The job application process has become increasingly complicated with the advent of generative AI. Both recruiters and applicants are leveraging this technology, making an already challenging process even more daunting.
According to a recent report by TechRadar, job applicants are going to great lengths to stand out in a crowded job market. A campaign by insurer Hiscox revealed that over half of recent job applicants admitted to using AI tools to write their resumes. Alarmingly, 37% of these applicants didn’t bother to correct the embellishments made by AI chatbots, such as exaggerated experience and fabricated interests. Furthermore, 38% confessed to outright lying on their CVs.
This trend highlights a concerning new normal where applicants use AI to create a ‘perfect candidate’ to secure job interviews. ‘AI can help many candidates put their best foot forward… but it needs to be used carefully,’ warned Pete Treloar, Hiscox chief underwriting officer, in an interview with TechRadar.
It’s not just job applicants who are using generative AI; recruiters are also outsourcing interviews to AI avatars, which can be flawed. A recent report by Fortune highlighted the story of a former software engineer who was replaced by AI and struggled to find new employment. Out of 800 job applications, he scored ten interviews, several of which were with AI bots.
The use of AI in job applications is creating frustration and raising concerns about fairness. Hiscox’s findings indicated that 41% of applicants believe AI gives some candidates an unfair advantage, while 42% think the technology misleads employers.
Now that the use of AI in job applications is becoming more prevalent, it’s unclear how the process will evolve. While it’s become easier to embellish or lie on resumes, those who do so risk serious consequences, including immediate disqualification, damage to their professional reputation, and potential lawsuits. It’s crucial to remember that even if ‘everyone’s doing it,’ getting caught can have severe repercussions.
For more information on the misuse of AI, see our article on law firms being penalized for using ‘bogus’ AI-generated content in court.
