According to research published by workplace engagement platform Kahoot!, nearly two-thirds (65%) of graduates use AI tools like ChatGPT to write cover letters and applications. January 22nd.
More than half (51%) of graduates admit to exaggerating their skills on their resume or LinkedIn profile to improve their chances of securing a role, an analysis of survey responses from 2,000 recent graduates has found.
Nearly six in 10 (59%) say they rely on AI tools to complete daily tasks because they feel they are inadequately trained or lack the skills needed to meet the demands of the job.
Employment history is the most commonly embellished story, with 53% admitting to exaggerating it. This is followed by technical skills (46%) and hobbies and side projects (43%).
Graduates also reported inflating their language skills (39%), education or qualifications (37%), and job title or role (36%).
Caroline Fisher, UK country manager for recruitment platform Welcome to the Jungle, said: “While these findings reflect growing confidence among graduates in using digital tools, they are also a red flag for employers.” Human resources department magazine.
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Nearly six in 10 new hires say they rely on AI for day-to-day tasks because they feel unprepared, a sign that onboarding, training, and expectations are not keeping up with early-career talent entering the workplace, he explained.
“For HR teams, the answer is not to monitor the use of AI, but to understand it,” Fisher says. He advised that good employers will train graduates to use AI to edit themselves, question their own ideas and be prepared for opposing views, but ensure that AI does not replace their humanity and individuality.
talk to Human resources department Remi Gay, senior talent manager at recruitment agency Robert Half, said graduates use AI tools on a daily basis, from filling out applications to completing day-to-day tasks once they’re hired.
“Rather than seeing this as a threat, HR teams are recognizing that AI-assisted working is becoming a core skill in its own right,” she said.
Gay advised recruiters to signal that responsible use of AI is a welcome skill and encourage openness. “Most of today’s roles are already shaped by AI, so setting clear expectations around digital literacy from the beginning is a win-win,” she added.
Sheila Flavell, chief operating officer at technology consultancy FDM Group, added that while AI can be used to polish resumes and cover letters, refine structure and correct grammar, “applications need to reflect graduates’ unique experiences, skills and ambitions, and these are areas where AI is not.”
Flavel said. Human resources department Magazine: “The key for recruitment teams and HR is not to avoid using AI in applications; it’s to ensure that it doesn’t replace the authenticity that ultimately differentiates graduates.”
Ewan Cameron, founder and CEO of recruitment-focused technology company Willo, agreed, saying: Human resources department According to the magazine, employers continue to rely too heavily on resumes and cover letters, which often reflect a candidate’s access to technology and skills rather than their true suitability for the role.
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“To overcome challenges, HR leaders should shift their focus to clearer, more human signals such as structured interviews, skill-based questions, and role-related tasks,” Cameron said.
He explained that all of this can be aided by technology, including AI tools, but the aim must be to design fairer, more intentional processes where technology supports but never replaces human judgment.
Teresa Wilson, director of operations at workplace solutions company ManpowerGroup, said while AI-generated or augmented applications may pass algorithms, they are rarely accepted by recruiters. Human resources department magazine.
“Employers need to look for other ways to identify and quickly capture human-centered talent opportunities,” she added.
“We encourage job seekers to work smarter, not harder. Use the tools at your disposal to build and enhance what you’re creating, and proofread it to ensure it more closely matches the role.”
Cassie Gasson, co-founder of workplace learning technology company Thrive Learning, added, “For HR, it’s an opportunity to go beyond the polished resume and understand the ecosystem that candidates are already using.”
talk to Human resources department In the magazine, she suggested that employers map how candidates are using AI, rather than resisting it, to understand what tools candidates rely on and what support they need.
Kahoot! commissioned OnePoll to survey 2,000 recent UK university graduates in December 2025.
