Building Better Recruitment Strategies with Bots

October 8, 2018

[ ManpowerGroup ]

Building Better Recruitment Strategies with Bots

What do today’s candidates want? That’s a question employers need to ask, as companies are facing an unprecedented scarcity of workers. A new report from ManpowerGroup found that 45% of employers globally report difficulty finding the skills they need, producing a global talent shortage at a 12-year high.

Employers that attract talented candidates in this competitive environment are breaking through with innovative use of technology. The new 2018 Global Candidate Preferences Survey from ManpowerGroup shows that effective employers are investing in digital tools designed to help prospect, screen and engage candidates, including using artificial intelligence-powered bots to navigate resumes.

Humans aren’t going away in the hunt for talent – but they can get a digital hand from a bot. When human resources receive an overwhelming number of applications, artificial intelligence (AI) can help manage the early stages of interactions in a way that feels more human. This technology investment can enhance the candidate experience.

Chatbots use computer programs designed to hold up their end of a conversation, and this technology can be used in recruitment for preliminary conversations with candidates. The technology is attractive to HR managers who seek a responsive, low-cost means of answering and asking questions of candidates.

For example, a bot might ask applicants about their willingness to relocate for a position, and then respond with follow-up questions to gather data about candidates. Bots augment human power.

It’s also true that bots are still in the early stages of development. Employers who experiment with this technology should understand that the chatbot becomes a representative for your employer brand. It should be programmed in the language, values and concepts that are important to the organization.

Overall, for candidates, bots provide a clear advantage. Chatbots have been linked to higher volumes of completed applications, a higher quality of applicant and an improved candidate experience. A noteworthy example of an HR chatbot is the U.S. Army’s Sargent Star who has answered more than 11 million questions.

The advantage of AI for employers is the ability to combine high-tech with a high-touch approach. For employers to beat their competitors to the right candidates, both are needed.