The future of AI within the recruitment industry – how best to prepare yourself
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming one of the most talked about topics in the recruitment world, with AI-driven tools becoming essential for enhancing efficiency and uncovering new ways to source talent.
As AI has become a thing we can't ignore, we ask the question: How will AI affect the recruitment industry and how can we best prepare ourselves for the changes it will bring in the next few years?
What key changes are being predicted?
While automation within recruitment isn’t a new thing, AI is expected to transform the recruitment process in a few different ways:
Candidate screening and matching
The process of sourcing a candidate, reviewing CVs, portfolios and online presence can be time-consuming, especially when advertising for a highly competitive role. AI algorithms are being built to do this in a matter of minutes, comparing the data of a candidate with the specifications of the job role. A few perks of this include reducing human bias and reducing the risk of losing the perfect candidate in a sea of CVs.
Predictive growth
Projecting growth is something every business will do, but it can be hard to predict the future in a volatile market. AI forecasting can work to analyse a business’ growth pattern and trends in the market to help hiring departments more strategically plan for the next hire.
The rise of the chatbot
Perhaps one of the more controversial uses for AI is the utilisation of chatbots. The bots can handle routine candidate interactions, like initial queries and scheduling in those first chats, freeing up recruiters to focus on more complex tasks. Though chatbots can offer instant responses, there is a question of whether this approach loses the human touch.
What can you do as a recruiting expert to embrace these changes?
It can feel like an overwhelming prospect to introduce new technology to your business, but there are a few simple ways you can stay on top of the latest trends:
Engage in continuous learning
Read up on industry reports, articles, and thought leadership pieces on AI’s impact on recruitment. Industry leaders often share their thoughts and innovations on LinkedIn, so be sure to connect with them and spend 5 minutes a day reading up on AI advancements.
Attend expos and conferences
Participating in industry events and expos is a fantastic way to see the latest technology firsthand and gain insights directly from innovators and thought leaders. Be sure to use it as an opportunity to network with fellow recruiters. They can offer their experiences of using AI within the recruiting process.
Experiment with AI tools
Have a go at a few of the AI tools already available. Many of them offer free trials or a demo for you to test out how it might play into your recruitment process. This way, you get firsthand experience to help you determine which tools add the most value to your workflow.
What not to do
Don’t resist for too long
Don’t automatically reject the idea of AI in your business. It can be easy to feel like AI is taking over from your daily tasks, but see this as a pro, rather than a threat. If you find yourself rejecting AI for too long, you may end up losing out on a perfect candidate.
Don’t overdo it
Although your team’s efficiency can be greatly improved by utilising AI, don’t lose sight of the fact that recruitment is a people-focused industry and there will always be a need for human interaction.
Keep ethics at the forefront
Remember, AI is a constantly evolving technology, which can still produce inaccurate results and is not immune to biased actions. Whilst AI is making the process of candidate screening a much quicker and seamless process, use it with caution, and make sure you understand how its algorithms are making decisions and scrutinise any output that doesn’t seem right.
Conclusion
Whether you’re ready to embrace the world of AI in your recruitment business or don't feel ready to take the plunge, you must take your time to research what might be most beneficial for you and your business. If you need assistance building out your Tech, Digital or GTM teams or need help deciding your next move, get in touch with James or Matt today.
👨🏻💻 James Hinsley
👨🏻💻 Matt Meagher