Lengthy Hiring Processes Costing Job Seekers and Employers
Job seekers and employers alike are struggling with lengthy hiring processes, with two-thirds of applicants abandoning applications due to delays. Meanwhile, employers are finding it challenging to fill vacancies promptly, with 65% having hard-to-fill roles open for over two months. The situation has worsened with economic uncertainty, as 55% of employers report increased urgency in finding jobs near me.
The slow hiring process is causing job seekers to lose interest. A staggering 61% find the process inefficient, leading many to drop out. Employers too are feeling the pinch, with over half reporting they've lost good candidates due to delays. Moreover, 41% of job seekers would be less likely to reapply if they don't receive a response during the hiring process.
To tackle these issues, AI is increasingly being employed in recruitment. Around 48% of UK recruitment agencies use AI, with over 75% utilising AI-powered tools to speed up candidate screening and reduce bias. Companies like Unilever and Siemens have seen significant time savings and improved diversity through AI use. Indeed, the job search platform, has launched Premium Sponsored Jobs to fix recruitment bottlenecks, with 'Urgently Hiring' jobs attracting 84% more applications. Employers also believe that direct outreach to matching candidates could significantly shorten hiring timelines for jobs near me, with 82% agreeing on this.
The hiring process is facing challenges due to lengthy timelines, leading to lost opportunities for both job seekers and employers. AI adoption is rapidly growing in the UK recruitment sector, promising to streamline candidate evaluation and application processing, ultimately benefiting both parties.
