What is AI resume screening, and how does it work?

How it works

• The employer defines the role: description, requirements and the relative importance of each skill.
• The software extracts information from each resume, such as experience, skills and education.
• Each candidate is scored against the role's criteria.
• Candidates are ranked, and the recruiter reviews from the top.

How it differs from keyword filters

Older screening tools matched keywords. A candidate who wrote 'client relationships' instead of 'account management' could be filtered out. Modern AI screening reads for meaning, so it can recognise the same experience described in different words, formats and languages.

What it is good at

• Volume: every application is read, including the last one to arrive.
• Consistency: the same criteria are applied to each candidate.
• Speed: a ranked list is ready in hours instead of weeks.

What it should not do

Screening software should rank and recommend. The decision to interview, reject or hire should stay with a person who can read the top candidates in full and question the ranking.

How to use it responsibly

• Score only on job-related criteria.
• Review a sample of lower-ranked candidates to check your criteria.
• Tell candidates that AI is part of the process.
• Keep a person responsible for every final decision.

What to look for in a tool

• Criteria you can see and adjust, such as skill weights.
• A reason for each score, not just a number.
• A way to screen resumes you already have, not only new applications.
• Setup measured in minutes.