Jessica O'ConnorThe way organisations recruit talent is undergoing major change as employers face rising application volumes and growing use of AI-driven hiring processes, according to Oleeo.
Charles Hipps, chief executive officer of Oleeo, said hiring processes are being fundamentally redesigned as recruitment teams struggle to keep pace with demand.
Hipps said: “Organisations are facing a recruitment environment that looks nothing like it did even five years ago.
“The challenge is finding the right talent efficiently, fairly, and sustainably.”
Among the biggest shifts identified is the sharp increase in application volumes, with some recruitment campaigns now attracting more than 20,000 applicants.
Hipps added: “Across multiple sectors, we’re seeing application volumes increase by 40% year-on-year.
“Yet most recruitment teams haven’t grown at the same pace, leaving them under intense pressure.”
Hipps said organisations are increasingly moving away from relying solely on CVs and instead using structured assessments earlier in the hiring process.
He noted: “The CV is no longer the gatekeeper it once was. More organisations are now using behavioural and structured assessments at the outset, focusing on qualities like resilience, adaptability, and determination.”
He added that assessment-led recruitment can reduce manual screening while improving fairness and helping employers identify high-potential candidates.
The commentary also highlighted changing workforce expectations around flexibility and workplace culture.
According to Hipps, interview processes are also becoming increasingly difficult to manage operationally as employers attempt to scale hiring without harming candidate experience.
He said organisations should focus on streamlining processes, integrating early-stage assessments and adopting structured interview approaches that evaluate core competencies more efficiently.
Concluding his outlook on recruitment trends for 2026, Hipps said hiring is becoming increasingly strategic for organisations.
He added: “Recruitment is no longer transactional; it’s strategic.
“Companies that invest in better processes, listen to what teams are struggling with, and adapt to changing dynamics will be better positioned to succeed in the years ahead.”
