Virtual job interviews don't let people shine, says Burnham

A young woman with short hair wearing a grey denim shirt working in an office, sitting with arms crossed at the desk in front on computer.

Image source, Getty ImagesByJennifer MeierhansBusiness reporter

Published13 minutes ago

Bosses should not rely so heavily on virtual job interviews when hiring as they don't capture candidates' personality and passion, Andy Burnham has said.

"One thing I really don't like is this culture now of interviewing via Zoom or Teams," the prime minister told a careers podcast, adding: "How does a young person shine in that situation?"

With record youth unemployment and vacancies half what they were in recent years employers are increasingly turning to AI to sift through the huge volume of applications and favouring online interviews over in person.

But some young people have told the BBC the experience of applying for hundreds of jobs and never hearing back is "robotic and brutal".

It comes as some 89% of UK recruiters say they are planning to use more AI in the hiring process this year, according to data from Linked In.

Speaking to former political adviser Jimmy McLoughlin on his podcast Jimmy's Jobs of the Future, Burnham said he was concerned that the use of technology was not making recruitment processes "fairer".

"How do you get over some of your personality, your passion?" he asked, referring to virtual interviews. "It seems to me to then work against people who have that side to their character and work for those who are just giving the more formulaic answer.

"I do worry about that and I've seen that in relation to my kids and their situation."

Burnham also said the government would place more emphasis on "social value" when awarding contracts, which could include whether firms offer young people work experience.

The PM has said he wants to increase the number of 45-day placements, to give 16 to 18-year-olds the chance to spend more time with an employer and gain practical experience.