While attracting and retaining the best talent is a strategic priority for companies, AI and data are proving to be strategic allies in optimizing recruitment processes, reducing delays and improving the candidate experience, redefining the role of HR Director. According to a recent study carried out by iCIMS, a SaaS software publisher specializing in talent acquisition, 4 out of 10 professionals say they save between 1 and 3 hours of work per week thanks to AI. This progress, although modest in appearance, reveals more profound transformations in talent management practices and priorities.
AI: an optimization tool and not a replacement
The study, carried out among 500 recruitment professionals in France working in companies with more than 1,000 employees, shows that AI is now an integral part of their daily professional life: less than 1% of the professionals surveyed say they do not have it. to use.
However, 34% of them fear that AI will make their job obsolete. For Amandine Reitz, European HR Director at iCIMS, the time savings recorded will above all allow them to devote themselves to more human tasks with higher added value:
“On the contrary, we see that it opens up new perspectives. Indeed, by freeing up time on certain tasks, AI allows Talent Acquisition experts to evolve their roles and refocus on the essential: human support and the provision of value in each interaction”.
Faster and more inclusive recruitment
The recruitment process is often long and expensive for companies. Hiring the right candidate quickly is a necessity for them: the average recruitment time has increased from 49 to 47 days.
Beyond speed, the study highlights the evolution of business priorities:
- 82% of organizations interviewed are taking specific measures to attract female talent;
- 55% are actively recruiting employees over the age of 55with a view to generational diversity;
- 91% adjust their approach to appeal to younger generations, such as Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Practical case: Kingfisher
iCIMS gives the example of Kingfisher, a British retail group specializing in home improvement and DIY. Well known through its brands such as Castorama and Brico Dépôt, the group receives more than 500,000 applications each year for around 20,000 vacancies.
The iCMS Applicant Tracking System allows Kingfisher to better understand the behaviors and expectations of its candidates. HR teams have visibility into hiring data for specific teams, functions, and roles, as well as other metrics such as internal engagement, employee performance, and more.
Thanks to simple and fast onboarding experiences, they quickly identify the most engaged candidates and recruit technical profiles faster than their competitors, reducing the refusal rate of job offers from 1 in 6 to 1 in 20.
The recruitment time for difficult positions has been halved, going from 42 to 21 days in one year.
Amandine Reitz comments:
“Having access to reliable data allows you to better monitor developments in the recruitment market and meet the needs of talent acquisition teams. Whether it’s simplifying operations, strengthening company culture, or providing a seamless, personalized candidate experience, the use of data empowers HR teams to take a proactive approach to building the best teams. Today, successful recruitment depends on the integration of new technologies, the ability to make rapid decisions and the resilience of teams in the face of constant developments.
