In today’s rapidly evolving hiring landscape, artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool used by recruiters—it’s now widely deployed by applicants, staffing firms, and third-party platforms to mass-generate job applications.
Recently, one of our higher education clients posted a technical role on a leading job board. Within just 14 hours, they received over 200 applications. Upon closer review, many were clearly auto-generated using AI tools—some didn’t align with the job requirements, and others seemed submitted without the applicants even knowing which institution they had applied to.
This experience is becoming increasingly common.
The Hidden Challenges of AI-Generated Applications
While online job boards remain an essential channel, the rise of AI-assisted submissions is creating new headaches for hiring committee:
- High volume, low relevance – Quality candidates get lost in a sea of automated responses .
- Reduced transparency – It’s harder to assess applicant intent or genuine interest.
- Increased workload – HR teams spend more time filtering, not hiring.
In short, the efficiency of AI-generated applications often comes at the cost of authenticity and fit.
The Case for a More Human-Centered Approach
Employee Referrals continue to outperform job board applications on virtually every key hiring metric:
Retention, time-to-hire, cultural fit, and overall quality of hire.
Yet most institutions limit referral programs to employees, missing the broader potential of trusted networks that already exist on campus—students, alumni, and community partners.
That’s where MyReferred™ makes the difference.
Developed by Hirezon specifically for higher education, MyReferred™ is a modern, scalable referral platform that expands beyond employees to activate your entire campus ecosystem.
With MyReferred™, colleges and universities can:
- Empower employees, students, and alumni to refer to trusted applicants
- Attract mission-aligned applicants who are more likely to stay
- Build a more diverse and credible talent pipeline
- Improve efficiency by focusing on qualified, relevant applicants
Why Referrals Still Win in an AI World
At a time when AI tools are flooding hiring systems with noise, institutions need a smarter, more human way to recruit.
MyReferred™ restores the trust, context, and connection that bots can’t deliver. It helps institutions identify candidates who are not only qualified, but also deeply aligned with their values and mission.
Discover the MyReferred™ Advantage
Ready to cut through the clutter and find the candidates who truly belong at your institution?
[Request a demo] and let us show you how MyReferred™ can help transform your hiring strategy.
Because at the end of the day, people hire people—not bots.
