UK Recruiters Shift to Face-to-Face Assessments Amid Rising AI Use in Job Applications

UK Recruiters Shift to Face-to-Face Assessments Amid Rising AI Use in Job Applications
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UK recruiters are increasingly moving toward in-person assessments as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in job applications among graduates rises sharply. Teach First, a charity that fast-tracks graduates into teaching roles, plans to accelerate its shift from written assignments to task-based assessments, such as delivering “micro lessons,” to better evaluate candidates’ skills and reduce AI-assisted submissions.

According to a study by Bright Network, the number of graduates using AI in applications has grown from 38% last year to 50% this year. Patrick Dempsey of Teach First attributed the surge to both a softer labor market and AI’s ease in enabling candidates to apply to multiple jobs simultaneously. While AI use often goes unnoticed, recruiters have spotted telltale signs, such as copied text from AI tools like ChatGPT. Other agencies report tactics like hidden keywords on CVs to bypass AI screening.

Despite the rise of AI, research shows a decline in graduate job vacancies by about 30%, intensifying competition for entry-level roles. Experts agree that while AI has yet to disrupt the graduate job market drastically, adapting to AI’s influence will be essential for future job seekers. Reed Group’s CEO James Reed emphasized the need for universities to better prepare graduates for a job market transformed by AI.