AI Hiring Causes Over 100 Job Rejections for Indian Student
Bhuvana Chilukuri, a 20-year-old third-year business student at Queen Mary University of London, says AI-driven hiring feels “robotic” after applying to over 100 jobs without success. In some cases, she received rejection notifications within two minutes. “It’s really horrible,” Chilukuri told the BBC, emphasizing the emotional toll of automated rejections.
The Rise of AI in Recruitment
Chilukuri explained that most companies increasingly rely on AI for CV screening and video interviews. She believes many applications never reach a human recruiter. Despite multiple internships and work experience, she remains without a job offer ahead of her graduation this summer. “You become sort of monotone. You don’t speak to anyone, and it takes away your personality. It’s quite sad,” she added.
Impact on Young Job Seekers
The student’s frustration reflects a broader trend among young applicants. Post-pandemic, job vacancies have dropped, and companies are cautious due to rising costs and stronger employee protections. Denis Machuel, CEO of Adecco Group, stated, “People need to send, on average, 200 applications to get a job offer. AI brings scale, but it creates frustration for the majority of candidates.”
Candidates Adapting to AI Screening
While understanding companies’ reliance on AI, Chilukuri notes that candidates are also using AI tools to optimize applications. “Everyone’s trying to figure it out,” she said. Despite the technology’s efficiency, she trusts human judgment over AI, highlighting the need for balance between automation and personal interaction in recruitment.
