The AI Conundrum: Navigating the New Frontier in Job Applications
In the highly competitive world of tech recruitment, a single data science vacancy at a US health tech company has attracted an astonishing 3,000 applicants this year alone. The top contenders are subjected to a rigorous and complex task assessment, which only a select few manage to pass, according to an anonymous recruiter at the company who lacks authorization to speak publicly.
The recruiter suspects that some successful candidates may have leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the problem. Peculiar wording, self-disclosed AI usage, and instances where individuals struggled to address questions about the task in subsequent interviews raised red flags. “Not only have they wasted their time, but they wasted my time,” the recruiter laments. “It’s really frustrating.”
The Overwhelming Influx of Applicants
It’s not unusual for tech positions to attract hundreds or even thousands of applicants in today’s job market. The sheer volume of eager job seekers presents a formidable challenge for recruiters and hiring managers who find themselves inundated with applications.
Seven recruiters and hiring managers across various industries, including tech, shared their apprehension about the emerging technology with WIRED. The lack of transparency surrounding AI’s decision-making process and its history of biased outcomes raise concerns.
“To a job seeker and a recruiter, the AI is a little bit of a black box,” says Hilke Schellmann, whose book The Algorithm looks at software that automates résumé screening and human resources. “What exactly are the criteria of why people are suggested to a recruiter? We don’t know.”
The Rise of Generative AI Tools
Despite the uncertainties, generative AI tools designed for both recruiters and job seekers are gaining traction. LinkedIn recently introduced a feature that generates job descriptions based on a few key details provided by the user.
Editor’s note: WIRED has partnered with Jobbio, a dedicated career marketplace for WIRED readers. Companies who want to advertise their jobs can visit WIRED Hired to post open roles, while anyone can search and apply for thousands of career opportunities. Jobbio is not involved with this story or any editorial content.
2 Comments
So, paper resumes are making a comeback? Vintage vibes are cool again in recruitment!
Guess we’re going back to basics, huh? Sounds like a tech detox in the hiring world!