There’s no doubt that artificial intelligence is changing the way we recruit. From automated CV screening to scheduling interviews, AI tools can save time, cut down admin, and quickly highlight candidates who look like a good match on paper. The efficiency is impressive, and for busy businesses, that speed is a big advantage.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned in more than 25 years in recruitment: the “perfect CV” doesn’t always belong to the perfect candidate. Some of the best people I’ve placed over the years weren’t actively looking for a new job, and many had never even written a CV. On the flip side, I’ve seen CVs that tick every box against a job description, yet the candidate just wasn’t the right fit once we got to know them.

That’s where the human touch comes in. AI can match keywords and filter applications, but it can’t sit with a client and understand the culture of their business. It can’t sense the potential in someone who might not have the exact experience on paper, but has the right attitude, transferable skills, and drive to succeed. And it certainly can’t build the trust and relationships that make recruitment so personal.

For me, the future of recruitment isn’t about humans versus AI — it’s about using both together. AI takes care of the time-consuming tasks and helps us work more efficiently. That gives recruiters like me more time to do what we do best: listen, understand, and connect people with opportunities that can genuinely change their lives.

At Bespoke Career Solutions Ltd, we use the latest technology to make the process smoother, but the heart of what we do will always be about people. Because no matter how clever the software gets, recruitment will always need empathy, instinct, and human judgement.