As many as 87 per cent of Indian job seekers have used generative AI to enhance or draft their resumes, reveals Canva’s ‘New Year, New Job’ Report. According to the report, as many as 95 per cent of hiring managers in India believe AI makes onboarding easier. The latest report from the visual communication platform offers a nuanced look at how AI, social media, and online design tools impact the hiring process
The report suggests that those who embrace emerging tools and visual mediums, and create a strong professional brand, have a better chance of standing out. Essentially, these applicants are showing their skills in action with interactive resumes and portfolios and they are being noticed by hiring managers.
“From the use of AI to update resumes, streamline hiring processes, and identify top talent, to the growing preference for visually engaging resumes over traditional text formats, today’s job market is being redefined by innovation and creativity. In India, in particular, we’re witnessing the rise of personalised resumes that give a nod to the creative revolution that the country is currently undergoing; one that celebrates individuality and authenticity,” said Chandrika Deb, country manager, India, Canva.
According to Deb, visual mediums, creative storytelling, and a well-rounded digital professional brand are increasingly becoming a mainstay for Indians looking to land their dream jobs in the ever-evolving job market.
In 2024 alone, over 390 million resumes were published on Canva as professionals around the world sought to bring more creativity to improve their chances of landing a job. In drafting the report, Canva surveyed 4,200 hiring managers and 6,000 job seekers. The survey was conducted by Sago in the US, the UK, Australia, India, Germany, Spain, France, Mexico, Brazil, and Japan.
Findings from the report
Among those job seekers surveyed, 87 per cent use generative AI to update their resumes or create new ones. About 80 per cent saved time doing so, 79 per cent found it made their work easier, and 76 per cent revealed they felt more creative. As many as 69 per of hiring managers said that they are open to candidates using AI to create or update their job applications. Around 65 per cent feel that using AI makes it difficult for candidates to stand out and feel that disclosure is needed.
On the global scale, Indian job seekers stand out when it comes to AI-enhanced applications as 63 per cent said they are consistently using AI to customise their resumes when compared to candidates from other countries. Also, 84 per cent of Indian job seekers see design skills as pivotal to standing out in new roles. On the hiring side, 79 per of hiring managers predict the obsolescence of text-based resumes and 83 per cent favour digital portfolios. As many as 69 per cent favour resumes with visual elements, and 77 per cent prefer interactive features, highlighting the growing demand for creativity and innovation in job applications.
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On the hiring side, managers in India are including AI tools in their recruitment processes. Notably, 47 per cent use generative AI to summarise key points of resumes or cover letters. A similar number of managers said that they rely on AI to assist with or even write job descriptions. About 95 per cent of hiring managers agree that AI streamlines onboarding, and 90 percent use AI tools to generate onboarding material for new hires.