Is the rise in AI job applications a new challenge for employers?

Business leaders are noticing an increase in the use of generative AI for job applications. Some AI-generated applications are easy to identify, but in cases where candidates know how to refine AI-generated text well, businesses may struggle to assess whether or not applicants genuinely have the skills required for the role.

How candidates are using AI

A survey by CharityJob found that out of 2,309 candidates, 46% had used AI in their job applications. Among them, 41% used it to generate a cover letter, 22% for creating a CV, 25% for practicing interview questions, and 11% for completing pre-assessments or work examples.

With the job market currently being competitive, many candidates rely on AI to streamline their own application process for multiple jobs. This can be particularly challenging for small businesses who are recruiting themselves, and that may not have extensive recruitment experience.

Spotting AI-generated applications

AI-generated cover letters and CVs often contain common phrases unless the user provides highly specific instructions. A business owner featured in a recent BBC article highlighted phrases such as “leveraging my skillset” and “aligning with your organisation’s objectives.” A lack of personality and seemingly overly generic statements may also indicate AI involvement.

Balancing AI use in recruitment

While AI can be helpful for improving structure and clarity, over-reliance on it may prevent employers from assessing a candidate’s true abilities. Using AI to refine an existing cover letter could demonstrate resourcefulness, but relying on it for pre-assessments or work samples may misrepresent a candidate’s skills.

If AI applications are something you’re struggling with, one suggestion might be to highlight where you don’t mind the use of AI in job advertisements. Maybe a line similar to ‘We welcome the use of AI to tighten up your writing, but remember, we want to see your personality shine through!’ might be enough to help candidates see where the use of AI is appropriate.

AI’s role in recruitment will continue to evolve. Businesses may need to adapt their hiring processes to ensure they can identify qualified candidates while allowing for appropriate AI assistance. Want to continue this conversation? Come and join us over on LinkedIn!

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