Finding and retaining the best talent is more critical than ever in today’s competitive landscape. HR teams must deliver personalized candidate or employee experiences with accuracy and speed. It's a tall task - given over-burdened teams and resource crunches in most companies. This is where technology in the form of AI can empower HR teams.
Disruptive changes in any industry depend greatly on messaging. Employees may, understandably, worry that technology will replace them completely and make their jobs redundant. Still, even the most cutting-edge technology cannot replace the personal connection needed for human resources.
Against this backdrop, AI through automation can support HR teams – not replace them. AI can free up time for what matters the most in HR – personal interactions, especially in a world of hybrid or remote working. Today’s workforce has vastly different needs. Adopting AI can empower HR teams to meet the demands of a dynamic, rapidly-changing workplace.
When implemented carefully, AI can address some of the most common HR challenges. We break down some of the crucial ones below:
Talent Acquisition
Effective hiring is vital for businesses to grow and add value. Yet, present-day recruitment efforts are plagued by several roadblocks.
For one, the process takes too much time. Studies indicate that filling a role takes an average of 26 days. Talent acquisition involves long cycles of approvals, delays, multiple candidate screenings, and indecisiveness. In addition, hiring tends to have subjective biases. Hiring criteria from a decade ago no longer suffices today.
Businesses must continually market open positions to maintain a competitive edge. Using AI can enhance talent acquisition processes. Imagine being able to find the best people at the right time? AI makes it possible through algorithms that learn complex keywords and terms commonly used in resumes. Based on this, AI can also recommend jobs to ideal candidates – whether organically or through targeted online campaigns.
Interview and screening
Why sift through hundreds of resumes when a digital assistant can do it for you? AI makes scheduling more efficient. Hiring managers can receive upcoming interview reminders along with candidate details. AI gathers historical data to help managers prepare targeted interview questions on skillsets. Data offers context on the role and what kind of questions will provide deeper insight into candidates’ skills.
Onboarding
Onboarding is the critical period between hiring candidates and them joining. Many businesses put all their efforts into recruitment and lose steam after. But did you know that 40% of new employees quit within the first year? Most organizations can turn this around through an effective onboarding process. It does come down to making a positive first impression.
Using AI for onboarding can automate paperwork and official procedures. It eliminates the need to check documents or signatures manually. Automation ensures that HR doesn’t need to follow up on things manually. Digital assistants also enable 24x7 onboarding, helping candidates through registration and the next steps.
Career development
Studies show that Gen Z employees will switch jobs four times before their 32nd birthday. To attract and retain talent, organizations need strategic approaches to career development.
AI can support managers by offering personalized recommendations that meet each employee’s goals. Recommendations are dynamic, evolving with shifting market trends or business needs. With AI, businesses can collect insights and chart individualized career paths.
Analytics
Identifying trends and challenges is vital for any business. Having one-to-one interactions offers tremendous insight into how employees are doing. Yet, the process may not yield accurate results. Several studies show how employees are more comfortable sharing their views via technology - not with managers. AI provides a safe, non-judgmental space through surveys or questionnaires. This data helps companies immediately take action on potential opportunities. Leaders can also address concerns before they escalate.
It's not a matter of if but when companies will increasingly adopt AI and automation. Consider the impact of this change on your people, workflows, and processes. Along the way, it won’t hurt to remind teams that AI can never replace the most highly sought-after skills in HR – problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and empathy.