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Ten use cases for conversational AI in recruitment

Purpose built AI for your recruitment efforts

Mo Slaoui
16 Apr
5 min read

Automation is nothing new in talent acquisition and recruitment. Neither are chatbots. But Conversational AI is becoming more than a buzz “phrase”, and is already coming to be one of the defining products of the generative AI revolution, and is beginning to reimagine candidate engagement in the recruitment landscape. So what is it, and how can you apply Conversational AI in your business to improve your brand and bottom line simultaneously, as well as elevating candidate experience, transforming productivity, slashing costs and time-to-hire and rapidly improving candiate-to-placement rates?

What is Conversational AI?

Conversational AI refers to the subset of artificial intelligence technologies that enable machines to understand, process, and respond to human language in a way that is both contextually relevant and conversational. This technology employs sophisticated natural language processing (NLP) algorithms, machine learning, and often deep learning to interpret and engage in dialogue that mimics human-like interaction. Unlike traditional chatbots, which typically operate based on rigid pre-defined rules and decision trees that take days, if not weeks to build, conversational AI systems are instantly deployable and can be ever-improving. They are capable of learning from interactions to improve their responses over time, and can handle a broader range of queries with more nuanced understanding to generate replies that are not limited to pre-set scripts. This results in a more dynamic, intuitive, and personalised user experience, simulating a conversation with a human more effectively.

So What are Some Use Cases for my Talent Acquisition or Recruitment Team?

1. Applicant Engagement

By embedding Conversational AI into your website’s career page or job advert, you can begin to engage candidates at the beginning of the discovery journey, answering questions about roles, directing them to roles that may be more suitable, and even prompting them to begin their application.

2. Candidate Pre-Screening Questions

Gone are the days of needing to call up 100 candidates to see if they meet your mandatory requirements, and only to find that no one is available, interested or eligible against your qualifying criteria. Conversational AI can now step in to automate the pre-screening process, engaging with candidates through preliminary questions to quickly identify the most promising prospects so you can focus on building relationships with those that count.

3. Interview Scheduling

Organising interviews can be a logistical nightmare, but Conversational AI makes it a breeze. It coordinates with candidates to find suitable times, books meetings and sends out calendar links automatically. No more back-and-forth emails, just smooth scheduling. Log in to your calendar, and find all interviews scheduled, entirely hands-off.

A proactive conversational AI will even prompt and remind candidates of their interview, support them with questions or interview preparation tips, and even thank them for their time.

4. Requesting Documentation

Collecting necessary documents from candidates often requires constant follow-up. Conversational AI automates this task, requesting and tracking submissions efficiently and via accessible channels like WhatsApp. This ensures that all paperwork is in order well before the next steps in the hiring process.

5. Data Updates & Database Reactivation

You don’t have a talent pool if your candidate profiles are outdated. For most agencies, their CRM is the underlying source of business value. Keeping candidate information up-to-date is crucial, but also time-consuming. Some even hire entire external CRM cleansing teams for this exercise. Conversational AI can reach out to individuals in your database to confirm and update their details, keeping everything current with minimal effort, and via a friendly, personalised conversation, not one-size-fits-all email campaigns.

6. Referral Programs

Leveraging your talent pool’s networks for referrals just got easier. Conversational AI can invite employees to refer candidates, streamlining the process and expanding the talent pool. All of a sudden your pool of candidates just got broader and your candidate sourcing faster.

7. Requesting Feedback

Gathering feedback from candidates after interviews can bring tremendous value to your brand identity but is tedious and often relegated to the bottom of the priority list. In fact, it almost never happens. Conversational AI facilitates this by automating feedback collection, ensuring you have all the insights you need to make informed decisions.

8. Vacancy Marketing

When you have open positions, spreading the word is key. Conversational AI can help market these vacancies across various channels, engaging potential candidates and encouraging them to apply by directing them directly to the application portal.

9. Keeping Profiles Warm

Staying in touch with potential candidates ensures they think of you when looking for their next opportunity. Conversational AI sends updates and keeps the conversation going, maintaining interest and engagement over time, while constantly updating your CRM.

10. Requesting Opt-in for Future Communications

In an era where privacy and consent are paramount, keeping communication lines open with candidates requires their explicit opt-in. Conversational AI can request permission to send future communications, ensuring compliance with privacy laws like GDPR and building a foundation of trust with candidates. This not only aligns with legal requirements but also fosters a positive relationship, as candidates appreciate the respect for their preferences and control over their personal information.

Conversational AI is more than just a technological advancement; it's a practical tool that's transforming recruitment professionals' processes, making them more efficient and less burdensome. By automating mundane tasks, recruitment professionals can focus on what truly matters: building meaningful relationships and strategising for the future. Embracing Conversational AI isn't just about keeping up with the times; it's about setting your practices up for success in the modern world.

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