Surge in AI Use Drives Spike in Graduate Teaching Job Applications

Graduate recruitment in the UK is undergoing significant changes as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an increasingly common tool for job applications. Teach First, a leading charity focused on fast-tracking graduates into teaching roles, has reported a substantial shift in the way candidates seek employment. Applications for Teach First positions have surged by nearly 30% this year, with AI playing a pivotal role in the increase.

According to Patrick Dempsey, executive director for programme talent at Teach First, this rise is partly attributed to a softening labour market and the ease with which AI tools enable graduates to streamline their applications. Automated tools are allowing candidates to apply for multiple positions simultaneously, significantly increasing the volume of applications received by major organisations. This surge is prompting a shift towards task-based assessments, including in-person evaluations like delivering ‘micro lessons,’ rather than relying solely on written submissions, which are increasingly assisted by AI.

Gradual changes in recruitment are also echoed by insights from Bright Network, a graduate employment specialist, which finds that half of recent job applicants now utilise AI to craft their applications. However, AI-aided applications are not without challenges. Employers report encountering tell-tale signs of automation, such as misplaced content or remnants of ChatGPT prompts within submissions, which can result in automatic rejections.

The broader graduate job market reveals a mixed picture. While positions for graduates and junior roles have declined by 32% since the advent of ChatGPT in late 2022, other sectors, such as school-leaver vacancies, are experiencing growth. Research by the Institute of Student Employers highlights a 23% increase in school-leaver roles, partially offsetting the reduction in graduate opportunities.

Technological advancements appear to be reshaping recruitment strategies across industries. Some candidates are even exploiting AI tools in ways that circumvent traditional screenings, such as using invisible keywords embedded in CVs, designed to appeal to automated hiring systems. Recruitment agencies and larger employers are now adjusting their processes, with over a quarter of surveyed companies planning to establish clear guidelines for AI usage in applications in preparation for the next recruitment cycle.

These changes in recruitment, coupled with a cooling graduate labour market, are prompting calls for universities to better prepare students for the shifting demands of the workforce. Experts stress that future success will require jobseekers to develop AI-related skills to adapt to the rapid transformations occurring in both recruitment and employment.