This is part of a 3 part Blog Series where we talk about the effects of AI in recruitment from each the Candidates, Company and Recruitment Companies perspective - Make sure you check out our other posts!
The Candidate Perspective
Applying for a new role is often a highly emotional and stressful process.For years, the fundamental frustrations for candidates have remained the same: a complete lack of feedback, inherent biases and the feeling that your application was simply lost in a void.
So, it's not unfair for job seekers to be wary about AI and think this could make things even worse - but I want to challenge this thinking a bit, because I think it could do the opposite - Let me explain:
The problem has always been the following:
If a company receives hundreds of applications, securing an interview often comes down to where you sit in the queue rather than whether you are actually the best person for the job.
Furthermore, the initial CV review is frequently handled by someone non-technical who relies on keyword matching, completely missing the context of your transferable skills - this person is usually also extremely time poor.
This is exactly where AI can fix a broken system.
When implemented properly, AI ensures that the best people for the job are seen, regardless of formatting, age, or background. It looks past a missing keyword to understand the actual depth of your experience and can spot opportunities in cross functional skills that traditional keyword matching often misses.
Most importantly, it solves the biggest pain point of all: not hearing back.
AI can allow companies to close the loop with every single applicant well, with good feedback - allowing people to know where they stand.It provides closure, and this is fundamentally one of the most important parts of any recruitment process from a candidate’s point of view.
We forget how emotional, draining and stressful looking for a job can be. For many of us, no job means no food on the table and a whole world that can crash, yet historically closing loops with people is something that has been done incredibly poorly and as an afterthought.
I feel for recruitment teams too - how are you supposed to respond to 100s of applications across multiple positions well, while still focusing on what is the companies desired need and outcome - finding that right 1 person.
BUT by automating the heavy lifting of initial suitability and surfacing the best people for a companies need quickly - hiring teams finally have more time to spend with the people who fit their needs best and close the loops with those who don't.
This is why we created VBench, our AI Talent platform - To help both Applicants and Companies spend more time creating connections, not reduce it and make the hiring process fairer for all.
Some of the benefits to AI (And VBench) for Candidates are as follows:
• It is designed to find the best applicants for the company’s needs - if this is you - you are seen 100% of the time - not lost in a sea of applications• Key word matching has been a thing - historically this was the only way a non-technical hiring team could 'match' a Candidate - Now with AI - every CV is rated by a technical expert, not a word written in a certain way
• CV formatting becomes less important; it is more about the information you have in there. - Wrong font? CV too long? Specific skill not listed? No issues - AI will read between the lines and give you a better chance
• Unconscious & Conscious Bias have always been a thing - human nature says people are drawn to others like them & preconditioned to think in a certain way about others - AI removes this - You are assessed on experience & merit just like everyone else
• You know where you stand at all times - we under-estimate what a big benefit this is
If a company is using AI - do not stress over all the online advice telling you to "AI-proof" your CV. Traditional Boolean/key-word searching was actually far less forgiving and literal. Just clearly state what you do, the tech you use, and what you have built in detail and If the role fits, you will hear back.
And how nice does that sound?
If you are looking for work and want to chat - reach out at any time, we are here to help.
If you are interested in VBench and want to find out more you can find details and a demo at Https://vbench.com.au/
Happy job hunting!