While artificial intelligence technology increasingly influences job recruiting at firms, almost two-thirds (62%) of employees think companies are reducing recruitment at an entry level due to the automation of routine activities by artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, according to a new study conducted by Indeed Flex, a workplace platform, much fewer employees face such an issue in practice.
The survey of approximately 2,000 workers across the United States and the United Kingdom found that while 62% believe AI is suppressing entry-level hiring, only 31% report seeing fewer entry-level roles within their own industry. Furthermore, traditional employment concerns remain top of mind. Nearly one-third of respondents (30%) identified pay as their greatest job search obstacle, followed by competition from other applicants (25%). Just 9% named AI job replacement as their primary challenge.
“AI is reshaping hiring, but it’s not replacing the fundamentals of what workers care about. People are still looking for competitive pay, stability and opportunities to build meaningful careers,” said Novo Constare, CEO and Co-founder of Indeed Flex. “What’s changing is how they prepare for those opportunities. Workers are embracing AI as a tool while still expecting a hiring process that’s transparent, fair and ultimately human.”
Also Read: The Hackett Group Unveils AI World Class HR Performance Benchmarks
AI Adoption Transforms Job Search Strategies and Candidate Confidence
While AI has not eliminated core worker priorities, it is significantly altering candidate behavior. Overall, 59% of respondents report adapting their job-seeking approach:
Generative AI Utilization: 22% use tools like ChatGPT to assist with resumes, cover letters, or applications.
Selective Target Filtering: 14% apply to positions more selectively.
Application Volume Spikes: 12% submit a higher volume of applications than in previous years.
Tailored Materials: 11% spend more time customizing resumes for specific vacancies.
The widespread adoption of AI not only brings about the different levels of confidence from a workers’ point of view; for example, only 34% are concerned that AI may give them the run for their money whereas 29% think working at AI environments is going to be easier and 37% just feel that there is no significant shift in the mood.
Doubts About AI-Based Automated Job Interviews Are Still Common
Employers have been investing heavily in technology for hiring yet candidates are still hesitant to have a chat via a machine. Only 19% of respondents who were interviewed were actually AI interviewees. Overall, 28% thought that AI interviews are a step backwards for a candidate while only 10% said that they have a positive impact. It is remarkable that people who went through AI interviews, use AI tools during the job application process themselves, at a rate over double that of non-AI users (29% vs. 13%).
Looking at it from the workers surveyed, the message for employers is a very direct one: yes, AI does speed up the recruitment Yet if you want to have top talent at your company, it is imperative that you still have people supervising and making your processes visible to the public and that your pay and benefits packages attract talent on the market.
HR managers, heads of talent acquisition, and workforce strategists will find it very interesting to read through all the survey data, way, and human resources documents by going to Really Indeed Flex‘s digital hub.
