If you suspect or detect job candidates using AI in your recruitment process, do you see that as a red flag or a green light? If you reject them, you’re pushing away exactly the kind of forward-thinking, problem-solving people you actually want on your team. More and more job seekers are using AI to explore careers, find opportunities, tailor their CVs, and even prepare for interviews. These are the people who will drive innovation from the inside.
I recently delivered the closing keynote presentation at the AHRI (Australian Human Resources Institute) conference in Perth, talking about leading through disruption and the future of work. One of the biggest topics throughout the day was (surprise!) AI. I was pleased to see so many HR professionals seeing AI in a positive and optimistic way, as a powerful tool they can use in their professional roles.
In contrast, there are many negative stories about recruiters and employers using AI, especially when they suspect or detect candidates using AI to help them in the recruitment process. Things like using AI to draft their cover letters, adjust their CVs to match the position, and even using it as a “coach” during online interviews.
Some employers and recruiters take a dim view of these candidates. But that’s a mistake. You WANT people who are open to AI, excited and enthusiastic about it, and using it to solve real problems. They are exactly the sort of employee you want in your organisation.
In fact, if you see somebody using, say, an AI coach in an online interview, that might be not their first use of AI in the process. It might be the first time YOU see them using AI, but smart and savvy employees are now using AI at many stages of their career development.
For example, they might have already used:
- LinkedIn Career Explorer or JobGether Career Coach to plan their future careers
- Lightcast AI to analyse and review the current labour market
- Jobscan and Adzuna to do AI searches for their preferred jobs
- Work180 to check whether future employers match their personal values
- Rezi Resume Builder to build and adapt their CV
- CoverDoc AI to draft their job application response
- Yoodli AI to coach them before an interview
These – and other – AI-based tools can help candidates on their journey, even before they engage with you.
Aren’t those the sort of people you want in your organisation?
If you want to be a talent magnet and attract the best people, you want people with AI skills. If you reject them, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.
And this is not just about AI. It’s about finding, attracting, and building an employee value proposition that reflects what you offer.
For more, join my free public online presentation about being a talent magnet. I’m looking at the future of work, what employees want, and how you can attract the best people.
It’s free, public, and open to all, so register now.
