A new report from Greenhouse indicates artificial intelligence is creating doubt among the globally dispersed workforce.
The hiring process can be stressful, not just for organisations, but for the individual who may be unhappy in their current job, may have left a previous position or who are waiting patiently for that next big opportunity. For that reason, it is crucial that companies take into consideration the anxieties that often accompany a job hunt.
Hiring platform Greenhouse recently released the results of a survey in which it gathered data from more than 4100 candidates, recruiters and hiring managers in Ireland, the US, the UK and Germany. The purpose of the report was to explore the sentiments around the global hiring process, as well as the potential barriers.
What was discovered is that there is a weakening trust in the hiring process among jobseekers worldwide. 42pc of all respondents in this category blamed AI for an increase in their concerns and among entry-level candidates this leaped to 62pc. More than one-third of participating Irish job hunters explained that artificial intelligence has shifted bias from a human recruiter to an algorithm.
The report shows the reduced level of confidence among Irish candidates as Greenhouse states that only 10pc of people trust an algorithm to fairly evaluate them. Further afield, more than half of participating US job applicants believe that an organisation has used AI to evaluate them without telling them.
Widespread concerns
But, as evidenced by Greenhouse’s survey, it isn’t just those on the hunt for a new job that are concerned about AI’s potential to impact the hiring process. 68pc of Irish candidates said that they use AI to tailor their CVs or job applications, leading to a sharp rise in the workload that comes with it. But 71pc of leaders explained that less than half are worth advancing.
Furthermore, many in this position are fearful that artificial intelligence will expose their organisations to cyber risks, making their companies and people more vulnerable. Greenhouse’s survey shows that 78pc of Irish hiring managers are more concerned about fraud now then they were a year ago, ahead of the UK and US.
Ireland currently has the highest fraud anxiety despite having the lowest actual candidate hacking rates. Reportedly, 29pc of Irish job seekers are “hacking AI systems with prompt injections” and 46pc said they would now consider using resume hacks to improve their chances.
To counter this 59pc of hiring managers based in Ireland said they use software to detect candidate AI use. It’s not all bad though, as many organisations are embracing AI in an effort to modernise and simplify hiring methods.
With 62pc of contributing recruiters in Ireland agreeing that application volume has increased, 69pc say that AI can help them move faster and make better hiring decisions, effectively cutting through the noise.
Other challenges affecting the hiring process globally include difficulty distinguishing between qualified and unqualified personnel, limited time and resources, the pressure to hire faster, concerns about authenticity and changing job market trends and requirements.
Commenting on the report, Daniel Chait, the CEO of Greenhouse said, “Our latest data shows that neither side is happy with the hiring process right now. Trust is at an all-time low for both jobseekers and recruiters. Candidates are doing whatever they can to break through the noise, while talent acquisition teams are drowning in so many applications they’re looking for ways to sort through what’s real and what’s not.
“Unfortunately, although all sides are just trying to do their best, our survey shows that the collective result is worse for everyone. Jobseekers use AI to apply to more and more jobs, while employers use it to filter candidates back out again. It’s an AI doom loop that’s getting worse, not better. Our vision is to build AI for hiring that is more human and that helps solve systemic problems on both sides.”
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