In a survey of 250 UK businesses by CV-Library, 44% said they have seen an increase in job applications driven by AI, or automated bots spamming multiple job vacancies. 

And that is creating a profound problem for the recruitment process when organisations are seeking out the best talent.

30% of respondents said that AI-driven applications mean an increase in lower quality applications; 29% say that AI is leading to generic CVs or cover letters that make it harder to identify the strength of candidates and 23% say that AI has led to more falsification of skills or experience. 

Kelly Simpson, Strategic Partner at talent agency TMP said: “We’ve seen a huge increase in the volume of candidates from AI. Its adding time and cost. I know one role where we saw 300 applications in just 2 days. It’s a spray and pray application approach by candidates.”

The impact of AI use by job seekers is making it harder for businesses to find the right talent and is slowing down the time to hire. 

30% of respondents complain that its harder to identify good candidates, 27% say it’s more intensive to review CVs, and 18% say they are spending more time screening out poor quality applications.

Recruiters are fighting back

Candidates beware, because some recruiters are fighting back. A quarter of respondents say that they are actively disregarding applications that appear AI-written and 22% are making the application process harder or longer in-order to reduce spam applications.

Lee Biggins, CEO and Founder, CV-Library said: “It’s ironic that AI – often billed as driving efficiency and cost savings – is actually having the opposite impact on hiring thanks to the temptation it provides for candidates.

“We’re starting to see an AI battle front open up. Candidates are naturally tempted to lean on AI if they think it can help their job prospects. In response, recruiters are looking to adopt AI tools to help screen and filter CVs. 

“But this is a dangerous tipping point. Organisations hire people and we can’t lose sight of the human in the hiring process. The risk is that we drift into a world where AI is writing CVs and a different AI is rating them. That will make the hiring process even more painful and disheartening for applicants and recruiters alike.”

“That’s where quality of application is so important. Businesses want a shortlist of quality options to choose the best person – not masses of irrelevant skillsets. As a candidate, you can set yourself apart by allowing your own personality to come through.”

How to use AI as part of a job application: advice to job seekers

CV-Library has produced a guide to using AI in the application process to help candidates use AI in a positive way.

1. Don’t spam job adverts, tailor every application. The best advice is always to tailor your application, including your CV and covering letter, to the job for which you are applying.  Read the job description, pick out the relevant skills and make sure your CV and cover letter highlights these with experience and proof points.  Don’t just let a bot spam a generic CV to hundreds of jobs – it wastes everyone’s time

2. Do use AI to add the finish, but not the full picture. AI shouldn’t write your own story for you. Use it to refine structure, check grammar, or clarify your points but make sure the content is your own. AI can’t relay your experiences, skills and personality – only you can do that

3. Don’t use AI for online assessments. These are typically aimed at understanding your unique strengths and personality type – something an AI engine can’t replicate

4. Do use it for research. When preparing to write a cover letter or an interview, AI can be a powerful research tool to pull background information on a business’ performance, strategy and products

5. Do prepare with mock interview questions, but not the answers. AI tools can suggest questions that you should prepare for based on the role for which you are interviewing. Don’t rely on AI to give you the answers though – prepare your own based on your personal career experiences

6. Do keep hold of your personality. It might be tempting to ask an AI tool to re-write a cover letter in a more professional way, but is this you? Recruiters are looking for an individual who stands out. Don’t be afraid to let your own personality shine through

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