7 Ultimate Advantages of Chatbots in Recruitment

Laurenzo Overee
Latest posts by Laurenzo Overee (see all)

The verdict is out: chatbots in recruitment seem likely to become a mainstay in modern hiring and talent acquisition processes. These AI-driven marvels attract potential candidates based on your company culture and job criteria without missing a beat. 

But how much do you know about the power of recruiting chatbots? Is your team fully capitalizing on the technology to maximize that precious talent acquisition ROI? 

The curious Ongig team has dug deep into the fascinating world of chatbots in recruitment. We present seven advantages of the tech and share how organizations have leveraged AI to gain a significant advantage in candidate engagement. But first, let’s take a peek under the hood of AI chatbot technology. 

What Drives Chatbots in Recruitment?

Artificial intelligence is an abstract and, to some, inaccessible process. While on the surface, we know the technology is known for its reliability and consistency, but what exactly fuels it? Concisely put, these automated solutions work with training models that process and interpret data to mimic human interactions.   

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

You might have heard of AI algorithms, which are programs that guide chatbots on how to perform a particular function. For example, an algorithm enables chatbots in recruitment to schedule interviews, guide the application process, and answer candidate questions. On that final point, chatbots often leverage a specific algorithm that involves a function known as natural language processing. 

As long as you’ve ever been in a social situation, you’ll understand how human communication is a complex and nuanced phenomenon. NLP equips the chatbot with the know-how to respond to these complex scenarios by applying context. 

With NLP algorithms in place, recruiting chatbots can optimize their first contact with the best talent across the most complex hiring campaigns. NLP assesses the details of a candidate’s syntax and linguistic expressions to offer the most efficient responses. 

Advanced versions of NLP even enable chatbots to decipher vague or poor candidate interactions. As such, NLP allows employees to leave a winning first impression on potential employers regardless of their communication skills. 

Machine Learning (ML)

Recruitment chatbots also leverage the limitless possibilities of machine learning (ML). And this goes beyond the logical limitations set by rule-based AI. Rather than “learning” by pattern or fixed rules, ML chatbots can generate dynamic responses based on retained information. 

ML chatbots offer candidates relevant answers to their most pressing job search concerns based on their replies, personalizing the application process for the best outcome. Now that we have established the two pivotal mechanisms of chatbots in recruitment, let’s dive into their technological advantages!

#1 – Reduces Candidate Screening Biases

AI chatbots in recruitment empower skills-based hiring campaigns by eliminating the most widespread biases in human interactions. Particularly, removing unconscious/inherent biases that sway talent acquisition decisions during the initial interview. These often involve a mix of prejudices like gender biases, ageism, and the halo or horn effect where employers mark a candidate based on a single trait.  

A machine-learning-based screening process ensures that recruiters focus on candidate skills, qualifications, and experience rather than these non-job-related “distractions.” Chatbots can also lead candidates to other automated AI solutions. This can include asynchronous interviews where candidates have the flexibility of recording their answers to preset questions. 

These AI-driven interview methods review subtle aspects of candidate behavior, such as their tone and facial expressions. These provide fair assessments that qualify individuals based on merit to provide better opportunities in advancing them through the selection process. 

As such, with chatbots in recruitment, you can significantly broaden your talent pool, attracting the best job fit regardless of their personal background. Doing so maintains compliance with the latest diversity and inclusion standards at work. As such, it becomes easier to address pay equity issues and equal employment opportunity (EEO) practices. It also helps with tracking diversity metrics in talent management. 

#2 –  Optimizes Talent Communications 

The tireless function of chatbots ensures that your organization engages candidates without delay. These seamless communications can significantly increase job seeker interest in a job opening, and improve conversion rates. One job market research survey revealed that 60% of candidates abandon a job application due to the lengthiness of the hiring process. 

Your chatbot’s dynamic and 24/7 presence on your career site or job boards retain an applicant’s interest throughout the online engagement. By doing so, you provide each applicant with an optimized candidate experience. Thus, showing them how much your organization cares about the well-being of each future employee.

#3 – Improves Efficiency by Handling Repetitive Tasks

Talent acquisition is a challenging process that involves time-consuming steps (e.g., performing background checks and screening CVs) that reduce the efficiency of talented recruitment teams. Recruitment chatbots can help improve overall cost savings by handling these repetitive tasks at scale while data-driven programming minimizes errors.

For instance, a recruiting chatbot can blast text messages (i.e., interview invitations) to the best talent based on preset requirements. That way, your hiring team can focus on developing talent acquisition strategies while entrusting recruitment chatbots to handle the initial hiring stages. 

Why fret over answering the barrage of FAQs (i.e., knowledge base management) posed by prospective employees when chatbots can do that in a fraction of the time. AND, it also records contact information for swift follow-up? Recruiting chatbots can also expedite hiring in other TA areas such as:

  • Onboarding support – Chatbots can provide candidates with a structured list of policies, procedures, and employee perks and benefits that prepare them for the company culture. 
  • Candidate feedback collation – AI recruiting chatbots may feature built-in tracking that follows candidates through their application journey. These functions record applicant feedback and responses to facilitate quick intervention of the hiring team if required to improve conversions. 
  • Data reporting – An integrated AI chatbot program can immediately upload candidate responses and details to ATS and HRMS for smoother decision-making in business intelligence practices.  

#4 – Enhances Employer Branding 

Employer branding can help your enterprise attract the most dedicated and skilled hires by securing their interest in becoming a part of “the story.” An HR chatbot reliably strengthens branding based on your culture. Thus, avoiding the risks of conversations going off-script and potentially chasing away your prospective hires. 

Essentially, the objectivity of recruitment chatbots prevents confrontations and dissatisfactions in any conversation between your organization and hires. You could also deploy conversational AI that checks for equity in the interactions during your hiring processes, resonating with any individual qualified for a role. 

According to one LinkedIn research study, strong employer brands experience a 43% decrease in cost per hire. As such, integrating an efficient chatbot in recruitment could directly boost your overall talent acquisition ROI! 

#5 – Improve Applicant Sourcing Outcomes

Recruitment chatbots offer unmatched accessibility that seems particularly effective in engaging passive candidates. After all, the low commitment of interacting with a responsive bot appears less daunting and more assuring than speaking with a human recruiter. 

Advanced chatbots can also support applicants in structured text messages that facilitate a frictionless application process on different platforms. For instance, your company could integrate a recruiting chatbot on job boards or official social media pages to engage potential hires from diverse sources. 

Essentially, the convenience and versatility of recruitment chatbots make it easy for hiring teams to implement multiple interactive touchpoints that guide candidates along the job search journey.      

#6 – Access Nuanced Candidate Data

Did you know quick and immersive conversations with recruitment chatbots also provide human recruiters with valuable insights for optimizing talent acquisition strategies? An AI-powered recruitment chatbot can collect subtle details such as how candidates respond to certain qualifying questions in first-stage interviews. 

Chatbots achieve this through machine learning and NLP, extracting critical candidate information such as relevant career experience and skills, while assessing their sentiments (e.g., whether a candidate seems enthusiastic or disengaged) from the conversational flow. Your chatbot can secure the query information, and identify underlying candidate concerns while analyzing and interpreting workforce trends. 

#7 – Appeal to Gen Z Candidates

Numerous industry reports have indicated the growing impact and influence of Gen Zers within the workforce. These mostly point to one salient characteristic – tech savviness. Being immersed in tech makes many Gen Z hires more predisposed to various forms of online communication that have led to cultural shifts at work. 

With Gen Z expected to make up 27% of the global workforce by 2025, recruiters need to update communication techniques for the best hiring outcome. On that note, social surveys reveal that 73% of Gen Z use their connected devices mainly for texting and chatting. 

AI recruiting chatbots can help create a comfortable setting that’s familiar to Gen Z applicants. You could rely on chatbots to collect basic information such as a candidate’s name or resume, and casually initiate pre-screening questions. 

AI Recruitment Chatbot Case Studies 

Live chat on mibile phone

We have now rounded up the general advantages of chatbots. So, let’s see how top organizations have enhanced their talent acquisition efforts with measurable success. 

IKEA

International furniture retailer IKEA experienced a slump in their hiring campaigns in Switzerland, which led to an alternate, data-driven approach. The innovative solution involved an AI chatbot that leverages the WhatsApp messenger app. Ikea utilizes the chatbot to guide the best candidates through various stages of the job search and onboarding process. 

Ikea’s chatbot included quizzes and employee storytelling elements that familiarised job seekers with the company culture. The solution also automated personalized alerts that prompted applicants on the availability of new openings for roles according to their profile. These interactive implementations led to a 10% improvement in candidate conversion rates and doubled the number of monthly applications.   

Mastercard

Payment processor Mastercard implemented an AI chatbot solution that elevated the candidate experience by automating the interview scheduling process. The cost-effective solution resulted in 5,000 additional interviews scheduled within 24 hours of the request. 

Mastercard’s strategic integration of the AI chatbot and its related technologies enhanced talent acquisition performance, with 900% more candidate profiles and 11% higher conversion rates compared to industry competitors.

L’Oreal

Cosmetics giant L’Oreal implemented smart hiring with their AI chatbot named Mya, which handles the first stage interview of job applicants. L’Oreal processes qualified candidates through Seedlink, another AI-driven technology that assesses a person’s job fit based on their answers to open-ended interview questions. 

The multi-tiered AI approach to talent acquisition supported L’Oreal in fulfilling and exceeding the demands of their large-scale internship hiring campaign. Here they also sought to fill 15,000 new positions annually. L’Oreal’s campaign achieved a 40-minute reduction in the average time spent on each application and a significant increase in workforce diversity.   

Nestlé

Similar to the Mastercard approach, Nestlé leveraged conversational AI in automated interview scheduling that enabled the HR team to accelerate the recruiting process at scale. The recruiting chatbot named Olivia integrated with the company’s human capital management software, time savings, and improved candidate experience. 

Nestlé stretched their limits of talent acquisition within a year by reducing an 8,000-hour process while achieving a 600% increase in interviews (an estimated 25,000 scheduled interviews).    

The Secret Recipe to Recruitment Success

Join our team

All this talk about chatbots’ unmatched efficiency in recruitment makes it seem like a surefire solution aimed at replacing human recruiters. Right? At first glance, it might seem that way, but reality paints a much different picture. 

While AI chatbots can function tirelessly to schedule the best talent and interact with every potential applicant, it isn’t foolproof. Chatbots, or any type of AI, still operate based on data, regardless of the efficiencies of their learning models. As such, chatbots still lack the creativity and spontaneity characterized by human interactions. 

Taking a Hybrid Approach

And let’s not forget that there’s always a risk of inherent errors buried within the AI’s training data. For example, hiring biases may persist in the chatbot’s algorithm. Thus, resulting in potentially offensive exchanges that repel your most talented candidates. 

For the best recruitment results, we recommend using chatbots for initial candidate engagements while conducting late-stage interviews through face-to-face interactions. A blend of AI consistency and contextual human intervention ensures that you’ll never overlook the most qualified job seekers while preventing data inaccuracies. 

Combining AI Technologies

AI technologies come in many forms, each expediting the talent acquisition process through seamless candidate engagement. Ongig’s Text Analyzer platform integrates seamlessly with recruitment chatbots and business platforms like your applicant tracking system (ATS) and human resource management system (HRMS) for optimized hiring. 

Text Analyzer’s advanced algorithm makes it effortless to detect the subtlest signs of bias, jargon, or any other factors that compromise your job descriptions (JDs). For example, our intuitive platform includes a gender bias meter that rates your JD content. This also makes it effortless for you to identify hidden issues and edit your content for your campaign needs. 

Chatbots in Recruitment: Integrating Chatbots with Existing Recruitment Tools

Combining chatbots with recruitment technology like ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) or CRM (Candidate Relationship Management) platforms is a great way to enhance your recruitment process. It helps hr professionals manage time-consuming tasks while focusing on finding the most qualified candidates for each open position. So, let’s explore how this integration works and the key benefits it offers.

Streamlining Initial Screening with Chatbots in Recruitment

A hiring chatbot can handle initial candidate screening by reviewing resumes, matching skills to job requirements, and shortlisting the right candidates for a particular role. So, this use of AI technology eliminates time-consuming tasks. Thus, saving valuable time for your recruiting team. Therefore, by addressing candidate queries in real time, chatbots ensure candidates get the relevant information they need about job openings.

Answering Common Questions with Chatbots in Recruitment

Chatbots act as virtual assistants, answering common questions about the hiring process, company policies, and work experience requirements. So, this reduces the need for a phone call or customer support from your team. Using AI to create a conversational interface also ensures a smooth user experience, improving the overall candidate experience.

Chatbots in Recruitment: Enhancing Integration with ATS and CRM

When integrated with ATS, chatbots can automatically update candidate profiles, track applications, and organize data for better talent acquisition professionals. CRM integration also helps nurture relationships by sending personalized updates to candidates through social media platforms or email. So, this ensures that the best chatbots improve both the customer experience and the overall efficiency of the recruitment strategy.

Maintaining a Human Element with Chatbots in Recruitment

While chatbots can automate various tasks, it’s crucial to maintain a human touch during key stages, such as interviews or delivering personalized feedback. A chatbot can also handle administrative tasks. However, HR professionals should provide the personal touch when building trust with candidates. Therefore, balancing human interaction with chatbot capabilities is a key feature of successful recruitment.

Boosting Quality of Hires and Reducing Hiring Time with Chatbots in Recruitment

The integration of chatbots and recruitment tools ensures a quicker hiring process without compromising the quality of hires. So, by automating tasks like initial screening, updating job postings, and engaging with candidates, chatbots help identify top talent faster. This significantly reduces hiring time, giving your organization a competitive edge.

Chatbots in Recruitment: Try Before You Commit

Many chatbot providers offer a free trial to help companies evaluate how the technology fits into their processes. Testing features like conversational agents, recruitment technology compatibility, and best practices for your organization’s needs can improve the overall experience for both candidates and talent acquisition professionals.

Why I Wrote This?

At Ongig, we empower hiring teams with innovative AI solutions that optimize talent acquisition through data. Our Text Analyzer platform eliminates inconsistent and biased JDs so your organization can consistently promote the most positive candidate experience that draws top-quality hires. Request a demo with Ongig to start standardizing and enhancing your JDs at scale today!

Shout-outs:

by in AI Recruitment