Benefits Of AI For Resume Screening Efficiency

Resume screening is one of the most time-consuming parts of the hiring process, taking an average of 30 work hours per job posting. The amount of time invested has made resume screening one of the most targeted processes for automation using AI. AI recruitment tools have exploded onto the market in the past few years, and now half of all job postings use some type of AI in their hiring process. 

AI recruitment tools allow HR teams to spend a lot more of their time on their top candidates, rather than spending hours sifting through resumes that lack the necessary experience or skills for the position. This shift in HR time allotment has also seen a decrease in the costs associated with new hires for companies using AI recruitment tools. There are numerous benefits for applicant tracking systems; understanding the magic behind the curtain is what will allow you to make an informed decision on AI recruitment tools.

Understanding AI In Resume Screening

When it comes to machine learning in HR, there are two main types. The first is the applicant tracking system. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) were the first type of AI implemented across industries to assist recruiting. These ATS use a simple but effective approach, matching resumes with keywords in job postings. They then score each resume based on how well it matched the criteria set by the recruiter, then spit out a list to the recruiter with the resumes of all applicants ranked by score. This simple but effective tool does a great job weeding out unqualified applicants, but it might also weed out some qualified applicants without the proper formatting or wording in their resume. Effectively, applicant tracking systems prefer resumes that have been optimized for ATS, which has led to the evolution of a new iteration of AI recruitment tools.

The second wave of AI in recruiting is language learning models, similar to a lot of the AI brains that we generally think of when considering AI. These machine learning systems can learn, adjust, and grow depending on the information they’re given. In time, the ability of these systems to learn creates more robust and effective recruitment tools. They do a better job of breaking down resumes and can more accurately score candidates, which is why AI systems have begun to take over the market.

Methods Of AI Resume Screening

Whether you’re using applicant tracking systems or language learning models for your AI recruitment tool, there are three main ways that these systems sort resumes. The first, keyword search, is the calling card of ATS, filtering resumes by keyword density and often giving preference to some keywords over others. This system is effective and great for a high volume of applicants, though it isn’t risk-free, and good applicants may be overlooked. 

The second way AI filters resumes is grammar-based, meaning that the AI can break down sentences for meaning to determine which candidate is most likely to succeed. This system takes time to develop, but once you have an AI in place that can pull meaning from sentences, you have a much smaller risk of missing out on top applicants because of your AI recruitment tool.

The third way AI screens resumes is by using a statistical method. For recruitment, this often means that the AI will look at the time applicants have spent in previous roles, how recent they were in those roles, and even how multiple prior positions come together in a timeline of work experience. The statistical form of AI recruitment tools is certainly involved, but it delivers a much more advanced understanding of each candidate and their past experience.

Enhancing Efficiency With Predictive Analytics

A major way that AI is boosting efficiency in the hiring process is through predictive analysis. Predictive analysis uses data from past hires to help inform current and future hiring decisions. This means that when the AI is given enough information, it’s able to predict which candidates are the most likely to have a successful interview, accept the job offer, and even which candidates will stick with the company in the long run. 

This predictive analysis goes a long way to saving time in the hiring process. When candidates are screened, the AI will take a look at past candidates in similar positions with similar backgrounds and experiences. It will then use this information to predict how successful the company can expect the candidate to be. This data-driven decision-making in the candidate selection process creates a much greater likelihood of a successful hire.

The Impact Of Machine Learning On HR Practices

The efficiency of HR departments is skyrocketing with the introduction of AI. The hours previously needed to parse through dozens or hundreds of resumes have been nearly eliminated, allowing HR departments to approach the resume section of the hiring process with a curated list of candidates. This efficiency boost comes with the improved accuracy in candidate matching that we’re seeing as AI continues to develop. This continued development has increased trust in the scores given to each resume. The addition of skills-based hiring to AI’s purview has allowed AI to give a more nuanced view of resumes beyond keywords and work experience. When you combine continued development and the introduction of nuance to AI, it’s little wonder that AI is having a massive impact on HR practices.

This automation of repetitive tasks has allowed for working hours to be devoted to curating relationships with candidates and other tasks that benefit from a human touch. This automation means that the cost of each hire has decreased, as there is less busy work associated with filling an open position. AI is reducing time to hire through this automation, which gives companies a much greater chance of recruiting top talent. Top talent is averaging only 10 days on the market before being hired, so finding the perfect candidate requires a combination of AI efficiency and human connection. When you put together the reduction in hours during the hiring process and the decrease in turnover from finding the right candidate, AI is freeing up HR budgets across the board.

Addressing Challenges In AI Resume Screening

One of the main challenges facing AI resume screening is its impact on the resume screening process. The prevalence of applicant tracking systems means that some resumes may not even get human eyes on them before they’re denied. This means that the chance for bias is high, especially against groups of people who use certain language or come from certain backgrounds. In order to remove this bias, the initial stages of the interview process still require a human touch.

This tendency for bias means that ensuring transparency in applicant tracking systems is crucial. It’s important to understand the areas where your HR recruitment partner might have shortcomings. If you’re using a keyword search system, for example, searching common synonyms or slang is a great way to ensure that people from all backgrounds are being seen by the system and by the recruiting team. It’s important that everyone understands the way AI functions, because double-checking AI is the best way to make sure no one slips through the cracks.

Future Of Hiring Process Optimization

As AI continues to develop, so too will our interactions with it. Looking ahead, people will become more in tune with the AI they work with. We’ll have a better understanding of what AI is doing for us, and we’ll be able to leverage that information to improve efficiency. This improvement will work the other way as well, as once we gain a better understanding of AI’s function, we’ll be able to direct it better and focus our collective efforts towards the same goal.

AI algorithms will continue to develop as well. We will continue to see hiring process optimization as AI becomes more in tune with how people write resumes and apply to jobs. It will be able to account for quirks in how we write and look past resume elements like structure and style. This more sophisticated AI will allow for a more robust resume screening tool, capable of seeing the person behind the resume and removing a lot of the common biases we see today.

Partner With Premier

Hiring the right person can be an involved and lengthy process, even with the addition of AI to the hiring process. Luckily, Premier is here to help. Our exceptional recruiters are prepared to fulfill your staffing needs at any part of the process. From candidate sourcing to interview guidelines to onboarding advice, Premier can do it all. Learn more today about how we can help you connect with top talent.