Is AI Slowing Down Talent Acquisition?

Research from Robert Half finds that the majority of HR leaders are reporting that AI generated job applications are slowing down the hiring process.

The research, which surveyed 1,500 hiring managers in a range of industries across Canada, reveals that 64% of hiring managers say that AI-enhanced resumes are making it more challenging to verify skills, and 89% are reporting heavier workloads. 

Koula Vasilopoulos, Senior Managing Director of Robert Half Canada, says of the findings: “AI is influencing nearly every part of the hiring process. 

“At the same time, the rise in unverified or automated applications is making it harder for employers to move efficiently through candidate pools and verify candidate authenticity.”

Increases in skills-based hiring

According to Robert Half, Gen AI is fabricating or embellishing skills and work history on resumes, which makes it more difficult for HR leaders to spot authentic experience and employee skills. 

To ensure the best possible candidate is hired, many companies are increasing their use of skills assessments in their hiring process and ensuring hiring teams are trained to identify key capabilities.

Cisco, for instance, focuses on skills when hiring by having recruitment teams specialised in specific business functions. This way, hiring teams are best placed to identify unique skill sets. The company also looks for leadership skills when assessing candidates to better develop internal talent pipelines. 

Kelly Jones, Chief People Officer at Cisco, told Business Insider that when hiring: “We want to know, not only have you done these things, but are you intellectually curious? Are you intellectually and emotionally agile? Are you someone who brings your team along with you?”

Many companies are also developing more thorough interview processes to assess for skills, such as Anthropic. 

The company’s interview process often lasts five to six stages, and assesses candidates on their strategic decision making, ability to communicate and their ability to successfully collaborate with AI tools. 

Daniela Amodei, Co-Founder of Anthropic, has said to ABC news that when the company is hiring: “We look for people who are great communicators, who have excellent EQ and people skills, who are kind and compassionate and curious and want to help other people.”

Using AI tools in hiring

At the same time, companies are increasing their use of AI in the hiring process, with Cisco using the technology to schedule interviews. 

Francine Katsoudas, the company's Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer, told Business Insider: “What we have learned is that you can be so much more customised via AI than ever before.”

She continued: “When you can do all that via AI, it’s speed.”

According to Robert Half, 63% of HR leaders say they are using staffing firms for hiring support, and 86% report that those partners have been effective. 

To support hiring challenges, these partners are using advanced tools to verify candidate materials and conducting targeted skills assessments.

Koula says: "This research reinforces that technology works best when paired with human judgment, which remains essential for evaluating talent and keeping hiring decisions timely and on track."