How Can Conversational AI Help Leaner HR Teams Manage Work

HR teams are struggling to balance the demands of today’s labor market. HR professionals can use AI-enabled tools to engage and communicate with potential employees, write compelling job descriptions, and ensure diversity, says Rebecca Jones, general manager of Mosaicx.

The labor market has remained strong during the past two years, with lower unemployment rates and rising job openings. At the end of 2022, there were 1.7 job openingsOpens a new window for every unemployed worker in the US. So despite concerns about a potential recession, the job market remains strong.

While this is good news for individuals needing work, it can pose challenges for employers trying to find and retain talent. Fortunately, savvy recruiters and IT decision-makers have found a way to address these challenges using technology.

Current Workforce Pressures Continue to Affect Recruiting and Hiring

The biggest challenge for talent acquisition teams remains engaging and communicating with potential employees, according to a reportOpens a new window by Sense and Talent Board. Other challenges include writing compelling job descriptions and ensuring diversity among candidates.

Even if companies find the right candidate, they need to be able to communicate quickly and effectively to bring them on board. A recent study shows that nearly half of the recruitersOpens a new window believe poor communication reduces the quality of the recruiting process.

One way to address communication challenges in recruiting is to use conversational AI. This type of AI adds intelligence and automation to their current approaches and identifies ways to overcome obstacles.

What Is Conversational AI?

Conversational AI is a technology that enables human-like communication between people and computers in real-time. It uses natural language processing, machine learning, and contextual awareness to understand and replicate human language. With tools like intelligent virtual agents (IVAs), conversational AI can help HR teams facilitate intuitive and personable interactions with candidates and new hires.

Sense and Talent Board also found that over a third of high-performing talent acquisition teams use conversational AI for recruiting and onboarding new hires. In recruiting and onboarding use cases, AI outperforms other engagement methods like customer relationship software, texting, phone, and email.

See More: Why Chatbots are Powerful Tool For Consumer Engagement

Conversational AI Use Cases for Recruiters 

Here’s how conversational AI can enabler more effective recruiting processes.

1. Automate everyday tasks

Conversational AI can help businesses overcome challenges that often slow down recruiting and hiring. One of the strengths of this technology is its ability to automate repetitive tasks, which can be particularly useful for HR teams that are often overworked and understaffed.

Through natural language processing and machine learning, conversational AI tools, such as IVAs, can automate recruiting tasks such as scheduling interviews, confirming meetings, extending job offers, and following up with candidates. Automation at this level increases productivity and reduces burnout among HR teams. These tools can also screen candidate applications and qualifications, teeing up the most qualified candidates for the recruiting teams, further saving time and resources.

2. Streamline hiring and onboarding

Today’s labor market and remote environments have pressured companies to move quickly from offer to onboarding. Savvy companies can begin onboarding candidates before their official start dates. Conversational AI facilitates a smooth hiring and onboarding process by allowing communication with new hires via video messages, emails, informational packs, and welcome kits at times convenient for the recruiting team.

Conversational AI streamlines offer and onboarding, making communication more direct and effective for talent acquisition teams and candidates. Conversational AI, basic chatbots, and texting can increase the speed and responsiveness of candidate communications. They can also improve the overall quality of the candidate experience.

See More: 3 Research-Backed Onboarding Best Practices

3. Simplify scheduling and boost employee retention

Employees value flexible schedules they can manage on their own. One way businesses can deliver on these expectations is with IVAs. For example, if an employee needs to adjust a scheduled shift, they can text or call an IVA to request alternative staffing options. The IVA can then notify department managers and shift leaders of the requested change, confirm alternative staffing options, and suggest alternative staffing options.

Employers that equip employees with intelligent and intuitive tools can bolster satisfaction as they fight to retain employees amid the Great Resignation. Employers can demonstrate care to employees by leveraging conversational AI to encourage employee feedback. Surveys can gauge employee satisfaction, identify and mitigate attrition risks, and fast-track top performers.

4. Advance DE&I goals

Efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are top of mind for business leaders across industries. Unfortunately, implicit and explicit bias still play a large role in hiring processes. Harvard Business ReviewOpens a new window claims that up to 97% of companies rely on intuition to process applications, which can introduce bias. In addition, biased language in job descriptions can discourage qualified and talented candidates from applying for a position.

One way to overcome bias in recruiting and hiring is with AI. AI-enabled tools can analyze job descriptions to highlight and remove discriminatory language. These tools might identify discriminatory or biased language such as “aggressive” or “digital native” and encourage gender-neutral pronouns. Ultimately, AI-enabled tools can suggest changes that demonstrate inclusion without eliminating a company’s voice.

See More: 3 Types of Technology To Elevate Your Company’s DE&I Strategy

Communicate Effectively About Company Layoffs 

Some industries have experienced large-scale layoffs in recent months, which are common when facing economic pressures. How a company communicates a staff reduction can impact its current workforce, future employees, and reputation. AI-enabled tools can support decision-makers in communicating about layoffs to stakeholders.

For example, an HR team can create a referenceable FAQ. The FAQ can answer questions about the state of the business, what led to the layoffs, what actions the company is taking to support affected employees, where affected employees can learn more about severance pay, and what leaders anticipate will happen moving forward. Companies can then program their IVA to consider the context when they support employees. Context can be helpful in answering employee questions, directing them to knowledge-based articles for more detailed information, or scheduling a private meeting with a manager. A best practice is to test IVA solutions in different scenarios and possible response situations before sharing them with employees. Doing so will ensure the IVA delivers helpful, respectful, and sensitive responses. 

Paving the Way for Leaner AI-enabled HR Teams

The challenges facing today’s workforce will continue to impact recruiting and hiring practices. However, proactive companies can use tools like conversational AI to attract and retain the best talent and empower their success through modern technologies. 

The benefits of conversational AI also extend to internal HR processes, including task automation and increased productivity and savings. Through automation of everyday tasks, businesses can better communicate and maximize their existing resources and talent.

How can AI-enabled tools help reduce the burden on understaffed teams and streamline the processes? Let us know on FacebookOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window .

Image Source: Shutterstock

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