Comparing recruitment processes of today to what they were 50 years ago, some may argue that very little has changed, while the world around us is almost unrecognizable to what it was. Recruitment has always been a long and tedious process that requires lots of time and effort, and even when you think you found the perfect candidate, you may not be perfect for them, and you start the process all over again. Over the years, businesses have tried to find new ways of improving this process and once such way has been to reach out to specialized third-party recruiting specialists like Expand Reach for additional assistance with some of the more difficult searches. However, in our fast-paced economy, businesses are always looking for more ways to be even quicker when it comes to hiring talent for their teams and Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the answer. AI has been transforming nearly every industry by simplifying and automating processes and activities and the same has been happening to the way we are recruiting and hiring today. Let’s explore how AI has already been adopted into recruitment and how it can still be incorporated:
AI isn’t actually something new in recruiting with early forms of AI tools have been readily available to us already. We’ve seen and used early automation tools such as automated messages and interview scheduling, chatbots with automated responses to questions, and optimizing job descriptions and job postings. As AI continues to be developed and do more, there will also be concerns on the opposite side of the spectrum about jobs being taken over. However, it is important to understand that AI is not competing with us for our jobs but are tools and enhancements to how we work and the benefits that comes with incorporating it into our day-to-day work. In recruitment, there are many tasks that are well-suited for AI and automation, while there are other aspects that are better suited for humans. AI can enhance the efficiency and streamline recruitment processes, while humans are more strategic, relationship-driven, better at understanding the interpersonal dynamics, and our experience and knowledge remain important assets that cannot be replaced.
From sourcing, AI can identify qualified candidates with relevant skills and competencies. Once the requirements are inputted by the a Recruiter, AI can search internet for both active and passive candidates, going through thousands of candidates to match the criteria. Because AI excels in handling these types of repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as searching and screening resumes and determine which candidates have the relevant abilities and experience for a specific job opening, it can analyze large amounts of data at a fraction of the time that it would take a Recruiter. The use of AI will also help eliminate any bias as decisions are made based on objective criteria and not subjective judgment, leading to a more inclusive hiring process.
Once a shortlist of candidates has been identified, AI can reach out to all the qualified candiates with an auto-generated email, as well as any preliminary interview questions as part of the screening process. This allows tens or hundreds of candidates to be reached in mere minutes, and AI can also further assess candidates based on qualifications, responses to the questions, and identifying candidates who best fit the requirements of the job. As such, Recruiters feel confident that the candidates they’re presented with are a match on paper and can now focus their time and attention on qualifying candidates for the position.
And when it comes to interviewing, AI can also streamline the process of scheduling interviews by identifying interviewers’ availabilities and coordinate with candidates to schedule multiple interviews. Gone will be the days of going back and forth between the candidate and the interviewer, as days can sometimes pass before a response, and what was once an available timeslot is then no longer available. This will all be done in the background and once the interview is confirmed, all parties involved with simply get a notification or invitation for the proposed interview time.
AI is likely to keep transforming recruitment and talent acquisition, making it more efficient, and it is here to stay. Streamlined processes and an increasingly data-driven focus will lead to quicker decisions and shorter interview times. Human perspectives and experiences will continue to play a crucial role in helping companies thrive and grow, so an adoption of AI is a must for businesses that wish to compete for talent in the present and the future. Furthermore, it is not going to transform the world overnight, but will more likely continue to evolve over the next few years and decade. The important thing for businesses is to starting thinking about AI and how best to incorporate it into improving their recruitment processes. It is crucial to leverage AI capabilities while recognising that it is not a complete replacement for human expertise to gain an advantage in winning the talent search.
Contact Us today to speak with one of our Account Executives and let us help you build your team with the right talent this year!
Photo Credit: Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik