London — The growing use of artificial intelligence in job applications is raising ethical questions for both jobseekers and employers, according to a BBC report. As candidates increasingly turn to AI tools to assist with their applications, companies are grappling with how to maintain fairness while managing rising competition.
Tom, a 22-year-old graduate from Maidstone, said he applied for over 200 jobs before securing a position as a restaurant manager. He credited AI tools for helping him craft cover letters and CVs, though he avoided using them during assessments or interviews. “Employers want you to put your absolute best into the application, but if I’m applying for 10 to 20 jobs in a day, the reality is you can’t do that,” he said.
Hollie Moody, head of early careers recruitment at energy firm EDF, described the situation as a “moral dilemma.” She noted that while graduates face a “brutal” job market, the widespread use of AI creates an uneven playing field. “What we don’ have is a level playing field, because what you’ll find is that some candidates will absolutely use AI throughout the whole process, and other candidates won’t,” she said.
EDF recently closed its graduate recruitment scheme early after receiving 12,000 applications, a 10% increase from the previous year. Moody believes AI contributed to this surge, as candidates use the technology more freely in the selection process. The company now provides guidance on appropriate AI use and aims to make its recruitment process as “AI-proof” as possible by focusing on skills-based assessments and video interviews.
The Institute of Student Employers (ISE) surveyed 155 major UK graduate employers and found that 92% had encountered or suspected AI misconduct in the hiring process. The most common violations included using AI as a real-time assistant during video interviews or online assessments. Despite this, many employers are becoming more accepting of AI use in earlier stages, particularly for writing cover letters and CVs.
Stephen Isherwood, joint CEO of the ISE, warned that AI is “driving up the competition and pressure on students” in an already competitive graduate market. He noted that graduate roles currently attract an average of 141 applications each, and while only 16% of employers currently use AI screening, more than half plan to adopt it due to high application volumes.
A trainee accountant, who requested anonymity, told the BBC he used AI in all 50 graduate applications he submitted, but only for research and formatting assistance. He emphasized that he would never use AI to cheat on assessments but acknowledged knowing others who do. “I know people who have applied for 100 jobs and after a while they become desperate. If they see everyone else is using AI, they think how can I compete?”
Employers continue to stress the importance of authenticity and personality in hiring decisions. “It’s about authenticity, but also personality. We want diversity of thought in the business,” said Moody.
COMMENTS