Navigating AI in Recruitment: The Perks, the Quirks, and the Human Element
As a recruiter, one of my primary goals is to look beyond the surface—past biases, appearances, and poorly written CVs. I value face-to-face interactions to get a complete picture of candidates, including their expressions and body language. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment is reshaping the landscape, offering both opportunities and challenges. Here, we explore three pros and three cons of using AI to grow a team.
Pros of Using AI in Recruitment
Enhanced Ad Copy Writing AI can significantly improve the process of writing job advertisements. With the ability to tailor the tone and style to different audiences, AI tools can create compelling and targeted job ads that attract the right candidates. Imagine having an AI that can switch from Shakespearean prose to millennial slang at the click of a button. “Thou shalt apply forthwith” or “Hey, you! Yes, you! Apply now!”—AI’s got you covered.
Streamlining Content Creation AI can assist in generating the initial drafts of articles, reports, and other content. For instance, as you are experiencing now, AI can help you get the bones of an article together (honestly, it’s just the bones!), providing a foundation that you can then refine and personalise. It’s like having a ghostwriter who never complains about deadlines or coffee breaks.
Efficiency and Time Savings: AI can automate repetitive tasks like interview scheduling, and initial candidate outreach. This frees up recruiters to focus on more strategic activities, such as building relationships with candidates and refining the overall recruitment strategy.
Cons of Using AI in Recruitment
Missing Nuances One of the significant drawbacks of AI is its inability to capture the nuances that a human recruiter can. Facial expressions, body language, and other subtle cues are often missed by AI, which can lead to overlooking potentially great candidates who may not shine on paper but excel in person. Imagine missing out on the next Einstein because his CV was formatted in Comic Sans.
Empathy and Understanding AI lacks the ability to empathise, which is crucial when dealing with candidates, especially those who are part of the 20% neurodivergent population. These candidates might struggle with AI-driven interviews, leading to misunderstandings and potentially unfair assessments. Human recruiters can provide the empathy and understanding that AI cannot. After all, no AI can offer a comforting nod or a reassuring smile during a stressful interview.
The Risk of AI One-Upmanship: With AI becoming more prevalent, tech-savvy candidates—especially Gen Z—might use their own AI tools to craft perfect interview answers, making it harder to see their true abilities and fit. It’s like showing up to a cooking contest with a gourmet meal... that you ordered from a five-star restaurant.
Conclusion
While AI offers several advantages in recruitment, such as enhancing ad copy writing, streamlining content creation, and efficient screening, it also comes with significant drawbacks. The inability to capture nuances, lack of empathy, and the potential for candidates to game the system are critical concerns. As a recruiter who values face-to-face interactions and the deeper insights they provide, it’s essential to strike a balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining the human touch that is so vital in recruitment.
By understanding both the pros and cons, you can better navigate the evolving landscape of recruitment and make informed decisions about integrating AI into your processes.