Job recruitment: Employers opt for machine learning and online tests to pick new candidates

More than 80 per cent of employers say the rising use of technology helps manage high volumes of job applications.

Employers were positive about the use of ‘cognitive gaming’ or online tests, and more than half of those surveyed would like to experience a process where a quarter of the application is enabled by tech whilst 75 per cent is centred on human interaction.

The survey of 1,000 young people was conducted by The 5% Club in association with Schneider Electric UK. The 5% Club is a charity whose members commit to having at least five per cent of their workforce in ‘earn and learn’ training through apprenticeships and graduate programmes.

Machine learning and predictive analysis has become a popular and efficient way for recruiters to identify talent while also removing bias, with 85 per cent of employers agreeing that the rising use of technology helps to manage high volumes of applications.

The survey also suggests a human touch is needed to attract young people in the digital war for talent with young people still preferring an element of human interaction.

Lady Cobham CBE, Director General of The 5% Club said: “Human ‘touch’ points are still incredibly important for the young, with traditional forms of recruitment such as assessment days and face to face interviews favoured as an opportunity to build a relationship and see the company ‘brand’ in person.

“In a candidate driven market and with many competitors vying for talent from the same pool, companies must consider the recruitment process as part of their employer brand.

Part of this means understanding how young people want to be treated during the recruitment process, the tools used to assess potential and the candidate ‘journey’ - often the recruit’s first experience of the company.

Getting the balance right between human ‘touch’ v ‘technology’ is vital if businesses are going to attract the best early talent, like apprentices, and ultimately fill roles, imperative in the current skills crisis.”