The Persistence of Legacy Interview Processes and Inertia towards Automation

In an era where technological advancements have transformed the way we live and work, many industries have embraced automation and digitalization to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and improve outcomes. 

However, one sector that has been surprisingly slow to adapt to these changes is Human Resources (HR). Despite the presence of interview automation platforms that promise to revolutionize the recruitment process, many HR departments continue to rely on legacy interview processes. 

This blog aims to explore the reasons behind this persistence and why HR professionals are hesitant to fully embrace interview automation platforms.

Skepticism About Technology

HR professionals are trained to strive for efficient processes. In this bid, they set up intricate systems that work in synergy in theory. However, due to a massive change in workforce demographics, the execution of said processes is rough.

Some HRs are tech-savvy and some may harbor skepticism about the effectiveness and reliability of interview automation platforms. They might question the accuracy of algorithms in assessing candidates, worry about potential biases in automated decision-making, or be concerned about data security and privacy issues.

While these concerns are valid, interview automation platforms are continually evolving to address these issues. They can provide more consistent, objective, and data-driven assessments, while companies are increasingly focused on eliminating biases in their algorithms. 

For example, JobTwine’s Interviewer Copilot ensures the correct questions are asked and evaluations happen in a streamlined manner. 

However, building trust in technology takes time, and some HR professionals are hesitant to fully embrace it until they see proven results and increased transparency.

Company Culture and Tradition

Company culture plays a crucial role in shaping HR practices and attitudes toward change. Some organizations have deeply ingrained traditional HR practices and a strong belief in the effectiveness of these methods. This culture of doing things the way they have always been done can act as a significant barrier to adopting new technologies, including interview automation platforms.

In such cases, HR professionals might struggle to convince their leadership to invest in and implement new systems when the current processes have served them adequately in the past. Company traditions and a reluctance to disrupt the status quo can hinder the adoption of innovation in HR.

Cost Concerns

Adopting interview automation platforms involves an initial investment in terms of software licensing, training, and integration with existing systems. Some HR departments may perceive these costs as prohibitive, especially for smaller companies or those with limited budgets. In their view, the benefits of automation may not outweigh the financial burden, leading to resistance to change.

However, it’s essential to consider the long-term savings that interview automation platforms can offer. These systems reduce administrative workload, decrease the time-to-hire, and help identify the best candidates efficiently. Over time, these cost savings can far exceed the initial investment.

A classic example of intelligent automation saving thousands of dollars is NoBroker’s experience with JobTwine. Using the platform, their attrition rate reduced by 25% and there was an increase in productivity by 32%. But a key highlight of the engagement was the 1000+ hours of engineering hours savings. This ultimately led to $150,000+ worth of engineering cost savings. 

Uncertainty About the ROI

Return on Investment (ROI) is a key consideration for any technology adoption. HR professionals may be hesitant to embrace interview automation platforms if they are uncertain about the tangible benefits they will receive in return. It can be challenging to quantify the ROI of these platforms, as the impact on recruitment and hiring processes may take time to become apparent.

To address this uncertainty, HR professionals should work closely with vendors to set clear performance metrics and goals, which can help track the platform’s effectiveness and justify the investment. Additionally, sharing success stories and case studies from organizations that have successfully adopted interview automation can alleviate concerns about ROI.

The Human Element

HR professionals are often passionate about the human side of recruitment and employee management. They take pride in their ability to build relationships, assess cultural fit, and make nuanced judgments about candidates. The fear that automation may strip away the human element and reduce the recruitment process to a cold, algorithm-driven exercise can be a significant deterrent.

However, it’s crucial to understand that interview automation platforms are designed to enhance the human element rather than replace it. They can handle repetitive, time-consuming tasks, allowing HR professionals to dedicate more of their time to meaningful interactions with candidates and employees.

JobTwine’s Smart Playbook Builder and Interviewer Copilot work well in synergy to make this possible. The former ensures that the structure of an interview is already taken care of, while the former ensures interviewers can focus on human interactions rather than worry about the interview formalities. 

Resistance to Change

The HR field, like many other sectors, is not immune to the resistance to change. Legacy processes and systems may have been in place for years, and HR professionals are often comfortable with the routines they have established. The prospect of adopting a new technology and reengineering their processes can be daunting.

Moreover, implementing interview automation platforms requires an investment of time and resources in training and system integration. HR departments may resist this change due to the disruption it can cause in the short term and the learning curve involved in mastering the new tools.

The Catalyst for an Upgrade

While interview automation platforms hold the potential to revolutionize the HR industry, the reluctance to fully embrace them persists for various reasons. HR professionals’ fears of job displacement, resistance to change, skepticism about technology, company culture and tradition, cost concerns, the value of the human element, and uncertainty about ROI are all contributing factors to this resistance.

We took this sentiment into account when designing JobTwine. As an AI-powered interview intelligence platform, JobTwine is designed to overcome these barriers. It automates repetitive tasks and provides 5X more data for better decisions and 3X faster hiring. 

In conclusion, it is essential for HR to view interview automation as an opportunity rather than a threat, and to actively work towards integrating these platforms into their existing processes to unlock their full potential in reshaping the future of recruitment and talent management.

Start taking better interviews from today with a JobTwine free trial for 2 months. Visit https://www.jobtwine.com/schedule-demo

Scroll to Top