The modern workplace is defined by rapid technological advancement, and one could argue that no advancement has been as disruptive or influential as artificial intelligence (AI). As small businesses continue navigating the complexities of recruitment, the power of AI has emerged as a formidable tool in finding and retaining top talent. Through AI, recruiters across global markets and industries have been able to streamline the hiring process, enhance efficiency, and unlock unprecedented insights into candidates and the recruitment process as a whole.
While traditional recruitment efforts may have been effective in their time, today’s fast-paced, digitally influenced small businesses demand advanced technology to solve problems such as wasted time, wasted labor, and bias inherent in the hiring process. Whether you are an HR professional for a small business or a small business owner yourself, there is likely untapped potential in using AI for recruitment.
Here are some ways to harness this technology for efficient hiring.
Effortless job posting
Through automation, optimization, and enhanced targeting, AI allows for effortless job posting for recruiters and small business owners. AI-powered distribution technology can spread job postings across multiple channels, including local job boards, social media platforms, and industry-related niche websites. Where recruiters once had to manually post these jobs on each site separately, they can now save time with AI-enabled posting.
AI can also help optimize job descriptions and tailor them to the widest group of eligible candidates, increasing the number of highly qualified applicants and reducing the amount of irrelevant resumes. With optimized job titles and descriptions, recruiters can ensure the largest number of the right kind of target candidates see the job posting. Similarly, keyword optimization through AI can help recruiters use SEO to pinpoint the keywords that job seekers in their industry are most likely to search for, leading their job postings to the top of the heap.
Enhanced candidate experience
Ask any job seeker today about their thoughts about the job search process, and you will unlikely hear many positive comments. Enhancing the candidate experience benefits small businesses by personalizing the recruitment process from the beginning.
With AI-enhanced quick-apply features, video interviews, and mobile-friendly forms, the candidate experience can move from a frustrating and time-consuming application process to a streamlined experience, leading to higher candidate satisfaction. AI can also help small businesses by offering real-time assistance and support, providing everything from answers to frequently asked questions to insights into the job market.
Furthermore, AI can assist with skill testing and development. Many popular job sites like Indeed give skills tests for various typical skills candidates should possess for certain positions—such as typing speed or knowledge of certain medical terminology. AI can help small businesses facilitate these skills tests and offer industry-specific or even company-specific testing and training.
Branded and customizable interfaces
Through a variety of mechanisms tied to AI technology, small businesses can customize and brand their recruitment interfaces for a truly personalized feel. AI-powered chatbots can be customized and integrated into a business website or recruiting site to answer questions candidates may have or help candidates complete applications.
AI algorithms can analyze candidate data to customize communication. Potential candidates may feel a personalized response to their application is far more endearing than the canned responses they are used to receiving. Job postings can also be tailored to the small business’s brand and remain consistent across platforms, creating better brand awareness and engagement from candidates.
Access to a global talent pool
AI can open up a world of possibilities for recruiters. Employers can expand their reach beyond traditional platforms and advertise jobs in various locations, including the availability of remote positions, and target specific regions through strategic ad campaigns.
Advanced AI algorithms can search through massive amounts of data in a short amount of time, benefiting recruiters who cast a wider recruitment net. In this way, recruiters and the small businesses they work for don’t have to worry about not having the time or the staff to sift through thousands of applications—AI can do the heavy lifting for them.
Furthermore, AI can help with language barriers through natural language processing (NLP) by allowing resumes and cover letters to be processed in multiple languages. This, in turn, provides small businesses with another way to diversify their global talent search, especially if they are hiring for remote positions.
In today’s hyper-digital age, small businesses of all kinds are leaping forward with recruitment strategies. Gone are the days of in-person cattle-call interview situations—today’s job seeker can expect a modern, technology-informed recruitment environment as they search for their next opportunity. From personalized, business-specific branding to quick, efficient candidate screening, AI offers recruiters accuracy, thoroughness, and scalability.
Looking at the current job market, it can be tricky for a company to stay competitive. Everyone is clamoring for the same top talent, and standing out amid the heavy competition can be challenging. Yet, as companies learn to infuse technology with a much-needed human touch, candidates can identify recruiters who are not only leading with innovative ideas but also with empathy and transparency.
AI is continuing to evolve rapidly, and as it does, the role it has to play in recruitment is bound to expand, driving better efficiency in talent acquisition than ever before.
Scott Bartnick is the co-founder of Otter PR, an internationally renowned e-commerce and media expert, and the bestselling author of The Five Day Startup.
Interview stock image by Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock
