75% of HR Pros Use AI, Battle Resume Fraud & Automation Needs
Human resources departments are increasingly grappling with the complex interplay of technology and talent management, particularly when it comes to attracting, onboarding, and retaining top professionals. A recent survey conducted by Equifax Workforce Solutions, polling over 250 HR executives and professionals at the SHRM25 Conference, revealed that half of all HR professionals identify leveraging technology for workflow automation as a significant hurdle.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies is prompting HR leaders to seek ways to automate time-consuming administrative tasks. This strategic shift aims to free up valuable time, allowing HR teams to dedicate more focus to the human-centric aspects of their roles, which are crucial for fostering stronger employee engagement and retention. As Chris Johnson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Employer Services at Equifax Workforce Solutions, noted, the evolving landscape of work underscores the paramount importance of an organization’s people. HR teams recognize this, prioritizing technology to streamline routine processes for their own efficiency while simultaneously enhancing the experience for employees they serve.
The current job market presents unique challenges, with a notable increase in candidates embellishing or outright fabricating their experience and credentials. The survey found that a striking 71 percent of HR professionals have encountered misleading or fabricated information during the hiring process. These discrepancies most frequently appear in employment history, educational backgrounds, and professional licenses or certifications. Despite the widespread nature of such fraudulent claims on applications and resumes, a mere 20 percent of HR professionals express strong confidence in their ability to detect them.
According to Bart Lautenbach, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Talent Solutions for Equifax Workforce Solutions, HR teams face new complexities with the rise of AI-generated resumes, which can make it harder to discern authenticity. He emphasized the substantial financial repercussions of a “bad hire,” where an employer might unknowingly recruit an individual who has significantly exaggerated their qualifications. Comprehensive background checks, encompassing employment, education, and criminal history verifications, are critical tools in mitigating these risks and ensuring higher quality hires. Furthermore, insights from the survey indicated a strong correlation between past and future job tenure: candidates who frequently departed roles within 60 days tended to repeat this pattern, whereas those with longer previous tenures demonstrated greater stability.
Beyond the integrity of candidate information, HR organizations also struggle with the pace of hiring. Despite the importance of speed-to-hire for many, fewer than 12 percent of HR professionals reported that their organizations consistently onboard candidates quickly. This sluggishness not only frustrates applicants and hiring teams but can also lead companies to miss out on prime talent, directly impacting business performance and team morale. Similarly, a significant 83 percent of HR professionals believe there is ample room for improvement in their organization’s onboarding processes. Innovative technologies can play a pivotal role here, automating key components like form completion and compliance checks, thereby enhancing the new hire experience while meeting evolving regulatory demands. Real-time data and automation can empower HR teams to adhere to essential protocols, including background checks, improving both speed and accuracy.
Many HR professionals are proactively seeking to integrate AI and automation into their workflows to address these multifaceted challenges. A notable 76 percent of respondents reported already using AI to enhance efficiency in hiring and onboarding. However, the survey suggests that most HR teams are likely only beginning to tap into the full potential of AI for driving these efficiencies, underscoring the increasing need for HR technology vendors to provide specialized expertise and cutting-edge solutions.