Unilever Is Ditching Resumes in Favor of Algorithm-Based Sorting

Traditionally, the hiring process has meant plenty of face-to-face interaction with candidates, with managers using interviews to narrow their candidate pools. But technology might give that method of operation the axe, as Kelsey Gee of The Wall Street Journal reports. Dutch-British Unilever, one of the largest consumer goods companies in the world with over 400 brands, is experimenting with a process that relies on artificial intelligence and an algorithm to recruit and sort job applicants. Mike Clementi, human resource executive with Unilever, explains to Gee that, given how young workers have a strong online presence and use smartphones on a regular basis, it no longer makes sense for the company to continue to recruit only at their handful of go-to college campuses. Unilever's new way of recruiting and sorting applicants works like this: Unilever has programmed their technology to measure specific elements, such as vocabulary, facial expressions and question response speed.