AI has dramatically reduced the effort required to apply for jobs.
Candidates can use AI to rewrite résumés, tailor experience to a job description and generate application materials. Indeed itself now publishes guidance showing candidates how to use AI prompts to revise and tailor their résumés.
The next development goes even further.
Indeed recently tested an "Apply For Me" system designed to use AI to help job seekers submit applications. The company ultimately paused the fully automatic application mode while continuing to develop a version where candidates review applications before submission. Indeed specifically acknowledged employer concerns about tools encouraging high-volume, low-relevance applications.
Employers are already feeling the volume problem.
An Indeed/Harris Poll survey of 300 U.S. hiring managers at companies with at least 500 employees found 71 percent said higher application volume was making it harder to find qualified candidates, while 72 percent worried that strong candidates were getting lost in the volume.
We're potentially entering a strange hiring environment:
AI helps candidates create more applications.
AI helps employers screen more applications.
But neither necessarily tells the employer who can actually perform the job.
Why This Matters
The value of a polished application may decline as producing one becomes easier.
That makes evidence of capability more important.
Depending on the occupation, that might mean structured interviews, portfolios, skills assessments, certifications, references or realistic work samples. Indeed notes that employers already use work samples to evaluate candidates against predetermined criteria and demonstrate actual abilities.
Hiring Signal
When everyone can produce a polished application, proof becomes more valuable than polish.
CTA
Review one important position you're hiring for and ask:
What evidence do we collect that this person can actually perform the work?
Instead of automatically adding another interview, consider whether a short, realistic job-related exercise would tell you more.
How StrikeForce Can Help: StrikeForce helps employers cut through application volume and focus on qualified candidates whose experience and capabilities match what the job actually requires.