Chat with our Chatbot: The Future of Recruitment

The Oxford dictionary defines a chatbot as 'a computer program designed to simulate conversation with human users, especially over the internet.' As is often the case with new technology, many initial chatbots were created for fun, but they’re now being used to enhance the workplace, particularly in HR departments. How you ask? Job interviews can be incredibly stressful for applicants. Chatbots provide a level of comfort and, ironically, emotional distance that can promote efficient and relaxed conversations. Recruitment chatbots can stage initial interviews that are direct, friendly, and minimally intimidating. It’s also simply a better, faster and easier way to connect with qualified candidates. This is a win-win for both applicants and HR teams.  

At Alorica, we have been testing this method of recruitment in the Philippines by embedding the technology onto the Alorica Philippines Facebook page, conducting screenings via Facebook Messenger. To measure the effectiveness of this method, the technology had to solve the following challenges: maximize online recruiting channels; generate inactive leads; and reduce manual phone call outreach to candidate leads. In the span of just three months, the results have already been overwhelmingly positive! During the testing period, 3,088 candidates were interviewed, compared to 966 during the same period a year prior. There was a savings of more than 1,200 recruiting man hours and the cost per hire reduced by 84 percent. Additionally, online channel conversion rate was up to 14-16 percent compared to traditional channels at 4-6 percent.  

To sum it up, chatbots have completely changed the way Alorica thinks about recruiting. By implementing the technology, we have not only saved money and man hours, but allowed us to connect with qualified candidates who resonated with this recruitment strategy. It just goes to show, the trick to getting face time is a little screen time.  

Alorica is one of the biggest outsourcing employers in the region with 17 sites strategically located across metro Manila and provincial regions. If you are in the Philippines and are interested in joining our local employee base of 38,500, visit the Alorica Philippines Facebook page where you can interact with our chatbot using Facebook Messenger.