The Power of AI in Job Search
In a recent survey conducted by Adzuna in March 2025, a total of 1,200 British and American jobseekers shared their experiences with AI tools in their job search. The survey aimed to understand the impact of AI on the job market and how jobseekers perceive its role. The results revealed an interesting picture of AI adoption, with significant differences between the UK and the US.
AI Adoption in the UK and US
• In the UK, 59% of jobseekers have used AI in their job search. • Among them, 44% report using AI frequently, with 19% relying on AI tools for every job application. • Only 6% said they rarely use AI tools in job search. In the US, the figures are slightly lower, with 45% of jobseekers using AI in their job search. However, 23% of American jobseekers report using AI frequently, with 12% relying on AI tools for every job application. These numbers demonstrate the growing adoption of AI in the job market, with both countries showing a significant increase in AI usage over the past two years.
Jobseekers’ Demand for AI-Powered Job Search Tools
Despite the widespread adoption of AI, the majority (86%) of jobseekers want more AI tools to support their job search. The most sought-after features include:
• CV and cover letter writing (46%)
• Interview preparation (44%)
• Automated job applications (41%)
These features are designed to help jobseekers streamline their job search process, increase their chances of landing an interview, and save time.
The Role of Adzuna in AI-Powered Job Search
For over 14 years, Adzuna has been at the forefront of AI in the job market. The company has leveraged its technology and data expertise to support Number 10 in understanding the job market and match jobseekers to jobs. Today, Adzuna is delighted to announce its next AI-powered tool, ApplyIQ, a free job search agent that harnesses the power of large language models (LLMs) to intelligently match users with jobs that align with their skills, experience, and career goals.
ApplyIQ: A Game-Changer in AI-Powered Job Search
Without altering users’ CVs, ApplyIQ automatically applies to the most relevant roles on their behalf in near real time – even when they are sleeping. The alpha version of ApplyIQ was rolled out in December 2024, and the results have been impressive:
• 73% of ApplyIQ early adopters have rated the cutting-edge tool as user-friendly. • Nearly 40% of early adopters secured at least one interview since signing up. ApplyIQ sets a new benchmark for the industry and truly delivers on Adzuna’s promises to both jobseekers and employers. By prioritizing relevance and quality above all else, ApplyIQ empowers jobseekers to find better, more fulfilling jobs and enables employers to make smarter hiring decisions and find the candidates they need efficiently.
AI Impact on Job Search Process
The survey revealed that British jobseekers are overwhelmingly positive about the role of AI in their job search. Two-thirds (67%) agree that AI tools like ApplyIQ are improving the job market. 74% said AI has streamlined their job search process, and 31% reported saving more than 30 minutes per application on average.
Benefits of AI for Female Jobseekers
AI has been particularly impactful for female jobseekers, with almost half (47%) reporting a significantly faster application process with AI, and a further 7% saying AI has helped them save more than 2 hours per application on average. Additionally, 67% agree that AI has helped them feel more confident in their job search, with more than a third (33%) strongly agreeing.
Jobseekers’ Perception of AI Use in Job Search
Despite widespread media coverage of candidates using AI to cheat in job interviews, the majority (57%) of jobseekers do not consider using AI tools in job search as cheating. More than a quarter (27%) think it is cheating but justifiable, while one in six (16%) see it as cheating but don’t feel guilty. Meanwhile, close to a quarter think it remains cheating even if the user reviews the AI-regenerated response.
Acceptability of AI Use in Job Search
Looking closer, more jobseekers find it acceptable to use AI to prepare for interviews (85% vs 15%), optimize job applications (75% vs 25%), mass apply to jobs (54% vs 46%), and write CV and cover letters from scratch (53% vs 47%). Conversely, more jobseekers think it is unacceptable to use AI for generating answers during live interviews (69% vs 31%) and completing test assignments (71% vs 30%).
Conclusion
Doug Monro, co-founder and CEO of Adzuna, comments: “AI is revolutionising every industry, and the job market is no exception. Our survey reveals that in just two years since the ChatGPT breakthrough, more than half of UK jobseekers have already embraced AI, and the impact on job seekers has been overwhelmingly positive, with demand for even more AI-powered job search tools like ApplyIQ. There’s a lot of AI hype out there, but also a need for real solutions.
