Did you know that 74% of the candidates for a job recruitment drop out after starting the job application process? The lengthy process and reams of paperwork are some factors for this stat. How good would it be if technology could present a solution that takes out the tediousness from the entire recruitment process?
Well, technology already has a solution ready that fits in perfectly in this context – chatbots
A chatbot is an AI programme that converses with humans in a meaningful and contextual way. Their ability to be accessible to customers round the clock adds multiple business advantages. They not only elevate user experience but also reduces costs of maintaining full-time customer support personnel.
Because of the immense business value that a chatbot offers, it finds applications in multiple industries. The recruitment industry is the latest one to have enjoyed the benefits of having a chatbot. Mya and Job Pal are two examples of chatbots that are revolutionizing the recruitment industry to a great deal.
Chatbots have evolved to be smart and useful. Right from sifting resumes to answering initial queries from a job applicant, it can do it all without the need for an actual executive to sit in front of a computer to carry out these tasks. It can also determine if a particular job opening is aligning well with a particular candidate during a conversation.
A chatbot is a better option to engage in the initial phase of candidate application. It can save time and get the needed information by taking the course of a natural conversation. This way the high chances of midway drop-outs through the application process can be brought down significantly.
Even if the candidate leaves midway, the chatbot can nudge him/her later on in subtle ways to try and get the entire application process carried out. From scheduling appointments for interviews to sharing information on new job openings and letting the candidate know about the application status, a chatbot can help make the job application process less cumbersome.
The traditional interaction between a recruiter and a candidate is filled with uneasy periods of silence post the interview. A chatbot can help fill this gap by a pre-screening process and making the entire activity an interactive and transparent one.
By instantly providing information on approval or rejection, the candidate can take the next appropriate step. This transparency of application process helps candidates get a quick update on the status of their job applications and reduces a lot of back an forth procedures for the HR management and candidate.
Mechanical tasks such as sifting through resumes, scheduling interviews, and internal coordination are routine yet necessary tasks within the recruitment activity. With a chatbot, all these routine tasks can be easily automated and HR professionals can focus on more complex activities such as employee branding, improving the outreach and other management related aspects.
To wrap up, while many recruiters feel that chatbots are likely to make jobs obsolete, the fact remains that they actually make the recruiters’ job more powerful and effective rather than making them redundant.