AI has become a staple in recruitment, enhancing job matching and streamlining candidate submissions to create a faster, more efficient hiring process. With over half of companies already exploring AI’s potential, the industry is eager for change. But how do candidates feel? A global survey of 2,400 contingent workers delved into their experiences and perspectives on AI-driven recruitment tools, revealing insights into talent's comfort and expectations around AI in hiring.
81 per cent of candidates say they'd welcome working with an AI-powered recruiting assistant if it sped up hiring
Many candidates already have some experience with AI in recruitment; more than half reported being informed that their staffing firm uses AI, with the highest familiarity (62%) among light industrial workers. While candidates seem open to AI, their enthusiasm hinges on seeing real benefits - like faster responses, better job matching, and an efficient process. Talent is ready for AI, but agencies must deliver on its potential to meet these expectations.
Millennials and Gen X talent report the highest comfort levels with using an AI-powered recruiting assistant
But AI readiness spans generations—overall, 60% of candidates are open to AI managing the recruitment process end-to-end, from job matching to payment.
Here’s a breakdown of where candidates feel most comfortable engaging with AI.
63 per cent of candidates who engaged with AI in recruitment reported receiving faster responses, highlighting a positive experience in reducing wait times.
Candidates also value regular communication, with 89% wanting their recruiter to reach out at least weekly. Leveraging AI to send personalised messages, quickly screen and source candidates, and streamline processes can help firms boost candidate loyalty by delivering a faster, more efficient recruitment journey.
49% of candidates working with AI said the jobs were more relevant to their experience
Nearly half of all candidates who already work with AI reported being matched with jobs that are a better fit with their existing experience, with the highest percentage coming from those working in professional staffing. (Additionally, those in professional staffing were also the most likely out of any vertical to report that working with a firm that uses AI made them more likely to want to work with the firm again.)
Although many firms are just getting started on their AI adoption journey, these promising results are no surprise. Because AI can be trained on a vast quantity of past recruitment data and look beyond the resume, it’s primed to be a powerful tool for matching candidates with jobs that are the right fit.
79% of candidates would be willing to work with an AI-powered recruiting assistant if it didn’t mean sacrificing personalisation
While talent is ready to embrace AI-powered recruiting tools – and the value they provide – they still want the human touch in their recruitment experience. Candidates value the specialised expertise recruiters can provide when it comes to finding the right jobs and choose to work with recruiters based on positive experiences and proactive communication.
AI can help your team maintain consistent, proactive, and highly personalised communication with your talent pool. With AI, you can send tailored check-ins at the right time of the recruitment process, empower candidates to self-schedule time on your calendar, and spend less time tied up with admin work and more time getting to know your candidates and putting them to work.
Oncore’s AI Perspective in Contracting Report
Recognising AI's growing role in business, Oncore's latest contractor survey explored contractors’ views on AI’s impact on their careers. While some contractors are excited about AI-driven projects, others approach it with caution or skepticism. Despite concerns about its effects on career development, 73% expressed optimism about adapting to the AI-driven future. Oncore will continue to track AI’s evolving influence on contracting careers in both the short and long term.
As AI continues to redefine recruitment, candidates are ready to embrace its benefits—as long as it enhances their experience. From quicker responses to better job matches, AI’s potential to transform recruitment is vast. Firms that successfully adopt AI to streamline hiring while retaining a personal touch will be well-positioned to foster a satisfied, loyal talent community.
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