What would we do without technology? From smart phone apps and streaming video to GPS and online shopping, tech has not only changed how we live, work and play, but in many cases, made our lives so much easier.
At the same time, we know that technology can also have its drawbacks. We’re seeing that firsthand in recruiting, where artificial intelligence, or AI, is often our friend, but can sometimes be our foe.
AI can dampen applicant flow
In the current job market, it’s not uncommon to hear employers lament a lack of applicants, or not enough that have the right skill set, as they seek to fill open positions. While that could be the case, there might be another possibility: technology could be excluding qualified professionals from applying in the first place.
An increasing number of studies show the AI used in Applicant Tracking Systems could be at least partially to blame. The reason: AI can carry a bias. It searches for certain words, qualifications, and skills on a resume; if they’re not found, the resume can be automatically discarded.
As a result, candidates that leave out key words on their resumes, or use different terminology, can be eliminated before a hiring manager has a chance to review their credentials. And, even worse, data shows that minority candidates are being disproportionately affected. In these cases, the same technology that can expedite job searches is also hurting them.
Humans still matter in hiring
Even as technology has improved many facets of the hiring process, it has not – and never will – replace the value provided by an experienced recruiter. There is both science and art to reviewing a resume and connecting the dots, to say nothing of an old-fashioned conversation between an HR professional and a candidate. The insights gained through those methods go much deeper than a software program merely searching for key words.
Perhaps a candidate has a skill set that’s not exactly the same as what you’ve advertised, but is transferrable to your organization. Or, he or she has experience in a different industry that can be tailored to be successful in your company. And, keep this in mind: when employees bring diverse skills, backgrounds, and experiences to an employer, it often creates a more vibrant workforce that can think differently and find new approaches to tackling challenges and delivering results.
At Alaant Workforce Solutions, we love tech. We have access to all of the latest recruiting tools and technologies, and make use of them every day. However, when it comes to attracting and acquiring top talent, we’re proud to rely first and foremost on the proven expertise of our recruiters. Can we help your organization build a winning workforce? Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started!
