Spotting AI-generated job applications

The rise of AI in job applications

As Artificial Intelligence become popular among job seekers, Talent Acquisition professionals face a new challenge: distinguishing between human-generated and AI-generated content.

Excessive use of AI in resumes and cover letters can obscure a candidate's genuine skills, experiences, and unique perspectives, leading to a less effective recruitment process and potentially missing out on top talent.



To ensure your organisation continues to attract and hire the best candidates in an AI-driven world, it's essential to understand how to identify AI-generated content and assess genuine skills.

Identifying ChatGPT-Generated Content

When reviewing job applications, keep an eye out for these telltale signs of AI-generated content:

• Generic phrases: AI-generated job applications often contain phrases like "I am a highly motivated individual" or "I possess excellent communication skills." Human-written applications typically include more specific, personal examples.
• Overly formal, Americanised words: AI-generated content tends to use more formal words and phrases, such as "utilized" instead of "used" (note ChatGPT uses American English, rather than Australian English which is another give-away). "proficient in" instead of "skilled in," or "demonstrated ability to" instead of "showed I can."
• Inconsistent writing styles: If the writing style varies significantly between the resume and cover letter, or within the same document, it may indicate AI involvement.
• Suspiciously polished: Applications that lack the human touch may be a red flag. AI-generated cover letters often feature flawless grammar and vocabulary but may lack the genuine enthusiasm and personal voice of a human-written letter. If it seems too good to be true, it might be.

AI detection tools

As the use of AI in job applications grows, so does the market for AI detection tools. Some current options include:

• GPTZero: Scores the likelihood of AI involvement in a text.
• Originality.AI and Copyleaks: Compare text against databases of AI-generated content.

While these tools are a useful first step, they are not foolproof. Use them alongside your own judgement, considering the content's relevance, specificity, and alignment with the candidate's background.

As AI continues to evolve, stay informed about the latest detection tools, but remember that the most effective approach combines technology with the expertise of seasoned HR professionals.

Assessing true HR capabilities

To best understand a person’s genuine skills, conduct thorough interviews that require specific examples and detailed explanations of their experiences. Assigning practical tests or discussing case studies can help differentiate between AI-assisted knowledge and genuine understanding.

Verify claims made in the application through background checks and references to ensure the candidate possesses the skills and experience they claim.

Embracing AI responsibly

To effectively navigate the age of AI in job applications, you must train your Talent Acquisition team and hiring managers. Provide them with the knowledge and tools to identify AI-generated content, assess genuine candidate skills, and make informed hiring decisions.

While the excessive use of ChatGPT in job applications can be concerning, AI tools can be useful for refining resumes or generating ideas when used appropriately. Establish guidelines for acceptable AI use in your hiring process, and communicate them to candidates.

How can we help

Collaborating with a specialist HR recruiter like The Next Step can help you navigate the challenges of AI in hiring. With over 25 years of experience and the most comprehensive network of Human Resources professionals in Australia, our expert consultants have screened countless resumes and are attuned to identifying genuine talent.

Our team goes beyond filtering resumes by digging beneath the surface to interrogate HR capabilities and validate candidate skills before presenting them to you, saving you time and ensuring you interview qualified, authentic applicants.

To further enhance the hiring process, we offer optional capability and skills testing, not only to remove unconscious bias but also to benchmark HR capabilities against the wider Australian HR community. Our proprietary tools and deep industry knowledge help you make informed hiring decisions, adding rigour to your Talent Acquisition process.

Conclusion

As AI tools like ChatGPT become more sophisticated, HR professionals must continue to adapt their practices for evaluating job applicants. By understanding how to spot AI-generated content, assessing true HR skills, and partnering with specialist recruiters, you can ensure that your organisation continues to attract and hire the best human talent in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Our experienced recruitment consultants can guide you through the hiring process, ensuring you access genuine, qualified candidates who will drive your company's success.