Robert Half survey: 67% of HR leaders report AI-generated applications are slowing hiring

Rhea-AI Summary

Robert Half (NYSE:RHI) survey dated March 10, 2026 finds AI-generated or AI-enhanced job applications are slowing hiring and increasing HR workloads. Key stats: 67% of HR leaders say reviewing AI applications slowed hiring, 84% report heavier workloads, and 65% cite harder skill verification.

Employers add screening steps; 67% use staffing firms and 89% say those partners are effective at verifying candidates and delivering pre-evaluated talent.

Positive

• 67% of HR leaders report AI review has slowed hiring
• 89% say staffing partners effectively address AI-related hiring challenges
• 67% of organizations are using staffing firms for hiring support

Negative

• 20% of HR leaders report hiring delays longer than two weeks
• 84% of HR teams report heavier workloads due to AI applications
• 65% of hiring managers find AI-enhanced resumes make skills harder to verify

News Market Reaction – RHI

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On the day this news was published, RHI declined 3.85%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 13 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $94M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $2.34B at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

• 84% of HR teams report heavier workloads as AI-tailored applications increase
• 65% of hiring managers say AI-enhanced resumes make skills harder to verify

MENLO PARK, Calif., March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes hiring, organizations are finding it more difficult — and time-consuming — to identify skilled talent. A survey from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half found that 67% of U.S. HR leaders say reviewing AI-generated applications has slowed the hiring process, with 20% reporting delays of more than 2 weeks.

AI adds complexity to hiring

The rapid rise in the use of AI tools by job seekers is creating new challenges for employers. 65% of hiring managers report that a surge in applications — many enhanced or generated by AI — has increased the difficulty of verifying candidate skills. In some cases, generative AI tools are fabricating or embellishing work history and skills, making it harder for employers to distinguish authentic experience from AI-generated content. In a market where highly skilled talent is already scarce, this adds time, risk and cost to hiring.

Notably, HR leaders feel the strain, as 84% say their teams are experiencing heavier workloads. To validate candidates, many leaders have added steps that can further extend hiring timelines, including:

• Spending more time reviewing applications (42%)
• Increasing the number of interviews per candidate (38%)
• Updating job descriptions to discourage generic AI-generated responses (32%)

"AI has transformed hiring at every stage," said Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half. "Companies are looking to hire, but a surge in unverified applications is extending timelines and delaying critical work."

How can companies cut through the AI noise?

As organizations look for ways to maintain hiring speed and accuracy, many are turning to external partners. Two-thirds of respondents (67%) say they are using staffing firms for hiring support, and 89% report that those partners have been effective in addressing AI-related hiring challenges, primarily by:

• Leveraging advanced tools to help verify candidate materials
• Conducting targeted skills assessments
• Delivering pre-evaluated, specialized talent quickly for high-priority roles

In addition, staffing firms like Robert Half provide talent with proven skills and experiences based on proprietary candidate performance data from prior engagements. This provides employers with even greater confidence in candidate quality.

"The findings underscore the continued importance of human expertise in assessing talent and reducing hiring risk," Fay added. "AI has made it easier to generate applications, but it hasn't made it easier to identify the right talent. In many cases, it's doing the opposite — increasing the need for trusted experts who can validate skills and deliver qualified candidates quickly."

For more insights, visit Robert Half's Career, Hiring & Employer Advice page.

FAQ:

Why is AI making the hiring process longer for employers?
AI-generated resumes and increased applicant volume enabled by AI are creating more work for hiring managers. Hiring teams are spending more time verifying skills, assessing authenticity and evaluating unqualified applicants.

Are AI-generated resumes always inaccurate or misleading?
Not all AI-generated applications are inaccurate or misleading. Many candidates use AI responsibly to improve clarity or grammar. The challenge for employers is the volume of unverified applications and the difficulty distinguishing authentic experiences from AI-fabricated content.

How can staffing firms help employers navigate AI-driven hiring challenges?
Staffing firms can help streamline candidate evaluations, reduce hiring risk and verify candidate authenticity through proprietary performance data and candidate validation processes.

About the research
The research is gathered from a survey developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in November 2025. The survey contains responses from more than 2,000 hiring managers in the United States.

About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at roberthalf.com.

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SOURCE Robert Half

FAQ

How did the Robert Half March 10, 2026 survey say AI is affecting hiring speed for RHI?

AI is slowing hiring: 67% of HR leaders report review of AI-generated applications has delayed hires. According to Robert Half, 20% of respondents reported delays exceeding two weeks, and many employers have added screening steps that extend timelines.

What percentage of HR teams reported heavier workloads in the Robert Half survey (RHI) on March 10, 2026?

Eighty-four percent reported heavier workloads from AI-driven applications and verification work. According to Robert Half, HR teams are spending more time reviewing resumes and managing increased application volume, causing staffing strain and longer hiring cycles.

How are staffing firms helping employers navigate AI-driven hiring challenges according to Robert Half (RHI)?

Staffing firms provide verification and pre-evaluated talent: 89% of respondents said partners were effective. According to Robert Half, firms use advanced tools, targeted skills assessments, and proprietary performance data to reduce hiring risk and speed placements.

What hiring process changes did companies report using to counter AI-generated applications in the RHI survey?

Employers added screening: 42% spend more time reviewing applications and 38% increased interviews per candidate. According to Robert Half, 32% updated job descriptions to discourage generic AI responses, lengthening the overall hiring process.

Does the March 10, 2026 Robert Half (RHI) survey say all AI-generated resumes are misleading or inaccurate?

No, not all are inaccurate; many improve clarity or grammar while some fabricate details. According to Robert Half, the core issue is volume and difficulty distinguishing authentic experience from AI-embellished content, which increases verification work for employers.