Nearly one in four organizations reported using automation or AI to support HR-related activities, including recruitment and hiring, according to a 2022 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). According to Gartner research, 76% of HR leaders believe that if their organization adopts and implements AI solutions, such as generative AI, in the next 12 to 24 months, they will soar in organizational success compared to those that don’t.
Recruiting teams increasingly leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline and expedite their hiring processes, ultimately reducing time-to-hire. From applicant tracking systems and resume screening software to pre-employment assessment tools and video interviewing platforms, AI tools can enhance efficiency, improve candidate experience, and make data-driven decisions to build a solid and diverse workforce.
What is Generative AI?
There has been a lot of buzz about generative AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing chat, and Google’s Bard AI assistant. Generative AI, short for generative artificial intelligence, refers to a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new, original content rather than solely analyzing and processing existing data. It involves using algorithms and machine learning techniques to generate new data or outputs that mimic or resemble human-created content. In simple terms, generative AI is a technology that can create new things independently.
It’s an exciting technology that opens up new possibilities for innovation. However, it’s essential to use generative AI responsibly and ensure it aligns with ethical guidelines, as it can have implications for privacy, fairness, and bias. If you’re considering using AI for recruiting, SHRM has a resource on How to Create the Best ChatGPT Policies to ensure your employees are cautiously proceeding.
In a February 2023 survey from ResumeBuilder, business leaders said their companies already use generative AI to facilitate hiring; 77% say it helps them write job descriptions, 66% draft interview questions, and 65% respond to applicants. Other areas to consider: include content for social media posts, drafts of various documents for onboarding, and candidate outreach emails.
How AI Can Be Used to Accelerate the Recruitment Timeline
In the recruiting lifecycle, automation has advanced to the point where it can help streamline just about every facet of recruiting, screening, and selection. Here are just a few areas where AI can help speed time-to-hire:
Automated Resume Screening.
AI-powered applicant tracking systems (ATS) can automatically screen and rank resumes based on predetermined criteria. This helps recruiters quickly identify the most qualified candidates, reducing the time spent manually reviewing resumes.
Candidate Sourcing
AI tools can search through vast databases, social media platforms, and professional networks to identify potential candidates who match specific job requirements. This significantly speeds up the initial candidate sourcing phase.
Chatbots for Initial Screening
Chatbots equipped with natural language processing (NLP) capabilities can engage with candidates in real time, asking pre-screening questions and providing information about the role. This helps in quickly identifying candidates who meet the basic criteria.
Predictive Analytics
AI algorithms analyze historical hiring data to predict which candidates are more likely to succeed in a particular role. This helps recruiters prioritize candidates more likely to be a good fit, reducing the time spent on interviews and assessments. Insights from real-time data can also help you reduce ad spend, optimize candidate targeting, and see where your competitors are spending ad dollars.
Related: Demystifying AI in Recruitment and Hiring
Automated Interview Scheduling
AI-powered tools can automatically analyze interviewers’ schedules and candidates’ availability to suggest and schedule interview times, eliminating back-and-forth communication.
Assessment Tools
AI-driven assessment tools can evaluate candidates’ skills and knowledge through interactive simulations or tests. This enables quicker evaluation of candidates’ capabilities.
Reducing Bias in Selection
AI algorithms can help reduce unconscious bias by focusing solely on candidate qualifications, allowing recruiters to make more objective and efficient hiring decisions.
Offer Letter Generation
AI can automate the process of generating offer letters and other necessary documents, reducing administrative tasks and speeding up the final stages of the hiring process. This is where generative AI comes in – and the output is only as good as the ask. For example, you can ask ChatGPT to write an offer letter for a specific position at a particular salary, then modify the output to add specifics and other information. It’s a sort of draft that isn’t precisely dependable or factual, but it can give you a starting point that makes writing an offer letter, job description, or job posting easier.
Candidate Relationship Management
AI can personalize communication with candidates, send automated updates and engagement messages, maintain interest, and speed up the recruitment pipeline.
Related: How Automation Increases Your Candidate Experience
It’s important to understand that AI is a tool but cannot be depended on for factual information (unless you give it more specifics), and generative AI and other tools like chatbots are precisely that: tools. End-to-end, a human still needs to be involved in the process.
By integrating AI tools into various stages of the recruiting process, recruiting teams can significantly reduce the time-to-hire while ensuring that the quality of hires remains high. This technology accelerates the hiring process and frees up recruiters to focus on building relationships, interviewing, and evaluating candidates more effectively.