Does AI Really Work in Recruitment — or Is It Missing Out on Great People?

At Zest4Talent, we’ve seen first-hand how technology has transformed the world of recruitment. From video interviews to online assessments, it’s never been easier to connect employers and candidates. But as AI tools become more common in hiring, one big question keeps coming up:
Is AI really helping us find the best people — or could it be missing out on some hidden gems?

Let’s dive in.

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How AI Is Changing the Hiring Game

AI has taken over a lot of the repetitive parts of recruitment. It can:

– Scan thousands of CVs in seconds to find candidates with the right keywords or qualifications.
– Automate scheduling, reminders, and interview follow-ups.
– Predict job performance, based on data from past hires.
– Even chat with candidates, answering basic questions through chatbots.

For busy recruiters, this can be a huge help. It saves time, reduces admin, and keeps the process moving smoothly — especially when hundreds of applications come in for a single role.

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Where AI Can Go Wrong

The problem? AI doesn’t think like a human — it just follows patterns.
If those patterns are based on biased or outdated data, the system can end up reinforcing the same issues that humans have been trying to fix for years.

For example, if a company’s past hires mostly came from certain universities or backgrounds, an AI tool trained on that data might unknowingly give preference to similar candidates.
That means people with different experiences — career changers, self-taught professionals, or those from underrepresented backgrounds — could get unfairly filtered out.

And then there’s the human touch. A recruiter might see something in a candidate’s story — a bit of creativity, resilience, or potential — that an algorithm could never pick up. AI might be fast, but it doesn’t have intuition or empathy.

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Finding the Sweet Spot

So, should we ditch AI in hiring altogether? Not at all.
When used well, AI can be a powerful partner. It can handle the time-consuming stuff — like sorting CVs and scheduling interviews — while recruiters focus on what they do best: connecting with people.

The trick is to use AI as a tool, not a decision-maker. Recruiters should regularly check the data for bias, stay involved in shortlisting, and make sure the final choices come down to human judgment, not just algorithms.

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The Bottom Line

AI in recruitment definitely works — but it’s not perfect.
It can speed things up and improve consistency, but it can also miss the spark that makes someone truly great for a job.

At Zest4Talent, we believe the best results come when technology and human intuition work together.
Let AI handle the admin — and let people handle the empathy. Because behind every great hire, there’s still a human connection.

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Want to Find the Right Fit?

If you’re looking for a recruitment partner who combines the efficiency of technology with the warmth of real human understanding, Zest4Talent is here to help.
We take the time to get to know you — and your business — so we can connect you with the people who truly fit.

👉 Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you build your perfect team. 01329 275422 or emailus@zest4talent.co.uk