Altius Link Introduces AI Interviews for New Graduate Recruitment

Altius Link Corporation, based in Shibuya, Tokyo and led by President Masatoshi Naya, has recently integrated AI interviews into their new graduate recruitment process as part of their Corporate Digital Transformation (DX) initiative. This move aims to streamline operations through efficient Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) while identifying areas where human value can be maximized.

Background of Implementation: Standardizing Evaluation Criteria and Strengthening Selection Framework

With rising competition in recruitment, the need to enhance connections with applicants and promote mutual understanding has become imperative. Altius Link recognized inconsistencies in the evaluation reports provided by interviewers. This inconsistency led to discrepancies in the information shared with final interviewers. Additionally, over 80 managers from different departments conducted first interviews, adding to the administrative workload for recruitment staff.

In light of these challenges, the company sought to optimize the recruitment process by exploring how advanced AI and technology could be applied effectively. However, utilization of AI in recruitment remains limited, with only 4.5% employing AI in interviews according to a survey by the Nikkei Newspaper.

Recognizing the need for heightened quality of interviews and improved applicant experience, Altius Link decided to implement AI interviews as a critical aspect of recruitment DX, focusing on standardized evaluation criteria and fostering more engaging interactions with applicants.

Benefits of Implementation: Fair and Consistent Evaluation Through AI

The comprehensive introduction of AI interviews began with a phased rollout for the recruitment of new graduates in 2027. The company verified the correlation between AI scores on ten evaluation items and the assessments made by recruiters, as well as analyzing the impact on applicant experiences and process efficiency.

Enhancing Interview Quality: Unified Evaluation Criteria

AI standardization aims to mitigate discrepancies in evaluations while visualizing and organizing individual applicants' strengths. Interviewers reported the advantage of being able to access first interview insights beforehand, enabling a deeper exploration of applicants' thoughts and motivations in the limited time available. Using AI scores clarified key points to review and enhance overall interview depth. There's potential to leverage qualitative information gained during the selection process for onboarding and role assignment after hiring.

Optimizing Recruitment Process: Reducing Administrative Burden

Historically, recruitment-related tasks consumed around 1,200 hours, but with the new AI initiative, Altius Link anticipates a 95% reduction in operational hours. This efficiency allows recruiters to focus more on applicant communication and follow-ups. Plans include enhancing recruitment content, organizing feedback sessions with applicants, and facilitating employee networking events—all aimed at enriching the applicant experience. This will help candidates better articulate their career aspirations and identify how their strengths can be applied within the company, fostering a more satisfying and informed job search environment.

Applicant Experience: Positive Responses from Survey

Surveys showing that 83% of participants regarded the AI interview positively indicate an effective introduction to this new format. Many students who tried AI interviews for the first time described it as a valuable and thought-provoking experience, highlighting the opportunity to reflect on their background. Although some participants expressed apprehensions about recording sessions, updates and guidelines on interview protocols are expected to alleviate concerns.

Going forward, the goal is to further strengthen connections with applicants and enhance information dissemination, continually improving recruitment experiences across the board. The insights gained from implementing AI in the new graduate hiring sector will contribute to ongoing development of recruitment DX methodologies and optimization solutions.

Future Outlook: Fostering Mutual Understanding in Recruitment

As the landscape of values and career perspectives among students becomes more diverse, it is increasingly important to treat various talents fairly and understand their unique characteristics during the recruiting process. AI interviews serve to mitigate bias in evaluations, delivering a more consistent and equitable selection process. This has not only streamlined evaluations but also lessened relocation and scheduling burdens for candidates, allowing them to engage in interviews at their convenience.

The expectation is that AI interviews will foster a less intimidating atmosphere compared to in-person interviews, providing a natural environment for candidates to express their strengths and thoughts. It's vital to emphasize that AI serves as an auxiliary tool to enhance selection quality; human oversight will always remain in evaluating decisions based on AI-generated reports. Additionally, facilitating opportunities for candidates to connect with employees enhances understanding of the company culture.

Moving forward, Altius Link aims to utilize technological advancements to improve the quality of interaction time with candidates, ultimately creating reasonable and fulfilling connections.