New research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, shows that recruiters in Europe and the US believe AI will be the top force shaping the recruitment industry in the coming years – with nearly three quarters (73 per cent) recognising that they must keep up with technological change to maintain their competitive advantage.
Of the 2,500+ recruiters surveyed across Europe and the US, nearly half (45 per cent) expect to see an increased use of AI and automation in recruitment over the next 3-5 years. LinkedIn data also shows that the number of recruiters who added AI skills to their LinkedIn profiles jumped 14 per cent last year.
Additional data from LinkedIn’s Future of Recruiting report found that 3 out of 5 (62 per cent) recruitment professionals globally are optimistic about the impact AI will have on the industry. The top benefits they see from emerging technologies – such as Generative AI – are freeing up more time to focus on people-centric work (20 per cent), improving productivity (18 per cent), and making it faster and easier to engage directly with candidates (18 per cent).
While hiring has slowed across the world, half of hiring managers across Europe expect attrition to increase this year, and around two-thirds (67 per cent) of professionals in Europe say they are considering changing jobs in 2024.
Recruiters are readying themselves for the rebound. The vast majority (87 per cent) of recruitment professionals in Europe and the US feel confident in the strength and resilience of the recruitment market. To keep pace with technological change, just over a third (35 per cent) of recruiters say they are experimenting with emerging technologies such as Generative AI.
“Businesses rely on recruiters to source the talent they need to thrive,’ notes Adam Hawkins, Head of Search & Staffing, EMEA & LATAM, LinkedIn. “t’s positive to see recruitment professionals embrace new technologies such as Generative AI which is giving them an edge and helping them to provide a better candidate and client experience. Not only is the technology helping to improve productivity and remove the drudgery from day-to-day work, but it also holds the potential to really raise the bar in recruitment – with our data showing Generative AI can increase candidate engagement through greater targeting and personalisation.”
Jo-Ann Feely, Global Managing Director for Innovation at AMS, commented: “Although we are still at the start of seeing what this technology can do, AI holds huge potential for the recruitment industry, not least unleashing a productivity boom. A great example of this is AMS One, the RPO Operating System, which is AI powered using advanced analytics to provide data insights to give real-time information on skills availability, market conditions as well as optimum engagement strategies – taking cost-effectiveness into consideration. Partnering with LinkedIn’s AI-assisted messaging, to improve candidate engagement, enables AMS teams to better source, attract and engage the talent our clients need for business success. LinkedIn is by far the biggest tool for a recruiter, and we are excited to see how they continue to innovate.”
LinkedIn expands AI-powered tools for recruitment and learning
LinkedIn data shows that generative AI tools can help recruiters to be more efficient and to more effectively connect with candidates. Since LinkedIn launched AI-assisted messages in May 2023, LinkedIn data shows that recruiters using the tool have seen a 40 per cent higher InMail acceptance rate from job seekers and AI-assisted InMails are accepted over 10 per cent faster by job seekers. Three quarters (74 per cent) of AI-assisted messaging users report that it saves them time, two-thirds (65 per cent) agree it helps increase engagement, and most (56 per cent) agreed that the AI tool helps them build stronger connections.
To further help recruitment professionals across the world, LinkedIn has begun rolling out AI-Assisted Messages in French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, and will be rolling out to all Recruiter-supported languages by next year.
LinkedIn has also today announced the pilot of expert advice, powered by AI, to help provide personalised guidance to each learner. With AI, learners can choose a select instructor – from experts like Alicia Reece, Anil Gupta, Dr. Gemma Leigh Roberts, and Lisa Gates – and ask a question on topics they specialise in like relationship management, global business strategy, well-being and career development. Each response will be personalised based on a learner’s title, career goals, and the skills they follow on LinkedIn Learning.
