How AI will change the recruitment sector

While recruitment technology, or RecTech, has been evolving for a number of years, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in hiring accelerated over the last 18-months in response to the pandemic.

As well as the rise in remote working pushing video conferencing software and automated solutions, a renewed focus on diversity in recruitment saw an increased reliance on AI to remove human bias from the hiring process. 

Automation is a huge step-change for recruitment which has traditionally been a manual process from beginning to end. However, with it opening the door to precise, accurate, fast and fair hiring, more organisations and recruitment specialists are embracing the shift to automated processes. 

What does AI allow recruiters to do?

AI can sift through millions of data points, quickly identifying high-potential individuals for open roles. Furthermore, it can be used to scour online career boards, social media platforms and agency databases, enabling recruiters to tap into a wider talent pool to source potential candidates. 

Before the pandemic, AI was predominantly used by larger organisations that received high levels of applications for roles. However, as many people found themselves out of work due to Covid, companies that would previously receive a handful of applications for positions are now seeing significant uptake, with AI providing a quick and effective solution for shortlisting candidates. 

For organisations focused on creating an unbiased hiring process, AI tools that extract specific data points from video interviews have become a go-to solution. Such software can evaluate candidates’ verbal and video cues, comparing word choice, body language, facial movements, and tone to help identify the best candidate without relying on questionable ‘gut feel’. 

Will it replace them?

Of course, where there’s automation, there’s a removal of human intervention. So, will recruiters lose their jobs? A 2019 report said growth in AI will replace 16% of recruitment sector jobs before 2029. While stark, this figure will only be realised if recruiters fail to evolve and enable AI to complement their role rather than snatch it away.

By embracing AI for admin-heavy elements of the recruitment process like sourcing, screening, scheduling and selecting, recruiters can focus on people rather than tasks. We know how important the human touch is in recruitment, and it’s something a machine isn’t able to replicate. Not yet, anyway. 

Your technology-led recruitment solution 

WMP is a specialist consulting service that connects companies across all sectors with the talent they need to grow, innovate and thrive. Our wide range of services, from job board builds to Talent as a Service (TaaS), can be tailored to your precise needs to guarantee real results and ensure maximum return on investment for your business. Connect with our team of experts today to find out what we can do for you.