seen by a human? Not necessarily!
To provide recruiters and candidates alike with benefits, AI methods are turning away from keyword-scanning techniques that may penalize candidates for missing certain words. Instead, they're focusing on understanding the content of a resume, enabling them to create a holistic and comprehensive view of each individual. By doing so, AI aids in sorting candidates efficiently, eventually providing hiring managers with a list of relevant candidates and potentially saving both parties valuable time.
"The AI providers take a skills-based approach," says Madeline Laurano, chief analyst at Aptitude Research, an HR advisory firm. "They're saying, 'We're not using keywords on a resume. We want to be able to create more of a holistic picture and a full view of the individual, so we're inferring skills.'"
The Do's and Don'ts in AI-Powered Job Market:
- Ensure that the skills outlined on your resume match the job posting.
- Simplify the visuals, avoiding complex charts, columns, or unusual fonts. An ATS craves the unadorned!
AI Recruiting Agents: Simplifying the Hiring Process
On the other side of the hiring desk, AI tools are being used to streamline and simplify the recruitment process by screening applications, finding candidates, and even drafting outreach messages. Last year, recruitment firm Workday acquired AI hiring tool developer HiredScore, and Indeed released a Smart Sourcing tool.
Taking it a step further, LinkedIn introduced an AI agent, Hiring Assistant, which assists with mundane HR tasks such as screening applications, sourcing top candidates, and even finding similar candidates for current employees. This tool can also communicate with applicants during off-hours, with human recruiters stepping in when needed.
Candidate-Friendly AI Features:
- Job Hunt Description: A tool that allows job hunters to describe their desired role instead of searching for a specific job title.
- Job Match: A feature that tells job seekers whether their experience aligns with a certain role.
Beware the Pitfalls: Bias, Misinformation, and More
While AI holds immense potential, it's crucial to bear in mind that it is still prone to bias, misinformation, and the need for data consent. For instance, research from the University of Washington found that certain large-language models used in hiring favored resumes submitted by people with white-associated names over those with Black-associated names. To ensure ethical practices, AI tools must be carefully trained, monitored, and their results must be scrutinized.
Human Touch in a Digital World
Despite the advantages and convenience AI offers, it's vital to remember that AI should not (and cannot) make a hiring decision. The final call should always rest with a human, who will weigh skills, cultural fit, and other intangibles that AI cannot capture. As Laurano puts it, "AI should not be making a decision on hiring. At the end of the day, a human needs to make a decision."
As AI continues infiltrating the job market, adapting to these new dynamics is key tobagging that dream job.
- In the new era of job hunting, tech giants like Workday and Indeed are integrating AI in their recruitment processes, with tools like HiredScore and Smart Sourcing, aiming to simplify the hiring process for recruiters.
- To increase chances of being recognized by AI systems, job seekers should ensure their resumes clearly showcase the skills relevant to each job posting, and avoid complex visuals that might hinder the system's ability to read the document effectively.
- The human element remains crucial in the AI-driven job market, as recruiters should be the ones making the final hiring decisions, considering factors like cultural fit and intangible skills that AI may not capture.
