Chatbots, also known as conversational recruiting tools, have become an essential component for the hiring technology stack at many organization. Used for everything from capturing information and light prescreening of candidates to scheduling interviews and more, these tools have a variety of applications across the hiring process.

But new research shows that usage and value of these tools goes deeper. The longer a company uses chatbots, automation, and other AI-based hiring tools, the more they evolve. In the infographic below you’ll see some of those key evolutionary components.

Those employers using chatbots and conversational recruiting for 2+ years are:

  • 2X MORE LIKELY to prioritize relationship skills when upskilling recruiting teams
  • MORE LIKELY to say conversational recruiting tools are a key part of the talent acquisition toolbox and enable better recruiter performance.
  • 50% MORE LIKELY to see improvements in efficiency
  • 5X MORE LIKELY to be spending time on metrics, measurement, business impact

Note that while this piece is primarily focused on chatbots, this research finding also includes other areas of recruiting automation as well. The same findings may hold true for HR and learning teams as well, if we’re able to gather data to understand those areas more fully in our coming research.

Want to go deeper? Check out some of the following related resources:

Conversational Recruiting Infographic

Download the PDF version of the graphic: LHRA Graphic Conversational Recruiting Three C’s 2021

Infographic Transcript:

NEW RESEARCH: Conversational Recruiting Wins for Conversions, Consistency, and Cost
Chatbots have gotten a lot of attention in recent years, and the talent acquisition community has adapted to calling these tools of conversational recruiting as the interactions have moved f rom pure web-based chatbots to more text message-driven conversations. But the research shows that this isn’t just a “nice to have.” For many employers, conversational recruiting is a key
driver of performance and value.

A key facet of our research hypothesis was that those companies new to conversational recruiting would have different perspectives than those more mature users. This turned out to be true in many respects.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH

About the 2021 Talent Acquisition Priorities research: Q1 2021 survey of 800+ talent acquisition leaders primarily based in North America representing a variety of industries and company sizes.
The need to hire virtually over the last year may have been brought on with little notice, but it’s become a key staple of the modern organization’s approach to hiring by reducing costs, increasing access to talent, and driving a more focused partnership with the business. For teams that want to remain agile and resilient to change, conversational recruiting offers a powerful way to connect with candidates and drive the right outcomes from a recruiting perspective.

KEY FEATURES AND OUTCOMES OF CONVERSATIONAL RECRUITING TOOLS
KEY FEATURES

  • CAPTURE CANDIDATE INFORMATION AND SIMPLIFY APPLY PROCESS
  • PREQUALIFY CANDIDATES WITH SCREENING QUESTIONS
  • SCHEDULE INTERVIEWS AND SEND REMINDERS
  • FOLLOW UP POSTHIRE TO CHECK ON SATISFACTION AND FURTHER NEEDS

KEY OUTCOMES

  • 91% INCREASE IN COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
  • 2/3 OF INTERACTIONS HAPPEN OUTSIDE NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS
  • 85% DECREASE IN TIME SPENT SCHEDULING INTERVIEWS
  • 40% MORE CANDIDATES COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCESS
  • 92% INCREASE IN CANDIDATE SATISFACTION

CONVERSATIONAL RECRUITING MATURITY

Those using chatbots and conversational recruiting for 2+ years are

  • 2X MORE LIKELY to prioritize relationship skills when upskilling recruiting teams
  • MORE LIKELY to say conversational recruiting tools are a key part of the talent acquisition toolbox and enable better recruiter performance.
  • 50% MORE LIKELY to see improvements in efficiency
  • 5X MORE LIKELY to be spending time on metrics, measurement, business impact

TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE: CONSOLIDATION IS TRENDING

PAST

Two years ago, more than 26 different providers offered chatbots for hiring. Key acquisitions and exits since then have shrunk that number considerably.

PRESENT

Today, a smaller group of key players exist as standalone conversational recruiting solutions. In addition, many enterprise talent acquisition providers have either acquired or built their own solutions to support this need

FUTURE

Going forward, the priority for conversational recruiting tools will be integrating with key elements of the recruiting tech stack, including applicant tracking systems, recruitment marketing tools, assessments, and more.