One job ad, 1000 applicants: How do you stand out in a world of AI job hunters?
Jobhunters using AI to help with their applications are flooding listings, leaving some recruiters sifting through thousands of potential hires for each position advertised.
The flood of AI-generated job applications is overwhelming recruiters, who are struggling to identify the most suitable candidates. David Cunningham, Squirrel's chief executive, has seen thousands of applications for a single role, most composed using AI. Squirrel employs AI tools to filter these applications, focusing on work experience and cover letters, which they often discard due to their generic nature.
Associate professor Paula O' Kane from the University of Otago has encountered similar challenges. She advises candidates to keep their cover letters concise and highlight their most relevant skills and experiences. However, the key to standing out lies in authenticity and relevance. Applicants should use AI for initial drafts but ensure their final application reflects their own voice and unique qualifications.
Employers, on the other hand, are wary of false negatives – missing out on a suitable candidate – and false positives – accepting an unsuitable one. Hayley Pickard, Fortitude Group's managing director, notes that AI has made it easy for applicants to craft polished CVs and cover letters for numerous positions, but these applications often lack substance.
Instead of trying to outpace AI-generated applications, candidates should focus on demonstrating relevance, providing concrete examples, and maintaining an authentic tone in their application.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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