AI as a Supportive Soundboard
Formulating a strong cover letter is a challenge for many people. AI can help articulate qualities better, minimize errors, and optimize tone. In a sense, it is the modern equivalent of help from your father or your neighbor. At the same time, there is a risk involved: uniformity. AI often generates similar formulations and structures, making letters less distinctive. The key lies in honest and transparent use. Use AI as a supporter, but always bring your own voice and conviction.
Faster Recruitment as an Employer with the Help of AI
Recruitment is time-intensive, yet only 33% of Dutch HR departments use AI tools in their selection process. When it does happen, there are various ways in which AI is used. For instance, AI can assist employers in writing consistent and inclusive job descriptions, automatically screening resumes for relevant experience, and analyzing job interviews, where recordings are analyzed for language use, skills, and behavioral patterns. Innovative companies are even experimenting with AI avatars that interview candidates beforehand. This can speed up the initial selection, but always remains dependent on careful human interpretation.
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Opportunities and Benefits of Responsible Use
The rise of AI in job applications brings new questions to the forefront. Resumes with the right keywords, flawless formatting, and perfect structure say less about the real candidate. HR needs to dig deeper, beyond presentation and layout, to distinguish quality from AI enhancement. It is more about content and less about form. Additionally, there is much uncertainty about what is and isn't allowed, while frameworks are often not clearly communicated.
When AI is used correctly, it can reduce unconscious biases by focusing on objective criteria, enable consistent evaluation, and shorten screening time so that HR has more time for human conversation. By shifting the emphasis from presentation to content, relevant experience becomes more important than 'nice words'.
Read also: Top 10 largest employers of 2025
The Balance Between Technology and Human Touch
AI can accelerate and structure the recruitment process, but ultimately human judgment remains crucial. Applicants do well to use AI as a soundboard, not as a replacement for their own story. Employers can utilize AI as a tool, but must retain space for intuition, cultural fit, and personal contact. As with many technologies: garbage in, garbage out. The quality of the output entirely depends on the clarity of the input and the sharpness of the questions. AI ensures consistency; humans safeguard quality.
The future of applying will be hybrid: a combination of smart technology and human insight. Organizations that manage to find this balance significantly increase their chances of the right match.
Written by Tom de Zeeuw, Head of HR Manutan Benelux
1. 75% of Job Seekers Using AI to Apply
2. https://manpowergroup.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MPG-MEOS-Q2-2025_NL-eng_web.pdf
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