With the recent advances in AI technology, it’s no wonder many businesses are using AI to increase productivity. These days, you can use AI to create images from scratch, write web content, and even scan resumes for you, but should you use AI to scan resumes, and what are the pros and cons of doing so ?
Using AI to scan resumes has become a common practice for organizations to streamline their hiring process and identify the best candidates more efficiently.
However, while AI-powered resume-scanning tools offer significant benefits, there are also limitations and ethical considerations that come with this technology.
Benefits of Using AI to Scan Resumes
AI can scan thousands of resumes in a fraction of the time it would take a human recruiter. This can be a huge advantage for organizations receiving a high volume of applications, allowing recruiters to focus on other parts of the hiring process.
AI algorithms analyze keywords, qualifications, and skills within seconds, identifying relevant resumes more quickly than manual screening.
With AI, it’s possible to filter for specific technical skills, certifications, and experience levels, making it easier to match candidates to job descriptions.
How Does it Work?
Natural Language Processing (NLP) in AI analyzes job descriptions and matches keywords, skills, and relevant work experience in resumes to those requirements, improving the chances of finding well-qualified candidates.
It’s considered by many organizations to be the best way to go through applications, as it removes the chance of human error.
Drawbacks of Using AI to Scan Resumes
AI algorithms can unintentionally carry biases if they’ve been trained on datasets with historical biases, leading to unfair filtering.
Depending on the data that the AI has been trained on, there have even been reports of unfair filtering based on biased data, and even reports of ageism, racism, and sexism through AI resume scanning.
Another key issue with using AI to scan resumes is that it often relies on keywords for screening, which can lead to qualified candidates being overlooked if they don’t use the “right” language.
Some skilled candidates may be filtered out simply because they described their experiences differently. This can lead to a less diverse pool of potential hires and the risk of missing out on talented applicants.
AI can often miss the nuances in resumes, such as achievements that go beyond simple keywords or unique career paths that may add value to a role.
Should You Use AI to Scan Resumes?
The decision to use AI for resume scanning depends on your organization’s goals, resources, and hiring needs. However, with applicants putting in the work to sell themselves on their resumes, you might find AI rejecting that perfect hire who could help your business excel.
If you feel the need to use AI to scan resumes, it’s best to take a hybrid approach, where it handles the initial filtering, but final decisions incorporate human judgment.
By balancing efficiency with fairness and transparency, AI resume scanning can help streamline your hiring process without compromising quality or inclusivity.
