Traditional CVs are “no longer enough to stand out” – with TikTok and video applications changing the game, according to a recruitment expert.
The Australian branch of the Hilton hotel chain posted a TikTok last week asking job seekers to post a 60-second video application with the hashtag #hiremehilton.
While few videos have been posted so far, Employment and Recruitment Federation of Ireland (ERFI) President Donal O’Donoghue said the way people hire has definitely changed.
“The traditional CV is not dead, but it's no longer enough to start to stand out in a really dynamic market,” he told The Pat Kenny Show.
“Because of AI and ChatGPT, it's quite difficult to differentiate somebody that's put time and effort into crafting their CV and somebody that pumped it into AI to produce a beautifully scripted CV.”
Artificial intelligence
Bigger companies have also been using AI to filter applications.
“About 10 years ago, Unilever were one of the first movers to start a four-stage [hiring] process where AI got involved,” he explained.
“They moved into gamification – game-based assessments where the candidates would receive a link to play a game on their smartphone and that would look to assess their risk appetite and cognitive ability.
“They then moved to a video interview, which was assessed by AI.
“Only in the fourth stage did they get into an assessment centre where they were meeting with hiring managers.”
Personality tests
AI is also being used in personality tests that test both the kind of answers candidates give and how long it takes to answer them.
“Personality tests are based on somebody's openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and their tendency towards negative emotion,” Mr O’Donoghue explained.
“And if you look at what intellectual intelligence is, it relates to speed - how quickly are you able to absorb information and make decisions?
“A lot of those tests that are very difficult for people at the top two or three percentiles, but they will get through the majority of questions.
“If you've demonstrated the ability to learn skills and adapt to situations, then you have a higher chance of being hired.”
'Old-fashioned CVs'
"Old-fashioned" CVs, however, remain a part of most job applications, although now AI is often used to screen information.
Mr O’Donoghue said job applicants should keep their CVs simple when AI is reviewing them.
“Over-formatting and including your photo are a waste of time because most CVs go into a database that can be sifted and screened for keywords,” he said.
Mr O’Donoghue also recommended keeping your LinkedIn profile updated to show off your latest work and achievements in real time.
