Recruiters on a Bike: How AI Empowers Us to Go Further

Written by Mauro Perez, TA Lead

Recruitment is about people. However, recruiters often spend too much time on repetitive tasks instead of making real connections. Studies indicate that we can spend up to 30 to 40% of our time on administrative duties like scheduling, screening, and writing documents. This time could be better spent on talking to candidates or collaborating with hiring managers.

That’s why I’ve been looking into how AI can support us rather than take our place. I believe recruiters with AI are like riders on a bike: we can cover more distance, go faster, and put in less effort.

I’ve always loved recruitment. It is an area that is fundamentally human; it involves listening, connecting, and matching people with the right opportunities. However, I often notice that recruiters are bogged down by repetitive tasks, which distract them from what truly matters. A survey by The Access Group found that 68% of recruiters now use AI to streamline their work, saving on average 3 hours per week.

This curiosity about AI's role in recruitment drives me. I do not see AI as a replacement for recruiters. I view it as a tool that helps us, much like a bike helps a person. A person can walk, but riding a bike allows them to go much further and faster with less energy. AI can provide recruiters with that advantage, enabling us to work more efficiently and effectively.

To expand my understanding, I’ve talked with founders of SaaS companies that develop AI-driven tools for recruiters. I’ve tested some of these solutions, researched new trends, and thought about how they could reshape our hiring processes. The innovation in this field is exciting: tools that can automatically find candidates, platforms that recommend better matches based on skills and potential, and systems that manage scheduling or first-round questions instantly.

In my daily work, I’ve already seen significant benefits. I recently had a role where speed was essential—the hiring manager wanted to see a shortlist within a week. Normally, this would mean hours of sourcing and screening. Using an AI sourcing tool, I created a solid initial pipeline in less than 48 hours. This saved me time to engage personally with top candidates, which not only impressed the client but also allowed me to build trust with each person. Ultimately, we filled the role quickly, and both the candidate and the manager felt it was a great match.

I am not alone in this experience. Companies testing AI recruiting platforms report reductions in time-to-hire by up to 30%, along with higher satisfaction from hiring managers. This improvement comes from recruiters focusing more on valuable conversations rather than administrative tasks. One study noted a 50% reduction in time-to-hire for companies that fully integrated AI-assisted processes throughout the recruitment funnel.

I firmly believe that the future of recruitment will blend human empathy with AI efficiency. Recruiters will always provide the “human touch” - understanding motivations, building trust, and helping people through significant life choices. With AI, we can reduce time spent on repetitive tasks and focus more on meaningful interactions.

That’s why I am eager to continue exploring this area, learning from others, and sharing insights along the way. AI will not replace recruiters; it will enhance our abilities. Just as a bike does not replace walking, it gives us the power to go further.