Building Ubiquitous Resume in an AI World

The pandemic jolted employees across organisations to adapt to varied work modules. The plethora of changing work dimensions redefined the résumé and its mode of presentation across various platforms. The changing recruitment dynamics propelled Manikanth Challa, Founder and CEO, Workruit, to devise an AI-powered recruitment platform, that matches talent and jobs. It enables employers and job seekers to connect in the wider recruitment marketplace. Manikanth shares his thoughts on AI-led HR ideas, the present and the future

"AI can complement HR agencies and Corporate HR by automating administrative tasks, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and providing deeper insights into candidate-employer matches, thus streamlining and improving the entire recruitment process."

— Manikanth Challa

Manikanth’s brainchild is an AI powered recruitment platform akin to an interactive dating app-like interface, where finding talent and jobs are done by swiping the profiles to pick the appropriate job match. “AI's potential in recruitment extends beyond matching skills to jobs. It can also facilitate skill gap analysis, offer personalised career development suggestions and enable continuous learning for professionals to stay competitive in evolving job markets,” said Manikanth Challa, Founder and CEO of Workruit.

With governments exploring newer ways of digitising their employment platforms across geographies, Manikanth shares his thoughts on deploying AI-led recruitment options.

Corporate Citizen: What triggered your vision for establishing Workruit?

Manikanth: The vision for Workruit emerged from my experience working with multiple startups, where I observed that the right employer employee matches were often serendipitous rather than systematic. The inefficiency and lost potential highlighted a need for better alignment in the recruitment industry. There was a considerable gap between job seekers' self-presentation and employers' understanding of their profiles, leading to mismatches and underutilisation of talent. I conceptualised Workruit as a platform that seamlessly connects employers and job seekers. Initially inspired by the swipe trend, we evolved into an AI-based career and recruitment platform, aiding job seekers in building strong resumes, connecting with relevant opportunities and assisting employers in finding quality talent.

CC: How old is the company?

Workruit was launched in February 2017 under the ownership of StoryTech Pvt Ltd, a company established in August 2016.

CC: How has your background in IT design and development helped in your journey?

My background in IT design and development has been pivotal in shaping our journey. It enabled conceptualising and developing the platform's technological architecture, leveraging cutting edge tools and techniques. It allowed me to create an innovative AI-based platform, facilitating a seamless interaction between job seekers and employers. It ensured the integration of user friendly design with advanced technology, making Workruit a user-centric and efficient solution for recruitment needs.

CC: What is your chosen AI platform for recruitment services?

The chosen AI platform for Workruit's recruitment services integrates a proprietary blend of AI and machine learning technologies to optimise resume building and matching processes.

CC: How has AI contributed to the resume building and recruitment sector?

AI has revolutionised the resume-building and recruitment sector by enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of candidate-employer matching. AI-powered algorithms enable precise analysis of candidate skills, qualifications and experience, ensuring that job seekers are effectively connected with suitable opportunities. This results in reduced mismatches and improved recruitment outcomes, benefitting both job seekers and employers.

CC: What are the changes anticipated in technology for this sector in the next 2-3 years?

The recruitment sector is expected to witness advancements in AI-driven personalisation, expanded utilisation of data analytics for refined candidate-employer matches and increased integration of automation for seamless recruitment processes.

CC: Have you developed any student and campus connections via your platform?

We recently initiated the ‘College Connect’ programme in Chennai, Coimbatore and Hyderabad, with plans to expand to other cities. The programme aims to bridge the gap between college students and potential employers, enhancing students' career prospects. It equips students with digital skills, networking opportunities, experiential learning and insights, fostering professional development.

CC: Does the technology vary for different levels of recruitment?

Our technology is designed to cater to diverse recruitment needs, from fresher-level candidates to experienced professionals. The platform's flexibility ensures effective matchmaking across various sectors, including corporate and government domains.

CC: With people pursuing multiple passions and day jobs, how effective are resume builders?

Resume builders remain highly effective for individuals managing diverse pursuits. The tools efficiently compile various skillsets and experiences, presenting a cohesive narrative that resonates with employers seeking multifaceted talents.

CC: Does AI offer new methods to highlight key skills for freelancers and gig workers?

Traditional resume builders can be limited for freelancers and gig workers due to the complexity of showcasing diverse projects and skills. AI-driven platforms offer innovative solutions, allowing them to curate portfolios and highlight relevant skills, enabling a more comprehensive representation of their capabilities.

CC: What transitions have your services experienced in the past five years, especially after Covid-19?

Over the past five years, we have evolved from a platform connecting employers and job seekers to a comprehensive career and recruitment platform. The Covid-19 pandemic further accelerated the need for efficient remote recruitment solutions, prompting Workruit to expand its offerings to address emerging virtual recruitment challenges.

CC: How substantial is the industry's ROI/revenue?

The recruitment industry's ROI/revenue is significant due to its essential role in workforce alignment. Our market share in India reflects the pioneering efforts in AI-driven recruitment solutions, positioning it as a transformative player in the sector

CC: How does India's AI recruitment market differ from global markets?

India's AI recruitment market showcases unique challenges and opportunities driven by its diverse talent pool and economic landscape. Our localised approach to AI recruitment addresses India's specific needs, differentiating it from global markets.

CC: Are public sector organisations adopting AI-driven recruitment benefits and mechanisms?

Public sector organisations are increasingly recognising the advantages of AI-driven recruitment solutions to streamline processes, enhance transparency and promote efficient talent acquisition.

CC: Can AI be the saviour in the wake of public recruitment scams?

AI holds the potential to minimise fraudulent practices in public recruitment by introducing standardised, transparent and data-driven processes, fostering credibility and accountability.

CC: What is your arrangement with the Govt of Telangana and its Recruitment Exchange programme?

Workruit collaborates with the Government of Telangana to operate and maintain the Digital Employment Exchange of Telangana (DEET). This partnership bridges the gap between job seekers and employers by providing end-to-end recruitment solutions.

CC: Can AI play a significant role in a person’s career choices?

AI can certainly assist individuals in making informed career choices by analysing their skills, preferences and market trends. However, human judgment, values and aspirations will remain essential in final decisions.

CC: How can AI, HR agencies and Corporate HR, optimise AI's benefits?

AI can complement HR agencies and Corporate HR by automating administrative tasks, enhancing data-driven decision-making and providing deeper insights into candidate-employer matches, thus streamlining and improving the entire recruitment process.

CC: What future transformation can AI bring to recruitment?

AI's potential in recruitment extends beyond matching skills to jobs. It can also facilitate skill gap analysis, offer personalised career development suggestions and enable continuous learning for professionals to stay competitive in evolving job markets.