HR leaders battle AI-cluttered resumes as staffing firms step in to vet candidates
Artificial intelligence is reshaping hiring — and, according to research, it is also slowing it down for many Canadian employers.
According to a recent Robert Half survey, 61 percent of Canadian HR leaders say reviewing AI-generated applications has made the hiring process more time-consuming.
The research also reports that 64 percent of hiring managers say the increased volume and authenticity concerns of AI-generated resumes are creating notable challenges for their organization, as generative AI tools are fabricating or embellishing work history and skills and making it harder to distinguish authentic experience from AI-generated content.
Human resources departments are feeling the greatest impact.
Nearly 9 in 10 HR managers report heavier workloads, and many organizations are adding steps that extend hiring timelines, including spending more time reviewing applications (43 percent), increasing the number of interviews per candidate (42 percent) and updating job descriptions to discourage generic responses (39 percent).
“AI is influencing nearly every part of the hiring process,” said Koula Vasilopoulos, senior managing director at Robert Half Canada.
She said more unverified or automated applications “make it harder for employers to move efficiently through candidate pools” and to “verify candidate authenticity.”
As organizations look to maintain hiring speed and accuracy, Robert Half reports that 63 percent of hiring managers are using staffing firms specifically to help navigate AI-related hiring challenges, and 86 percent say these partners have been effective.
These firms are primarily helping by leveraging advanced tools to verify candidate materials, conducting targeted skills assessments and delivering pre-evaluated, specialized talent quickly for high-priority roles.
According to Robert Half, staffing firms like it also provide talent with proven skills and experiences based on proprietary candidate performance data from prior engagements, giving employers greater confidence in candidate quality.
Vasilopoulos adds that the findings “reinforce that technology works best when paired with human judgment.”
She said employers rely on that judgment to evaluate candidates and make timely hiring decisions.
