AI-generated content is ‘dealbreaker’ in job applications, managers say

A majority of hiring managers in the UK view the use of artificial intelligence (AI) content in job applications as the biggest red flag when considering candidates, a new report has revealed.

The survey, carried out by the career resources platform CV Genius, offered an insight into the best approaches to job applications.

Gathering more than 620 responses from hiring managers across the UK, it revealed that 80 per cent viewed AI-generated content negatively.

In addition, almost three-quarters admitted they could recognise when the tool had been used to write an application, with more than a half considering it a “dealbreaker” when candidates used it.

Hiring managers in the legal and computing sectors were the most opposed to AI-generated content. Almost half of the recruiters from both industries said they would “throw out” an application that appeared to be AI-generated.

When dividing results into age groups, zoomers - those born between 1997-2012 - were 67 per cent more likely than older generations to say they would reject the applicant for using AI.

The cutting-edge technology has become increasingly common in the job selection process over recent years.

According to a survey by Resume Builder, four in 10 companies will adopt AI for job interviews by this year, with 15 per cent saying it would select candidates with no human input at all.

Meanwhile, research conducted by Bright Network, found that almost 40 per cent of British graduates used AI to improve job applications.