With AI on the rise (hello GPT-4o), we’re asking the question that’s on every employers’ minds: can AI really help with the recruitment process?
When it comes to the workplace, we understand that you want what’s best for your business. And, with the rise of the robots, can they really identify what you need better than, well, a human?
Can it truly help you find the perfect employee?
Here’s why we think the answer is, and will remain, categorically, ‘no’:
Can AI Find You the Perfect Employee?
At HR Star, we conducted an experiment to see what AI would define as the ‘perfect employee’ — confident in our view that technology wouldn’t be able to replace a human workforce.
From sifting through applications and identifying the most suitable candidates to interview, to making a formal job offer and preparing all the necessary paperwork for a new team member, the hiring process can often be an expensive and time-consuming process.
With the current AI boom seemingly affecting almost all sectors, it’s seen many employers turn to AI to help streamline the recruitment process —but can AI’s interpretation of what makes the perfect employee be trusted?
Well, to find out, we put AI to the test!
As part of our investigation, we asked ChatGPT to outline the character traits that would make the ‘perfect’ employee — and it gave us a rather comprehensive list.
AI suggested the key characteristics of that ideal enigma would be:
1. Technical Competence
Skills and Expertise: The perfect employee has the necessary technical skills and expertise relevant to their role. They keep their skills updated through continuous learning and adapting to new technologies or methodologies.
Problem-Solving Abilities: They possess strong analytical skills and can approach problems methodically, finding effective and innovative solutions.
2. Personal Qualities
Adaptability: They are flexible and can adjust to changing circ*mstances and new challenges with ease.
Proactivity and Initiative: They don’t wait for tasks to be assigned but take the initiative to identify and address needs or opportunities for improvement.
Reliability: They are dependable, consistently delivering high-quality work on time, and can be trusted to follow through on commitments.
Work Ethic: They are diligent, motivated, and demonstrate a strong commitment to their work and the company’s goals.
Communication Skills: They communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, and are good listeners who can engage in meaningful and productive dialogue.
3. Interpersonal Traits
Team Player: They collaborate well with others, contributing to a positive and productive team environment. They are supportive of colleagues and willing to share knowledge.
Emotional Intelligence: They are aware of their own emotions and those of others, which helps in managing interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.
Cultural Fit: They align with the company’s values and culture, fostering a sense of belonging and contributing to a cohesive workplace.
4. Mindset and Attitude
Passion and Enthusiasm: They are passionate about their work and the company’s mission, which translates into high levels of engagement and enthusiasm.
Customer Focus: They understand the importance of customer satisfaction and strive to provide excellent service, whether dealing with internal or external customers.
Resilience: They can handle stress and setbacks without losing motivation, maintaining a positive attitude even in challenging situations.
5. Continuous Improvement
Learning Agility: They have a growth mindset, always looking for ways to improve their skills and knowledge. They embrace feedback and view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
Innovation: They are open to new ideas and approaches, and contribute creatively to the company’s development and problem-solving processes.
6. Leadership Potential
Influence and Inspiration: They have the ability to inspire and motivate others, even if they are not in a formal leadership position.
Decision-Making: They make informed decisions confidently and can take responsibility for the outcomes of those decisions.
And, let’s be honest, if you found someone who ticked all those boxes, you’d hire them in a flash, right?
The Perfect AI Employee
Kelly Tucker, our founder here at HR Star, shared her views on this all-seeing, being and doing character.
She said: “AI provides a framework for identifying traits that are broadly desirable in the workplace, but expecting any individual to show all of these characteristics is an unrealistic expectation.
“Each person brings their own strengths to a role, and it’s about finding the right balance of qualities that fit within the culture and needs of a business. A holistic approach to recruitment ensures inclusivity in the workforce and is reflective of the real world.
“We use AI tools like ChatGPT here at HR Star, and we appreciate how helpful it is in terms of time-saving and productivity. But when it comes to managing people, in particular, we believe a human touch is always needed.
“For example, if you ask ChatGPT to write a letter to an employee to let them know that they’ve passed their probation or to terminate their employment, it will do it — and quickly — but it won’t deliver these messages in a way that shows emotions such as appreciation or empathy.
“A human touch is vital to ensuring the optimal final delivery of messages like these.”
AI Generated Character of the Perfect Employee
To continue our experiment, we then went one step further — we created an actual character using the following prompt: “Make me an image of the ‘perfect’ employee as you see them, based on all the characteristics of what you’d expect. Make it photogenic and as realistic as possible.”
The resulting image revealed a man in a shirt and tie, standing in front of an office desk.
AI, helpfully, also created us a ‘practical example’ of the perfect employee, by the name of Alex, giving him a whole persona of brilliance, dependability, and drive. Here’s what it had to say about Alex:
“Imagine an employee named Alex. Alex is a software developer with strong technical skills in programming languages relevant to their role. They stay updated with the latest industry trends and regularly attend workshops to enhance their skills.
Alex is proactive, often identifying bugs and suggesting improvements without being prompted. Their problem-solving skills are evident when they efficiently troubleshoot issues and propose effective solutions.
Alex communicates clearly with the team, ensuring everyone is on the same page. They are known for their reliability, always meeting deadlines and maintaining high standards of work. Colleagues appreciate Alex’s willingness to help and share knowledge, fostering a collaborative team spirit.
Passionate about their work, Alex takes pride in contributing to the company’s success. They handle stress well, maintaining a positive attitude during tight deadlines. Their growth mindset drives them to seek feedback and continuously improve. Alex’s ideas often lead to innovative solutions that enhance the company’s products.
In summary, the perfect employee like Alex not only excels in their role but also contributes positively to the team and the broader company culture. They are a valuable asset who drives both their own success and the success of the company.”
This depiction of the perfect AI employee has us somewhat shaking in our office chairs… But, as Kelly mentioned, it would be almost impossible to find someone who had all of these traits and qualities.
She said: “This serves to really underline the problems with AI — where it calls on societal biases and preconceptions to present a distorted view.
“As a manager of people, you have to be unbiased and objective, but AI can lead you down a path where you run the risk of pigeonholing or stereotyping.
“It highlights the dangers of relying on AI too heavily in your people management processes. AI has been developed by people, so biases, whether conscious or unconscious, are innate.
“It’s important then to take people as they come, not on a pre-established definition.
“By all means use AI, but people managers should use it with caution, combining its incredible capabilities with their human nuances and understanding to form a well-rounded, empathetic, and ultimately human viewpoint.”
About HR Star
At HR Star we’re committed to innovation and excellence when it comes to matters of the workplace.
Over the past 12 months, we’ve been focusing on reshaping the workplace experience, with a lens on employee engagement, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and recruitment.
To find out more about how we can help your business — whether it’s with recruitment matters, progression and development, or employee wellbeing — please contact a member of our team.
Alternatively, why not read our previous blog to discover insights on how to become a neuroinclusive workplace?
