Are your talent acquisition teams feeling the heat to find the “right one?”
Of course they are.
With workplaces and workforces in constant flux—coupled with economic uncertainty and a shortage of skilled talent—TA teams are under intense pressure to find the perfect candidates.
They need help, and they often turn to their IT colleagues for tools to make the recruiting process easier.
Enter artificial intelligence and automation—powerful forces reshaping business as we know it, including the world of talent acquisition.
Most Fortune 500 companies have begun using AI and automation tools to streamline the recruitment process, improve the candidate experience, and help ensure compliance. LinkedIn’s Future of Recruiting 2023 report found that 68% of hirers say they are “very hopeful” or “cautiously optimistic” about the impact of AI on recruiting.
Use cases are expanding rapidly with every advance in the technology, and AI is already having a significant impact.
Drafting job descriptions.
Filling an open position typically starts with a job description. AI can be a valuable tool to craft concise, effective, and appealing job descriptions. In addition to writing clear copy, AI can:
- Analyze job description trends and competitive job postings to optimize your content.
- Add a compelling story that highlights employer brand and company culture to appeal to candidates with similar values.
- Deliver descriptions that speak to a diverse audience to aid DE&I efforts.
Screening applicants.
AI-powered “digital workers” designed to carry out repetitive tasks are arguably most useful in the screening process. Digital workers can efficiently review and analyze applications, resumes, and even video interviews to find relevant hard and soft skills, experience, and other qualifications. Without the burden of filtering through countless documents, humans can focus on strategic tasks such as candidate engagement.
One note of caution: AI is rapidly changing how candidates are assessed and selected, and using these tools responsibly is crucial to prevent discrimination. While AI holds great promise here, incorrectly calibrated algorithms can perpetuate existing human biases. Regular checks are required to maintain a level playing field. Notably, more and more states are passing legislation designed to ensure fairness when AI is used in recruiting and hiring.
Improving the candidate experience.
AI and automation can help TA teams become more productive, personalize the candidate journey, and enhance candidate engagement. Common applications include:
- Interactive chatbots can answer questions and guide candidates through the application process. They are always in a good mood, never take a vacation, and stay on duty day and night!
- Customized follow-up emails, interview invites, offer letters, and other personalized communication make a big impact on potential hires and can help maintain a strong connection between the day of hire and start date.
- AI tools are very good at anticipating candidate questions and concerns, predicting their behavior, providing proactive communication, and helping organizations demonstrate genuine interest.
Get the AI talent to attract talent.
To take advantage of AI and automation, you need to outsource for these solutions or develop them in-house. The latter can be a challenge.
According to Amazon Web Services, hiring AI-skilled talent is a priority among 73% of employers, but 75% of those companies can’t find the talent they need.
That’s why Kelly has launched Kelly Arc—a new talent platform exclusively for AI and automation roles.
Kelly Arc is the first app that allows job seekers to search for AI and automation jobs, including contract and full-time positions. It operates like a dating app, matching the best AI and automation jobs with a candidate’s unique skills and preferences—all with a tap. The app itself relies on AI technology—with the support of expert Kelly recruiters—to help employers find the “right one.”
A bright future.
AI and automation aren’t the answer to every challenge faced by talent acquisition teams, but can relieve the burden of mundane tasks, help make better decisions, and improve existing processes. Organizations will need to remember that AI-powered automation—like all technology—is an enabler and enhancer, not a total replacement for human expertise.
But together, TA and AI can have a long and fruitful relationship.
