Half of HR professionals struggle with automation: Equifax survey

GEORGIA, UNITED STATES — A recent survey by Equifax reveals that 50% of HR professionals find technology automation one of their biggest challenges in managing talent acquisition and onboarding. 

The survey, conducted among 254 HR executives at the SHRM25 Conference in San Diego between June 29 to July 1, highlights how HR teams are eager to use AI and emerging technologies to streamline routine workflows but face hurdles in doing so effectively.

Chris Johnson, Senior VP at Equifax Workforce Solutions, emphasized that “HR professionals increasingly want to automate the time-intensive aspects of their days so they can focus on the human-first parts” of their roles that drive employee engagement and retention. 

Despite these aspirations, many HR teams are still adapting to tech changes that would simplify internal processes and improve employee experiences.

Fake resumes and verification gaps create risk

The survey showed that 71% of HR professionals have come across fabricated or misleading resume information during hiring, particularly relating to employment history, education, and credentials. Only 20% felt very confident in detecting these falsifications.

Bart Lautenbach, Senior VP of Talent Solutions at Equifax, noted the growing problem in the “age of AI-generated resumes.” He warned that failing to uncover exaggerations can be costly for organizations, urging employers to use automated employment verifications. 

Equifax research further indicates that candidates’ past job tenure predicts future retention, underscoring the value of thorough verifications.

Speed-to-hire and onboarding need improvement

Another concern revealed by the survey is the slow hiring and onboarding processes faced by many organizations. Fewer than 12% of respondents said their companies consistently hire quickly, risking losing top talent. Additionally, 83% identified their onboarding procedures as needing improvement.

Automation technologies offer opportunities to accelerate these processes. By digitizing onboarding paperwork, compliance checks, and verifications, HR teams can enhance speed and accuracy while improving the new hire experience. 

More than three-quarters (76%) of HR professionals reported already using AI to boost hiring and onboarding efficiency, though many admit there is room to further exploit these tools.

As technology reshapes the workplace, HR leaders must overcome automation challenges and verification hurdles to secure and retain the best talent efficiently.