The majority of U.S. job seekers want human interaction during the hiring process, according to an April 23 report from Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll; 62% of those surveyed said they’d consider not applying to companies that rely on generative AI.
Although 78% of job seekers say generative AI use is appropriate for tasks such as drafting resumes and cover letters, as well as creating mock interview questions, many still feel concerned about an over-reliance on AI tools by hiring managers. Overall, 73% of job hunters said the benefits of using generative AI during the hiring process aren’t worth the risks.
“AI is undeniably a powerful tool, but its role should be to complement human judgment, not replace it,” Bill Stoller, CEO of Express Employment International, said in a statement. “In the evolving landscape of AI, transparent communication with job seekers about AI’s use and benefits is crucial. Striking the right balance between AI efficiency and human empathy will enhance recruitment processes and maintain the trust and confidence of potential employees.”
In a survey of 1,000 U.S. job seekers, 87% said meeting with a human during interviews is important since AI can’t effectively vet candidates for soft skills such as cultural fit and attitude.
In addition, 84% said they prefer to have a person conduct an initial interview to answer simple questions, rather than AI. About 84% also said they’d prefer their resume and cover letter to be reviewed by a human.
Beyond that, women appear to be less likely than men to believe generative AI is appropriate for some job application tasks — and less likely to use these tools as well. For instance, women are less likely to say it’s appropriate to use generative AI to draft resumes and cover letters, write outreach responses, create work samples and complete an online assessment.
More than 40% of women on the job hunt said they haven’t used generative AI during their job search, as compared to 27% of men seeking a job.
A ServiceNow report from this year also indicated that most job seekers feel uncomfortable with employers using AI tools for resume review or decision-making. Instead, candidates said they prefer for AI to be used as a supportive tool for HR teams, including tasks such as interview scheduling or candidate sourcing.
Although AI may be able to improve the quality of the hire, it hasn’t yet achieved that goal, according to a LinkedIn report. Recruiters agree that AI has improved hiring efficiency, but to improve the quality of the hire, recruiters may be expected to serve as a career coach to guide talent through the process.
