By Lara Gebka, CEO Axia Recruitment.
16th June 2023
In today’s dynamic hiring landscape, finding the perfect candidate for your company can be a daunting task. However, with the advent of AI-powered resume writing platforms, the recruitment process has undergone a significant transformation. These intelligent platforms offer automated assistance to job seekers in creating well-crafted resumes and compelling application letters. But here’s the question: Should you consider implementing (or re-implementing) candidate skills testing to ensure transparency and make informed hiring decisions in the age of AI?
The Impact of AI on Application Materials
AI platforms for résumé and application letter writing have undoubtedly revolutionised the way job seekers present themselves to potential employers. These tools utilise sophisticated algorithms to analyse job descriptions, extract relevant information, and generate tailored content. With the ability to optimise keywords, format documents, and enhance language, AI platforms can significantly improve the quality and overall impact of an application.
No More Excuses for Old-fashioned, Poorly Constructed or Boring Applications
Gone are the days when a terrible resume could be solely attributed to a candidate’s writing skills or limited experience. The availability of AI tools has empowered job seekers to create impressive application materials effortlessly. These platforms not only fix grammatical errors but also provide suggestions to improve sentence structure, word choice, and overall coherence. As an employer, you can expect a higher standard of applications, leaving no room for poor submissions.
Will This Increase The Need for Candidate Skills Testing?
Candidate testing was common when I first started in recruitment, we would test things like data entry accuracy, words typed per minute etc etc and while AI platforms have undoubtedly raised the bar for application quality, it is going to be important to ensure authenticity and evaluate a candidate’s true capabilities. With an increasing number of candidates using AI assistance, it can be challenging for anyone to differentiate between those who genuinely possess exceptional skills and those who rely heavily on AI-generated content. This is where I see the return of candidate skills testing coming back into play.
Candidate skills testing involves incorporating assessments or practical exercises to evaluate a candidate’s abilities and competencies relevant to the job. By implementing skills testing in your recruitment process, you can gain deeper insights into a candidate’s true potential beyond what is reflected in their application materials. It offers a comprehensive evaluation that goes beyond the polished surface created by AI platforms, helping you make informed hiring decisions.
Imagine making a hiring decision based off an impressive resume (AI generated), an impressive interview (candidate nailed it, due to asking AI how to answer the expected questions) only to then get the candidate into the job and learning they can’t write a letter, use excel or communicate effectively “in real life”.
Transparency and Informed Hiring Decisions
Without legislating disclosure of AI usage, would candidates disclose their use of AI platforms during the application process? Consider this: candidates rarely disclose if their resumes were professionally written, even before the rise of AI. Therefore, the lack of transparency regarding AI assistance should not dissuade you from recognising the importance of candidate skills testing.
If you are leaning towards skills-testing, my professional opinion is to set it up early in the process, long-winded recruitment processes are not well received by candidates in a competitive job market.
Embracing Comprehensive Evaluation
In an environment where candidates may be using AI to enhance their application materials, recruiters who prioritise understanding the needs and goals of their clients stand out. My team at Axia Recruitment, go the extra mile to submit only those candidates who genuinely align with the client’s requirements. They excel at matching candidates not only on paper but also on a deeper level, considering factors that cannot be captured by AI platforms alone.
