Why Hiring Managers are Seeing the Pros of an AI-savvy Candidate
The utilization of AI (such as ChatGPT) for crafting resumes has become increasingly prevalent. Just this past week there was a viral social media post detailing a ChatGPT hack to get a resume past corporate screening tools. It was met with mixed reviews, but the popularity of the post shows just how much people are turning to AI to gain an edge in their job applications. The process comes with both advantages and drawbacks, so it's important for hiring managers to be well-informed about the practice. We’ve outlined just three pros and three cons below for the sake of brevity, but there are and will be more in the years ahead.
Pros:
Efficiency and Consistency: AI offers efficiency by rapidly generating well-structured and consistent resumes. This saves valuable time during the initial screening process and helps present the candidate information more uniformly. You may already identify an AI-produced resume and cover letter as soon as it crosses your screen.
Keyword Optimization: AI-generated resumes often incorporate relevant keywords and phrases, aligning them with job descriptions and industry standards. This increases the chances of these resumes successfully navigating Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and demonstrates the candidate's alignment with the role.
Enhanced Diversity and Inclusivity: AI-written resumes prioritize skills and experience over personal details, reducing potential bias in the initial screening process. This promotes diversity and inclusivity by focusing on qualifications rather than demographics.
Cons:
Lack of Authenticity: AI-generated resumes might lack the personal touch and authenticity of human-written documents. They can miss the unique personal narrative and passion that can set candidates apart. There are advantages to hiring applicants whose personality will fit your corporate culture.
Over-Reliance on Technology: Relying solely on AI for resume creation may suggest that candidates lack essential communication and writing skills, which are often critical for roles that require effective written communication.
Risk of Misrepresentation: There's a risk that candidates may manipulate AI-generated resumes by including false information or exaggerating their qualifications. Without human oversight, discrepancies may go unnoticed, leading to poor hiring decisions.
Government Regulations:
Government regulations may have an influence on the practice of candidates using AI for resumes. Some countries and regions have data privacy and anti-discrimination laws that might affect the use of AI-generated resumes. For instance, in the United States, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has guidelines in place to prevent discrimination based on race, gender, age, or other protected characteristics. The United States government is also drafting regulations for companies using AI to screen candidates to prevent bias and discrimination and increase transparency. Additionally, data protection regulations, like the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), may impact the handling of personal information in AI-generated resumes.
So do you hire someone who used AI to create their resume? In summary, hiring managers should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of candidates using AI for resume writing. While it offers efficiency, keyword optimization, and increased diversity, AI-generated applications may also lack authenticity, encourage over-reliance on technology, and pose risks of misrepresentation. Compliance with government regulations and guidelines related to hiring practices is essential to ensure fairness and transparency in the hiring process. A balanced approach, incorporating both AI and human judgment, is key to making informed hiring decisions that align with your organization's values, culture, and legal obligations.
One of our clients had this conclusion: If a candidate uses this tool effectively in producing a well-written application, they could be to your advantage. You could be hiring someone who knows how to work more efficiently, freeing up company time to work on more important items.
Of note: This article was originally created using ChatGPT and then edited by VIMY HR. It saved us probably three hours. Upon learning ChatGPT wrote the bones of this article, our Lead Executive Officer had this to say:
"I'm actually quite happy to see us integrating AI tools in our own processes to ease workflows. While nothing replaces human imagination, it certainly helps with making better connections." - Vered Levant