AI is everywhere, and recruitment is no exception. From improved job matching to automatic candidate submissions, AI has the potential to transform staffing, making the hiring process faster and more efficient. With 51% of firms having already experimented with AI, the industry is on board. But does talent feel the same way?
To find out, we surveyed over 2,400 global contingent workers on their recruitment experiences – including their thoughts on AI-powered recruitment tools – in our new GRID 2024 Talent Trends Report. Below, find out what they had to say about working with AI, and then check out the full report for the complete picture of what candidates expect when working with staffing firms.
81% of candidates would be willing to work with an AI-powered recruiting assistant if it sped up the process
Most of today’s talent already have experience with AI, even in their job search. Over half of the candidates surveyed reported that they have been informed that their staffing firm is leveraging AI in the recruiting process, with the highest percentage (62%) coming from those working in the light industrial space.
But while candidates are largely ready to embrace AI, that hinges on whether it can actually provide the value they’re looking for – namely, faster responses, better job matching, and a streamlined recruiting process. Talent is ready for AI, but firms need to get it right.
Millennials and Gen X are most comfortable working with AI
Across all verticals, our report showed that millennials and Gen X talent consistently reported being most comfortable working with an AI-powered recruiting assistant. But that doesn’t mean other generations aren’t ready for AI; across the board, 60% of candidates are comfortable with AI handling the entire recruitment process, from finding the right job to getting paid.
Here’s where candidates are most comfortable working with AI:
63% of candidates working with AI said they received faster responses
The good news is that of those candidates who have worked with AI, most of them have had positive experiences, especially when it comes to cutting down on the time they spend waiting for responses. Our same report showed that candidates want timely communication, with 89% wanting their recruiter to reach out more than once a week.
To increase candidate loyalty, firms can lean on AI to send personalized communications to the right candidates at the right time, screen and source candidates more quickly, and provide a faster, more efficient recruitment experience.
49% of candidates working with AI said the jobs were more relevant to their experience
Nearly half of all candidates who already work with AI reported being matched with jobs that are a better fit with their existing experience, with the highest percentage coming from those working in professional staffing. (Additionally, those in professional staffing were also the most likely out of any vertical to report that working with a firm that uses AI made them more likely to want to work with the firm again.)
Although many firms are just getting started on their AI adoption journey, these promising results are no surprise. Because AI can be trained on a vast quantity of past recruitment data and look beyond the resume, it’s primed to be a powerful tool for matching candidates with jobs that are the right fit.
79% of candidates would be willing to work with an AI-powered recruiting assistant if it didn’t mean sacrificing personalization
While talent is ready to embrace AI-powered recruiting tools – and the value they provide – they still want the human touch in their recruitment experience. Candidates value the specialized expertise recruiters can provide when it comes to finding the right jobs and choose to work with recruiters based on positive experiences and proactive communication.
AI can help your team maintain consistent, proactive, and highly personalized communication with your talent pool. With AI, you can send tailored check-ins at the right time of the recruitment process, empower candidates to self-schedule time on your calendar, and spend less time tied up with admin work and more time getting to know your candidates and putting them to work.
As AI continues to shape the future of recruitment, it’s clear that candidates are ready to embrace its benefits – as long as it enhances their experience. From faster responses to better job matches, the transformative potential AI holds is enormous. As firms continue to adopt AI, those that are able to get it right and make the recruitment process more efficient while maintaining a personal touch will stand to build a satisfied, loyal talent community.
Reimagine recruitment with AI infused everywhere. Learn more about Bullhorn’s vision for AI-powered recruitment.
