Every week there seems to be another trending news titled something along the lines of ‘AI is going to steal your job’.
We all read this stuff and try to wrap our heads around what the future will look like, whilst also being filled with fear at the thought of being replaced by a robot.
Along with most other industries, recruitment has seen rapid changes come about thanks to AI. Screening is now massively automated, sourcing can happen at the click of a button, and all the admin of CVs and interview organisation has been taken out of our hands.
These sudden changes fuel alarm bells when the media constantly pounds home the message of how we’re all going to be out of work soon, thanks to AI.
But, let’s take a step back for a moment.
The real question isn’t “Will AI replace recruiters?”
Instead, we should be asking “How can recruiters work with AI to build something better?”
Take the humble Google search as an example. A little over 12 months looking for a restaurant online would mean manually reading endless reviews and looking at countless photos to find what you were looking for.
Now we ask Google what the best places to eat are and immediately we have a handy AI roundup of each establishment, complete with pros and cons.
Your answer is found in a fraction of the time.
Transfer this example to recruitment and you’ll quickly realise that it is unlikely that AI is going to completely eradicate good recruiters.
Instead, it will automate and simplify aspects of the job that prevent us from putting more effort into getting results and revenue.
Think:
- Endless hours spent screening unqualified candidates – gone
- Manual data entry into CRMs and ATS platforms – gone
- Following up with candidates who ghost – gone
- Piecing together insights from disconnected tools – gone
When you think of it like this it is no longer a threat but more of an opportunity.
From Tools to Teammates
Over the past few years, ATS and CRM platforms have changed from being passive data storage tools to active, highly-intelligent systems that drive the hiring process. Recruitment is shifting from being reactive to proactive and it’s down to these two, and how they’re transforming the industry.
ATS platforms can proactively highlight top candidates, ranking them not just by keyword matches but by their actual intent and whether they would be a good fit.
CRMs keep candidates engaged, even when working at scale. They can do things like send personalised and timely messages… without manual labour of doing so.
Without you even realising, workflows become seamlessly automated and analytics become readily available that allow you to judge candidates who are actually in the ring ready to accept offers. The ones who are willing to ghost you get sent to the back of the line.
To stay ahead of the game we all aim to work smarter, not harder. We need space and time to focus on the things that drive growth and revenue and AI has the ability to assist us massively in achieving this.
What This Means for Recruiters
Let’s be honest: the recruitment industry has been due for a transformation. Too many tools, too much admin, not enough time for the one thing that truly matters — people.
AI gives recruiters the breathing room to:
- Build stronger relationships, with both candidates and hiring managers. You don’t have to spend hours inputting data anymore. Your time is freed up and, with this, you have the space to focus on having meaningful chats with clients and candidates to strengthen your relationships.
- Focus on employer branding and candidate experience allowing you to streamline a candidate’s journey and ensure that every touchpoint reflects your brand and values.
- Become data-driven talent advisors, not just CV readers so you can offer advice to hiring managers based on real stats… not just gut instinct.
It’s about reclaiming the human side of recruiting, the part no machine can replicate.
Looking Ahead
Change, in all forms, always brings about an element of discomfort. It’s inevitable.
The discomfort is highlighted when we’re told that this change is going to mean things are being taken from us… which seems to be the main trajectory of AI…. or, that’s what we’re told.
You have two choices. You can let the fear prevail and be left behind by the industry that is adapting to this new norm rapidly.
Or you can welcome AI into your organisation and notice the benefits it can bring.
The rise of AI in recruitment isn’t a threat to fear. It’s a wave to ride. It’s a chance to redefine what it means to be a recruiter, to build smarter tools, and to deliver better outcomes for companies and candidates alike.
Let’s not waste time worrying about whether AI will take our jobs. Let’s focus on how we can use it to elevate our industry — and everyone in it.
A quick, responsive process is what you need to attract and engage the best talent.
At Rectec we help organisations to find the best Applicant Tracking System, best Recruitment CRM, or best HRIS to suit your needs, accompanied by our unique complementary technology marketplace, to help you build the perfect recruitment tech stack for your business.