A Software Finder survey found that 75% of job seekers use AI tools in their applications.
AI is transforming the employment market for both the recruiters and job seekers. A recent study by Software Finder reports that although AI solutions could assist the job seekers in obtaining better-paying jobs, it also prolongs the hiring process and raises concerns over the issue of authenticity.
In an email conversation Adnan Malik, CEO of Software Finder pointed out that increased use of AI in job applications is all part of a wider trend within the recruitment sector.
“Following widespread reports and research, we recognized generative AI’s increasing effect in reshaping the hiring landscape. Tools like ChatGPT have become indispensable to candidates, helping them overcome the tediousness of personalized cover letters and resume creation,” he explained.
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The Software Finder survey, conducted among more than 1,000 hiring managers and job candidates, reveals the following unexpected trends:
- 75% of the candidates utilize AI tools for applications.
- 77% of AI users obtained better-paid employment in comparison with 48% of non-AI users.
- Candidates who used AI took on average 3.3 months to find a job, compared to 2.9 months for those who did not use AI.
- Almost 1 in 4 recruiters would reject job candidates for presenting AI-generated resumes.
Malik noted that the paradox of businesses utilizing AI to save time while holding a hiring bias against employees who use the same tech to get an edge is more nuanced than it appears on the surface.
“It’s less about hypocrisy and more about two sides of the same coin—efficiency for organizations versus genuine skills from candidates,” he said.
The AI Conundrum — Efficiency or Authenticity
Though AI can enhance employability through resume customization with particular keywords and readability for job seekers, the research revealed the challenge of authenticity.
Despite 60% of hiring managers saying that they could tell, the research identified that 75% were not able to distinguish between AI-generated resumes. Nonetheless, they were still 8% more likely to employ job applicants who used human-generated resumes.
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This disconnect creates a challenge for job applicants — how to employ AI without compromising the human element. Malik stated that users of generative AI need to make the AI output richer and more elaborate instead of trusting “first draft” AI-generated content.
“AI should be an enhancement, not a substitute, for personal expertise. True human connection is a key factor to the final hiring decision,” he added.
Julia Arpag, CEO & Founder of Aligned Recruitment — which specializes in tech recruiting — agrees that authenticity is key.
“AI in job applications is definitely a hot topic. We’re seeing more candidates use AI to streamline their applications, but success really comes down to how they’re using it. AI can help with structure and phrasing, but hiring managers still want authenticity — so blindly relying on it [AI] can backfire,” Arpag wrote in a messaging app.
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AI Hiring Trends to Watch in 2025
Arpag identified two expanding trends that she’s noticed across the tech hiring ecosystem:
- AI screening interviews are increasingly prevalent, even as there are complaints regarding candidate experience. “It’s actually a robot who screens candidates for their first-round interview,” Arpag wrote.
- Software engineers are much sought after, with multiple job offers and increased compensation for most positions.
These trends indicate a widening gap between AI efficiency and the need for a human touch. For the applicants, this means finding a balance between using AI to streamline applications and being genuine.
Job Search Strategies For The Brave New AI World
Arpag also presented three tips for job seekers who wish to thrive in an AI-powered job market:
- Network extensively instead of just applying online to career aggregator sites and job boards.
- Beware of AI-led interviews, as these can be a sign of a company’s budget issues or inability to invest in candidate experience.
- Emphasize soft skills during interviews, which help differentiate successful candidates from the pack when hiring decisions are made.
As AI plays a larger role in the hiring process, job candidates must balance the efficiency that AI offers with the authenticity that employers seek. For job candidates, this means not only leveraging AI tools but also refining them to showcase actual skills and experience.
“Ai can open doors,” Malik concluded, “but authenticity and human touch are still necessary.”
