Traditional job applications might be becoming obsolete. Crafting the perfect job application letter is challenging because applicants must convey why they are suitable for the job and stand out from other candidates in just a few lines. Many people now use AI to help them write these letters, and some even use AI to alter their resumes, as a study indicates.
For employers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to extract reliable information from these application letters and resumes. This raises the question: do we still need the classic job application? The Danish company Joe & the Juice has also pondered this and replaced their traditional application process, including the cover letter and resume, with an AI tool.
In the era of AI, job applications work differently. Instead of sending traditional applications, candidates now engage in a brief conversation with an AI chatbot on the company’s website. During this chat, they are asked five questions designed to assess whether they fit the company’s culture and the job requirements. The AI, developed by Sapia.ai, evaluates the candidates based on their responses.
The AI aims to determine traits such as reliability, openness to change, and teamwork skills from the candidates’ answers. Companies using Sapia.ai can then browse through all applicants based on their scores and make a data-driven selection for their organization. This AI-driven process is expected to shorten the application phase by about 33% compared to traditional methods.
According to Sebastian Jeppesen, Head of Global Recruiting at Joe & the Juice, the company plans to hire 40,000 people over the next four years, a task that would be impossible without Sapia.ai. The technology not only saves employers time but also ensures applications are reviewed without human bias. This process has enabled candidates who might have been overlooked to join the company. For example, a 33-year-old architect applied for a shop manager position. Although he did not initially seem to fit the profile, the AI gave him high scores, and he is now one of the company’s top managers.
At the end of the application process, candidates receive feedback from Sapia.ai, including potential areas for improvement. This feature has been well-received. According to Joe & the Juice, 93% of over 55,000 applicants appreciated the insights into their personality assessments and used them to inform future applications.
This shift towards AI in recruitment highlights the changing landscape of job applications. While traditional methods focused on written applications and resumes, AI offers a more streamlined, unbiased, and efficient approach. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that more companies will adopt similar AI-driven recruitment processes, making it essential for job seekers to adapt to these new methods.
Overall, the integration of AI into the job application process represents a significant shift in how companies identify and hire talent. By leveraging AI, companies can ensure a fairer and more efficient recruitment process, ultimately benefiting both employers and job seekers.