Nearly nine in ten (89%) hiring managers stress the importance of human participation in the hiring process to assess soft skills accurately.
Job Seekers Skeptical of AI-Driven Hiring Practices
New research reveals that a strong majority of U.S. job seekers are wary of companies that lean too heavily on AI during the recruitment process. Nearly two-thirds (62%) would consider not applying to companies that overly rely on generative AI. Almost all (87%) candidates believe that meeting with a human during interviews is crucial, citing AI’s inability to effectively assess soft skills like cultural fit and attitude. Additionally, more than four-fifths (84%) prefer a human to conduct initial interviews and review resumes and cover letters, indicating a desire for personal interaction during the hiring process.
Companies Race to Implement AI Despite Risks
On the employer side, nearly half (48%) of companies are already using automation and AI to replace human roles in filling open positions. Looking ahead, half (54%) of companies plan to aggressively adopt AI over the next five years if hiring challenges persist. Alarmingly, two in five (43%) are preparing to replace a significant portion of their workforce with automation or AI, highlighting the growing gap between corporate ambitions and candidate preferences.
Human Touch Remains Essential According to Hiring Managers
Despite the push toward AI, hiring managers remain cautious. While the majority (83%) acknowledge the benefits of AI in the hiring process, two-thirds (68%) believe that the risks outweigh the rewards without maintaining human involvement. Nearly nine in ten (89%) emphasize the irreplaceable role of human participation in accurately assessing soft skills and the fundamental need for human judgment within the process.
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Research publisher
Express Employment Professionals, from job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception.
Methodology
The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 11 to 26, 2024, among 1,001 U.S. hiring decision-makers. The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 21 to Dec. 10, 2024, among 1,039 adults ages 18 and older.
