AI Is Changing the Hiring Process: How to Trick the System
Sigma School
29th August 2024
Job recruiters are now using AI to do most of the work. Ironically, if you rely on AI to answer screening questions, you might be considered unfit for the role.
We’ve seen rapid advancements in AI with the rise of ChatGPT in recent years. Now, they’re already moving into areas like human resources and talent recruitment.
First AI steals your job, next they decide who gets hired.
Corporations are always chasing better, faster results for bigger bucks and AI is helping them do just that. So, do you think you still have an edge as a job seeker?
In this article, we’ll discuss how you can trick the system into hiring you.
Before that, let’s take a look at how AI-powered recruitment puts you at a disadvantage, and how recruiters are using them in the hiring process.
What happens when machines decide who gets to work and who doesn’t?
Best believe your job application is reviewed by an algorithm without a nuanced understanding of your unique story and potential.
Recruiters share some of the blame too.
They’re increasingly relying on AI tools and integration to streamline the hiring process. Here are some of them.
If you're a serial job hunter, you've definitely run into those pre-screening chatbots on job sites. These AI chatbots jump in right after you submit your job application.
Here’s an AI chatbot I came across in 2023 when I was in desperate need of employment:
In the chat, they ask open-ended questions just about anything the recruiter wants to know.
But usually, information that goes beyond the resume. Such as your notice period, willingness to relocate, salary expectations, and so on.
These chatbots help recruiters save time filtering out unqualified candidates for shortlisting early in the hiring process.
Depending on how they handle your responses, it might cost you an opportunity.
I’ve seen it happen—some people, like developers, aren’t big on writing or being wordy, but they can code like pros.
Removing them from the shortlist just because they don’t nail the written questions is unfair to them.
On the bright side, some companies choose not to screen candidates using the AI chatbots that come with the job posting platforms.
Being in the career business, we know ATS or Applicant Tracking Systems have been around for a while now.
Recruiters use it to sort through that massive pile of resumes they get for every job posting down to a shortlist of people who actually stand a chance.
Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz around ATS. If you search “ATS resume” on X, you can see posts similar to this:
Recruiters are selling ATS-friendly resume templates on social media and spreading the word that if you want your resume to get noticed, you’ve got to play by the ATS rules.
ATS on its own isn’t exactly AI.
However, with the rise of AI, we now even have AI-powered ATS systems.
Essentially, the system favours specific keywords and formats. If your resume doesn’t tick all the right boxes, you might get overlooked—even if you’re perfectly qualified.
Recruiters also use AI algorithms to automatically match you with open positions.
Companies aren’t exactly transparent about how they’re using this tech.
So we’re not sure if it’s happening all over the world or certain countries, but we do know it exists.
It makes you really think how much control do you, as a candidate, really have when AI is doing the matchmaking.
Companies are sacrificing depth and individuality for speed and convenience. Candidates and their potential is reduced to mere data points and keywords.
We can say this with full confidence because at Sigma School, we believe in potential—whether it’s our students or our staff.
Many of our team members don’t have degrees related to their roles, and some even started with zero experience.
Yet, they’ve thrived because we value their ability to grow.
Candidates are robbed of their chance to truly showcase their skills and personality to a real person. To most recruiters, you are just another number.
If we had relied only on AI to screen candidates, we wouldn’t have found the digital marketer who took Sigma School’s visibility to new heights.
Or the content creator who gave us 1 million views on TikTok.
They went from zero to a specialist.
It’s proof that sometimes, we need the human touch to uncover potential talent.
For the recruiters out there, let’s be reminded—AI isn’t perfect.
Just earlier this year, we heard about Google’s AI Overview telling users to put glue on their pizza.
It’s safe to say AI still has a long way to go when it comes to making intuitive judgments.
Although, we believe a great recruiter knows better than to rely 100% on AI. You don’t want to miss out on the next big talent just because AI doesn’t recognize the potential.
As someone who’s dedicated to helping students break into software development—regardless of academic background or experience—we’ve got to call out the serious flaw in AI-powered recruitment.
It’s amplifying bias more than ever.
The system is wired to favour candidates with linear career progressions and specific academic credentials.
They don’t look twice at candidates;
Those who break the mould won’t stand a chance.
However, talent should be judged by what it truly is—talent.
We’ve seen firsthand how students from all walks of life can land incredible jobs.
As someone who personally recruits talent, we refuse to lose sight of my candidates’ soft skills and executive skills.
These qualities define the right hiring decisions, and AI just can’t pick up on them in a screening.
The only way to really gauge them is for recruiters to dig into a candidate’s experiences through live assessments, phone calls, and self-recorded interviews.
So if you’re given the chance, make the most of it.
Letting AI decide whether a candidate checks off the usual boxes or throws around the right buzzwords shouldn’t be the standard for hiring or not hiring.
When a recruiter 100% relies on AI for certain parts of the screening process, they might be sacrificing something valuable.
If you’re the valuable talent that recruiters might be overlooking, you’ve got to play it smart to navigate and trick the system.
ATS resume builder helps you generate resumes with optimized formatting.
Alternatively, you can run your resume through an ATS score checker. Or keep your resume simple and clean.
Save the fancy designs and graphics for your portfolio.
You don’t want the system to get confused and toss your resume aside.
If you want to build your own resume, Harvard University has a free downloadable resume template that recruiters love.
Simply search for “Harvard resume template,” and you’ll find it. They also offer tips on how to optimize your resume.
Many companies use AI to screen LinkedIn profiles, so make sure yours is up to date and matches the information on your resume.
A strong LinkedIn profile can boost your chances of getting noticed.
ATS systems are getting smarter, and they can tell when you’re trying to game the system.
Use the keywords wisely.
Overstuffing your resume or job application form with keywords can make it seem unnatural. It won’t help you sell yourself.
A quick workaround is to use LinkedIn.
It lets you add skills from a dropdown. Like this:
Take full advantage of that feature.
No need to start from scratch every time for every job application. Simply tweak it a bit using the keywords that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.
For example, some positions might look for the skill “student affairs,” while others might use the term “student management.”
A little adjustment can go a long way in making sure your resume hits the mark.
In a world where the rules are stacked against you, you’ve got to play it smarter.
The job market is tough, and the competition is even tougher.
AI isn’t going away, and while it may seem unfair, we can’t just give up. If you can’t beat them, join them—and do it well.
To stand out, you need to showcase your talent and ensure you’re visible among the crowd.
Finally, if you're looking to switch careers to software development but worried about the rigid system that favours perfect career paths and formal degrees, you can join our coding bootcamp.
Learn More: What is a Coding Bootcamp
We don’t just teach you.
We help you create a resume that highlights your true potential.
We prepare you for every step of the job application and interview process.
With a list of hiring partners, you’ll be the candidate who stands out and gets noticed.
That or we return your money.
