New report shows AI's role in screening, interviewing job candidates
Artificial intelligence tools have become a "strategic necessity" for many recruiters in Australia in the wake of surging job applications, according to a new report from LinkedIn.
Recruiters are saying that AI tools have become a career lifeline for them, with 44% saying they could not perform their role without the technology.
Another 74% said AI has changed the way their organisation hires.
"We are seeing a fundamental shift where AI is no longer just a productivity tool, but a strategic necessity," said Adam Gregory, senior director, ANZ, LinkedIn Talent and Learning Solutions.
How does AI help?
The findings come as LinkedIn data showed that applications per open role in Australia have nearly doubled (1.9x) since the market turned in early 2022.
Yet despite the surging volume of applicants, 77% of employers admit that finding qualified talent is harder now than it was a year ago.
This is where AI enters the picture. According to the report, 64% of recruiters said the technology is helping them uncover candidates with skills they would never have found before.
Another 61% said the technology helps them uncover "hidden gems" that they might have missed in the surge of applications.
"It's helping recruiters cut through the noise to surface candidates with the right skills who might have previously been lost in the sea of applications," Gregory said.
AI in interviews
AI is also gaining a bigger role in job interviews, where it brings consistency and speed to early screening, according to LinkedIn.
More than three in four (76%) recruiters said using AI in interviews saves time so they can focus on more meaningful conversations with pre-screened candidates, while 72% said using AI can help standardise interviews and remove bias.
The result is positive: some 63% of recruiters said they are filling roles faster than ever, while 70% said AI's streamlining of initial interview screenings helps teams move quickly.
"By helping the heavy lifting of screening and shortlisting, coupled with human oversight, AI is actually making hiring more human, allowing recruiters to get away from their desks and focus on the high-value conversations that secure top talent," Gregory said.
