Did AI Reject Me? How Recruiters are Currently Using AI and Automations

2025-10-10

AI is changing the hiring process, but not in the way most candidates fear. In this podcast episode, Carina breaks down how applicant tracking systems are actually using AI today, why automated resume “fit” scores are often inaccurate for scientific roles, and where simple automations still drive real decisions. You’ll learn what recruiters really do when hundreds of resumes flood in, how Boolean keyword searches work, and why tailoring your resume to the job description still matters more than any gimmick. We also cover the rise of AI-driven follow‑ups and asynchronous video interviews, how to handle bot‑like application forms, and practical ways to showcase transferable skills as a career changer. This is a candid, recruiter‑level view of the ATS, specific actions to improve your visibility, and a clear picture of what’s coming next in biotech hiring so you can apply with confidence. Learn more about the Collaboratory Career Hub community and access our free resources: Join our Skool Community Take the Free 7-day Interview Sprint Challenge Check out our sister podcast: Building Biotechs Send Carina a connection request on LinkedIn! Stay connected with us: 🌐 Website 📱 Facebook 📷 Instagram 💼 LinkedIn 00:00 Is AI reviewing your resume? What’s real vs hype 01:00 ATS “AI” today: ranking and scoring… and why it’s often wrong for science 02:15 Legal constraints: AI can’t make hiring decisions in many states 03:00 Automations vs AI: knockout questions and policy filters 05:30 How recruiters actually screen: Boolean keyword searches at scale 06:45 Spotting bot‑driven applications and how to avoid looking like one 08:00 AI chatbots for follow‑ups: adding context, not auto‑rejecting 09:15 Asynchronous video interviews: why they’re growing and how to prep 10:30 Career changers: use async formats to surface transferable skills 11:05 Community invite and staying current on AI in recruiting