The job application process can be grueling, and for some, it's a numbers game. However, the rise of AI-powered job application tools has sparked debate in the hiring world.
Are they a job seeker's savior or a recruiter's nightmare? Here's a closer look at this growth industry.
Automating the Job Hunt With LazyApply
Julian Joseph, a software engineer who faced his second layoff in two years wants to hasten his job application process. Determined to streamline the job application process, he discovered LazyApply and its AI-powered service, Job GPT.
With a $250 lifetime unlimited plan, Job GPT promised to apply to thousands of jobs with a single click. All Joseph had to do was provide some essential details about his skills and experience.
AI Efficiency vs. Job Quality
According to Wired, the tool's efficiency was impressive; it applied to nearly 1,000 jobs in one night. However, the quality of applications wasn't always perfect. Some answers seemed guessed, leading to mixed results.
Joseph landed about 20 interviews, a 0.5% success rate compared to his manual applications' 10% rate. Despite the lower success rate, the time saved was invaluable.
Applying for several job positions is hard for other applications. Reentering the same information into various applicant tracking systems, often with minimal results, is frustrating. The average time to hire has reached a record high of 44 days, indicating inefficiencies in the process. Job seekers see these tools as a way to regain some control.
Related Article: LinkedIn Brings AI-powered Writing Suggestions, Job Descriptions
Recruiters Are Not Amazed About AI Bots
Recruiters, however, aren't universally thrilled about these bots. Some view AI applicants as unserious candidates like someone asking out every person in a bar. Others, like Emi Dawson, who runs a tech recruiting firm, focus on the quality of the applicants rather than how the resume arrives. She estimates that 95% of her applications come from unqualified candidates, but her tracking software filters them out.
Competition and Human Assistance
LazyApply faces competition from tools like Sonara, which charges up to $80 per month to automate applications and even offers human recommendations and feedback.
Companies like Massive provide automated applications alongside human application reviews. Some services go further, offering AI-generated cover letters and messages to hiring managers. LazyApply even helps users automate their resignation letters.
For instance, even ChatGPT can write you a personalized cover letter someday. Well, it isn't impossible since you can even make a resume nowadays using Google's Bard.
For some, job hunting is a numbers game, especially for early-career candidates. However, established professionals often find that quality applications and networking are more effective. Referrals still play a significant role in job placement, with approximately one-third of hires coming from recommendations.
You can still try other AI application bots on the internet, but use them at your own risk.
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