Virtual job interviews don’t let people shine, says Burnham

Bosses shouldn’t rely so much on virtual job interviews when hiring because they don’t capture the personality and passion of candidates, says Andy Burnham.

“One thing I don’t like is this culture now of doing zoom or group interviews,” the Prime Minister told the Muya podcast, adding, “How does a young person shine in that situation?”

With youth unemployment and underemployment accounting for half in recent years, employers are turning to AI to sift through overwhelming numbers of applications and in-person online interviews.

But some young people have told the BBC that they have the experience of applying for hundreds of jobs and never hearing back. “Robotic and brutal”.

It comes as some 89% of UK employers say they plan to use more AI in the recruitment process this year. According to Linked In information.

Speaking to former political consultant Jimmy McLoughlin on the Jimmy Future Jobs podcast, Burnham said he was concerned that the use of technology was making recruitment processes “unfair.”

“How do you get out of some of your personalities, out of your desires?” he asked, referring to virtual interviews. “Then I seem to work on people who have that side of their personality and give more formulaic answers.

“I worry about that and I see it in relation to my children and their situation.”

Burnham also said the government would put more emphasis on “social value” when awarding contracts, which could include companies offering work experience to young people.

The Prime Minister said he wanted to increase the number of 45-day placements to give 16- to 18-year-olds an opportunity to spend more time with an employer and gain practical experience.