The stress and anxiety that come with the arduous task of job hunting can be exhausting, but a complicated job application setup can make many give up on an organization. A lengthy application could be a recruiter’s way of ensuring the perfect candidate is identified. Still, such an approach can also turn away job applicants who are already losing hope of finding employment. Recruiters and HR teams often don’t get to see candidate feedback during the hiring process, which leaves a wide gap in their own understanding of the process and how it is perceived by prospective employees.
Considering the growing presence of artificial intelligence within the workplace, there is a good case to be made for streamlining the application process with AI. The use of AI in hiring is still a taboo subject in many ways, but there are certainly many benefits in using the technology to simplify the hiring experience for both the employer and employee.
PUT AN END TO COMPLICATED JOB APPLICATION SET-UPS: STREAMLINE HIRING WITH AI
A study by TotalJobs from earlier this year found that 45% of candidates abandoned their applications for organizations because they found them to be too long. Around 49% blamed the decision on the lack of clarity on the job skills required to perform the job, while 38% claimed that technical issues with the application form prevented them from completing their applications. This is not the first time we’ve seen such numbers.
In a previous study by Indeed, 49% of job seekers similarly agreed that most job application processes were too long-winded and complicated. Around 33% further added that they would abandon an application if they found it wasn’t user-friendly. This doesn’t just imply a dislike for overly long procedures, but an aversion to repetitive, cumbersome, clunky applications.
Those who are in no position to refuse a job opportunity may often push through despite a tiring application process, but other job seekers with more options or optimism about their careers may avoid your application systems. This can be costly for organizations, especially in terms of losing out on top talent.
THE DATA ON THE JOB SEEKER EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS FLAWS IN THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
A complicated job application process is not just exhausting for employees, but it also complicates hiring for those who have to review these applications as well. Often, employees who do fill in these lengthy applications halfheartedly leave gaps in the information they provide and make faulty entries. This eventually forces recruiters to discard the applications or refill the missing data during follow-up conversations with the candidate.
A quick review of the job role and the application process should be enough to tell you what information is essential at every stage and what aspects of the hiring process can be cut out. Streamlining the hiring process and focusing on the essential details can make it easier to find the right candidates more quickly.
THE FUTURE OF HR RECRUITING CAN BE AIDED BY AI
In 2025, it’s time to do away with complicated job application processes and hire more intentionally. Outdated metrics in hiring are holding your organization back from finding the talent it needs, and the process is further complicated by cumbersome procedures. Employees are generally averse to the use of AI in the hiring process due to their fears about being dropped due to technical errors or unfair AI models that can’t sufficiently evaluate the relevance of their application.
Despite this, if efficiency is guaranteed along with the involvement of a human decision-maker in the process, most job seekers will likely be supportive of AI-powered job application procedures. This task of streamlining applications with AI has to begin with a careful evaluation of the hiring process and the elimination of unnecessary data collection in the initial stage. Once done, the process of hiring can be further bolstered with AI.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS FOR AI TO SIMPLIFY COMPLICATED JOB APPLICATION PROCESSES:
- Refining job descriptions and the required skills for a role with AI tools can help make the expectations for a role clearer
- AI chatbots can be used on company websites to answer immediate questions job seekers have about the role and the necessary details for the application
- AI tools can be used to refine the application questions and check for grammatical consistency to ensure they are clear and easy to understand
- AI tools that can automatically scan resumes and fill in the necessary fields in an application form on the website can help cut down on the time spent filling in available information
- AI prompts and suggestions in the application form can help employees understand what is required of them to fill in the necessary fields
- AI tools can help with acknowledging applications and scheduling interviews with candidates to make the process much easier on the recruiter and applicant
These AI-supported job application changes could help simplify any complex elements of the application process and help the candidate focus their energy on answering job-relevant questions rather than filling in the same details present in the resume. Small changes like these could help vastly improve the number and quality of candidates who apply for a position at your organization, sprucing up the hiring experience for everyone.