How Google's AI-Powered Job Search Will Impact Companies And Job Seekers

In mid-June, Google announced the implementation of an AI-powered search function aimed at connecting job seekers with jobs by sorting through posted recruitment information. The system allows users to search for basic phrases, such as "jobs near me," or perform searches for industry-specific keywords. The search results can include reviews from Glassdoor or other companies, along with the details of what skills the hiring company is looking to acquire.

As this is a relatively new development, what the system will mean is still an open question. To help, members from the Forbes Coaches Council offer their analysis on how the search system will impact candidates or companies. Here's what they said:

1. Provides A One-Stop Shop 
In this information age, it can be challenging for job seekers to wade through online content to locate right-fit opportunities. Google's new feature will streamline the tedious job search task by intuitively aligning wants with needs, and narrowing search results. It's a "one-stop shop" for job seekers, drawing relevant job postings into one location and helping employers gain greater visibility. - Adrienne Tom, Career Impressions 



2. Could Be A Game Changer For Transparent Communications 

If "let me Google my next job" becomes the cornerstone of job search, I predict it will become a game changer in transparent communications between candidates and employers, from candidate application to confirmation of next steps. The pain for candidates is the lack of feedback. If Google can change this, I expect the tech to impact employer brand — hopefully for the better. - Caroline Stokes, FORWARD Human Capital Solutions 


3. Reputation Management Will Be Key For Companies 

Google's new AI-powered job search engine couples job postings with employee ratings from sites like Glassdoor, so candidates can read reviews about a particular employer before applying for the job. Companies with negative reviews will have a harder time recruiting the right talent, while companies with positive reviews can draw from a larger candidate pool. - Sheri Nasim, Center for Executive Excellence 


4. Will Create Access, But Not Improve Etiquette 

Good for Google for showing the way to job seekers, but with great access comes great responsibility to better communicate. Without this perspective, job seekers may roll through people, information and create poor communication that could injure their credibility. LinkedIn creates access points and etiquette through InMail. I give them credit. But job seekers still need people skills to win. - John O'Connor, Career Pro Inc. 

5. Expect Competition To Increase

Google jumping into the job search market may make it easier than ever to apply for a role online. For companies, this could likely tax the already strained-ATS system, and unless fixed, could mean many more resumes falling into that "black hole." For candidates, competition might be steeper than ever, which means networking will be even more important to job search success. - Virginia Franco, Virginia Franco Resumes 


6. Provides A Move Towards Closing The Wage Gap 

Google is empowering both employers and candidates to move towards equal pay for equal work. It will eliminate silos of information, where pay data has been hidden as it relates to work competencies and experience needed to qualify for positions. Increased access to information and data promotes transparency, and will inevitably cause a shift in compensation. - LaKisha Greenwade, Lucki Fit LLC 



7. Companies May Have To Get More Creative With Their Strategies 

Google Jobs will impact the career industry in a similar way that its impacted the travel industry. Google will feature their own search tool first, and may feature jobs at Google first. This will force candidates and companies to be more creative with their strategies. Companies may want to post jobs on Google and on other top job sites. Candidates will want to apply in more than one spot. - Angela Copeland, Copeland Coaching 

8. Makes A Challenging Part Of Life Easier 

Finding the right job fit is equally challenging for candidates and companies. The new Google job search feature will make it easier to bring both together by reducing duplicate postings, and helping both candidates and companies find a match that may have otherwise been missed. I believe one of the greatest benefits is the ability to pick up on social and work experiences via Facebook, LinkedIn and Gmail. - Michelle Braden, MSBCoach, LLC 


9. Aids Human Resource Management 

Hiring the right people is a hard task, especially if HR managers are bombarded with thousands of CVs. Sometimes, implicit biases can creep into the job interviewing process, and qualified candidates might be overlooked. AI can give a boost to hiring strategy by helping HR specialists identify the best candidates for a position and thereby decreasing human subjectivity and error in decision-making. - Parul Agrawal, Viva La Coach 


10. Companies Will Test The Waters Before Committing To The Process 


Both employers and employees will test this first. If the Google system gives off high-quality search results, then recruiters or job searchers will save a ton of time and money to find their best match. If not, and search results are not qualified or any other complication shows up — for example, you can't reach either party — people will just go back to their old ways. So we must wait and see! - Doaa Darwish, TRAINER'S BOX® 

11. Candidates Will Be Less Likely To Miss Opportunities, Even If They're Not Actively Looking 

The new Google AI feature streamlines the job search process and delivers greater simplicity to active job seekers, while simultaneously creating a new temptation for non-job seekers who will receive notice of jobs openings they weren't looking for. Candidates are less likely to miss available job opportunities and will be able to use the data-rich Google profiles to apply for a tailor-fit role. - Eddie Turner, Eddie Turner LLC 


12. Precision Will Be Needed 

We can think of the Google AI job search as the next step in data evolution. The job hunter will have results shown to them based on their own unique interests, expertise and experiences. For the person looking for new opportunities, it will be even more important to be precise in your target. If they don't, the results may be overwhelming and unproductive. - David B. Savage, Savage Management Ltd. 

(Via Forbes)