When 22-year-old university graduate Tom was looking for work, he applied for more than 200 jobs before finally securing a role as a restaurant manager. He described the hiring process as exhausting, but artificial intelligence helped him write cover letters, update his CV, and find important keywords for employer screening systems. Many other young job seekers in the UK are turning to the same technology to manage dozens of applications each week.
A survey of 155 major graduate employers by the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) shows that companies are becoming more open to candidates using AI for basic tasks like drafting CVs. However, the survey also found that 92 percent of employers suspected candidates of improper AI use during selection, up from 85 percent last year. Recruiters reported that some applicants used AI tools during online assessments or as real-time assistants during video interviews.
The technology has also made it much easier for candidates to send applications to many companies at the same time. British energy company EDF received 12,000 applications in just three weeks for its graduate programme—a 10 percent increase compared to last year—forcing the firm to close applications early. Hollie Moody, head of early careers recruitment at EDF, said this trend creates an unfair situation because some candidates use AI throughout the entire process while others do not.
To deal with these issues, many employers are publishing clear rules on acceptable AI use and changing how they choose candidates. EDF now reviews CVs only in the later stages of recruitment and relies on practical assessments and video interviews to test genuine abilities. Recruitment managers say they want authenticity and personal character, which automated computer tools cannot replace.