As AI tools like ChatGPT revolutionize the hiring process, traditional methods of screening candidates are struggling to keep up. At skilldeo, we’ve seen firsthand how generative AI is changing the way candidates present themselves, and it’s not always for the better.
The ChatGPT Effect on Hiring
Once upon a time, a well-written resume and a strong phone interview indicated a promising candidate. But now:
- Cover letters can be generated in seconds
- AI can guide candidates through phone interviews
- Experience can be fabricated with AI-generated project descriptions
This shift means traditional screening is failing to distinguish between genuinely qualified candidates and those skilled at using AI tools.
The True Cost of Bad Hires in 2025
The financial burden of a poor hire has always been significant—typically 1.5 to 3 times the annual salary. In 2025, the effects stretch beyond just the bottom line:
- Customer Experience: A poor hire in customer service can ruin client relationships before issues are noticed.
- Team Morale: Teams suffer when they have to pick up the slack for an underperforming colleague.
- Innovation: Constantly replacing and retraining employees hampers innovation.
- Competitive Disadvantage: Companies with inefficient hiring processes fall behind stable, high-performing competitors.
The Case for Visual Assessment
Traditional hiring methods rely too heavily on what candidates say, rather than what they do. At skilldeo, we focus on performance, which can’t be easily faked. Video-based assessments provide key benefits:
- Authentic Reactions Under Pressure: Scenario-based questions reveal true problem-solving and communication abilities—traits that AI can’t fake in real-time.
- Non-Verbal Cues: Non-verbal communication plays a huge role in effective communication, and video assessments capture these aspects that phone screenings miss.
- Standardized Evaluation: Consistent scenarios reduce bias and ensure fair evaluations across all candidates.
Real Results: Beyond the Hype
Companies using video assessments report significant improvements:
- Retention Rates: 58% increase in first-year retention for roles screened via video.
- Time-to-Hire: 40% reduction in screening time, with some companies filling roles in half the usual time.
- Quality of Hire: 87% of hiring managers are more satisfied with candidates screened through video assessments compared to traditional methods.
The Future of Screening is Visual
As AI evolves, the gap between what candidates present on paper and their actual abilities will only widen. Forward-thinking companies are already adapting by:
- Reducing reliance on easily manipulated metrics like resume keywords
- Using structured video assessments early in the process
- Leveraging AI as a tool to enhance evaluations, not replace them
- Building pre-assessed talent pipelines
Making the Transition
Shifting to visual assessments doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Many companies start by:
- Testing video assessments in customer-facing roles where communication is key
- Running parallel processes to compare results
- Expanding to other roles once ROI is proven
Conclusion: Words vs. Performance
In 2025, the companies gaining a competitive edge are those who see candidates in action before making hiring decisions. The resume era is over—the performance era has begun. The question is not whether your organization will adapt, but when—and at what cost if you delay.
About skilldeo: skilldeo provides AI-powered video assessment technology that helps companies identify top talent through scenario-based evaluations, reducing time-to-hire by 40% while improving quality of hire and retention rates.