Prime Minister Andy Burnham has voiced concerns about the increasing reliance on virtual job interviews, stating that they do not adequately allow candidates to demonstrate their personality and passion.
"One thing I really don't like is this culture now of interviewing via Zoom or Teams," Burnham said during a careers podcast. He questioned how young people can effectively shine in such a setting.
This sentiment comes amid a challenging job market for young people, with record youth unemployment and a significant decrease in available vacancies compared to previous years. Employers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to manage the high volume of applications and are favoring online interviews over in-person ones. Some young applicants have described the experience of applying for numerous jobs without receiving responses as "robotic and brutal."
According to data from LinkedIn, approximately 89% of UK recruiters plan to increase their use of AI in the hiring process this year.
Speaking on the podcast "Jimmy's Jobs of the Future," Burnham expressed worry that the integration of technology is not making recruitment processes fairer. "How do you get over some of your personality, your passion?" he asked, suggesting that virtual interviews may favor those who provide formulaic answers over individuals who exhibit personal character and enthusiasm. He noted that this concern is informed by his observations of his own children's experiences.
Burnham also indicated that the government intends to place greater emphasis on "social value" when awarding contracts. This could include criteria related to whether companies offer work experience to young people. The Prime Minister stated his desire to increase the number of 45-day placements, providing opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds to gain practical experience by spending more time with employers.