Job seekers who chat with bots are 36% more likely to recommend the employer — study

A new study by HRMOST, a hiring authorization service, reveals that digital tools in recruitment have become a key factor in shaping a company's reputation among candidates. The survey, which involved 2,000 Russians, found that 36% of those who have interacted with chatbots or AI assistants during their job search are willing to recommend employers that use such technologies.

Speed emerged as the primary driver of trust: 36% of respondents valued the ability to get information about a vacancy at any time of day. Another 30% appreciated the convenience of scheduling interviews independently through an online calendar. For 27%, transparency mattered most — the ability to track the status of their application, see whether the employer had viewed their resume, and know if a decision had been made.

Automation is not seen as a complete replacement for human interaction. A quarter of Russians prefer a human recruiter for initial contact but are open to using a bot for preliminary information gathering. 21% view AI assistants neutrally, as just another communication tool. Meanwhile, 16% see the presence of a digital assistant as a sign of a company's technological sophistication.

The generational divide is striking. Among Russians aged 18–24, 28% consider chatting with a bot as evidence of a modern employer — nearly three times the share among respondents aged 45–54, where only 10% feel the same way. Younger people are also far more receptive to automation during the onboarding stage: 50% of those aged 18–24 view it positively, compared to much lower rates among older age groups. The study underscores that for younger job seekers, digital tools are not just a convenience but a marker of an innovative and forward-thinking workplace.