The Dehumanization of Employee Recruiting: Navigating Automated Processes and AI

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation has become increasingly prominent in recruiting. Every podcast, webinar and conference is dominated by discussions of new technologies. While these options promise efficiency and streamlined processes, they have inadvertently led to a dehumanization in the process.

Candidates often find themselves interacting with impersonal automated systems, struggling to establish a genuine connection with the companies they aspire to join. For Talent Acquisition management, it's essential to address this issue because it generates inefficiencies from candidate disengagement, dropouts, and ghosting. By acknowledging and mitigating these challenges, organizations can optimize the recruitment process while preserving the vital human connection that candidates seek.

Impersonalization of Job Descriptions

One of the first encounters candidates have with a potential employer is through job descriptions. However, the proliferation of automated processes has led to the creation of generic, cookie-cutter job descriptions that fail to convey the unique qualities and nuances of a role. These descriptions often lack the personal touch that can make a job opportunity stand out to a prospective candidate potentially eliminating the most qualified candidates from engaging in the process.

Disconnect from Human Interaction

In an effort to expedite the recruitment process, candidates frequently miss out on the opportunity to interact with actual human recruiters. This absence of personal engagement can lead to candidates feeling disconnected and uninformed about a company's culture, values, and mission. The intangible qualities that a human touch brings are lost, potentially resulting in a lack of enthusiasm or commitment from candidates.

Importance of Boss-Employee Relationship

Beyond job responsibilities, candidates are searching for mentors and leaders who can increase their skills and guide their professional growth. The rapport with a supervisor plays a pivotal role in shaping a candidate's perception of their potential within a company. Employers often claim that their most valuable asset is their employees, but hiring managers are absent from the process until the candidate pool has been narrowed down to just a few. Introducing this relationship sooner in the process can help connect candidates to the job and spark interest.?

The Power of Team Dynamics

The synergy within a team is equally important for a candidate's job satisfaction and success. Yet, candidates often lack insights into the dynamics of the team they are set to join. Under the pre-Covid process when candidates spent time on-site interviewing for a role, they had the opportunity to meet potential teammates and co-workers.?This absence of exposure can leave candidates unsure of their fit within the company's ecosystem, leading to disengagement or reluctance to proceed.

Harnessing Informal Video for Connection

To address the replacement of personal interaction with automated systems, Talent Acquisition must reintroduce a human touch. Informal video content is a potential game-changer in this landscape. However, it's crucial to note that short, role-specific videos hold greater resonance than generic corporate videos. Informal, employee-generated videos offer a glimpse into the daily experiences of people in similar roles, helping candidates envision their potential future within the company.

`

Next Steps

Talent Acquisition must navigate the delicate equilibrium between automation and the human touch. The inefficiencies arising from candidate disengagement, dropouts, and ghosting highlight the urgency. By infusing personalized insights, fostering human interaction, and leveraging role-specific videos, organizations can reinvigorate the recruitment process. In doing so, they not only enhance efficiency but also ensure that candidates feel valued and connected, resulting in a mutually beneficial recruitment journey.

Maury Hanigan is CEO of SparcStart, the award-winning video and recruitment marketing platform designed specifically for Talent Acquisition. SparcStart makes employee-generated video simple, secure and scalable. Reach out to see how video can make your entire recruiting process more efficient and successful.