AI in Recruitment: How to Stand Out in the Age of Automation

We’re seeing candidates using AI tools to help craft CVs and cover letters, respond to application questions, and even get prompts during video interviews. At the same time, employers are embracing AI to filter, shortlist, and assess applications at speed and scale.

This raises a big question:

In a world where AI makes every CV look perfect, how do candidates stand out? And how can employers be sure applicants can actually do what they say?

For Candidates: Your Competitive Advantage Has Changed

Knowledge used to be king. A three-year degree, professional experience, or specialist skills once set you apart. But with AI, much of that information is now available with a few clicks or clever prompts.

The real competitive advantage now?

• Emotional intelligence (EQ) – how you build relationships and navigate real-world challenges.
• Proactivity and initiative – showing you can go beyond the brief.
• Human connection – people want to work with people they like and trust.

So, bring personality into your applications. Reach out directly to hiring managers. Send a short video introducing yourself. Network like it’s the 1990s again – because in a sea of AI-polished CVs, human connection stands out.

For Employers: Back to Basics in Hiring

Even the world’s leading tech companies are changing their approach. Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently confirmed the business is reintroducing face-to-face job interviews amid concerns about AI-driven answers in virtual hiring processes.

Other employers are turning to:

• Competency-based questions – to see how candidates think on their feet.
• Skills-based testing – to prove they can apply knowledge, not just talk about it.

It’s about seeing the human behind the CV and ensuring they have the right mix of skills, adaptability, and personality to thrive.

The Future of Recruitment in the AI Era

AI in recruitment is here to stay. It will keep evolving. Those who adapt early – whether by humanising their applications or rethinking their hiring processes – are likely to thrive.

The challenge now isn’t just finding knowledge. It’s finding people who can apply it, connect with others, and drive real-world results.

About the author: Emma Green, founder of Ask Emma HR, is a specialist in recruitment and HR for high-growth brands. With a track record of helping some of the UK’s fastest-scaling businesses craft and shape their hiring processes, Emma helps companies attract, recruit, and retain top talent while building strong people-first cultures. emma@askemmahr