New AI tool automates hundreds of LinkedIn job applications
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — A free AI tool called AIHawk is reshaping how some job seekers approach their application process on LinkedIn, though it comes with potential risks and ethical considerations.
How AIHawk transforms job hunting
Federico Elia, a 23-year-old software engineer from Italy, created AIHawk after experiencing firsthand the tedious nature of job hunting. The free tool automates LinkedIn’s easy-apply process, allowing users to submit hundreds of applications daily. Since its launch in August, AIHawk has gained significant traction, with over 20,000 bookmarks on GitHub and a thriving community of 6,000 members on Telegram.
“It was really efficient,” Elia told the Business Insider. “I sent like 1,000 applications and received a lot of interview proposals.”
Technical challenges and safety concerns
The tool’s emergence comes at a crucial time when job openings are at their lowest in four years, particularly affecting the tech industry, which has seen a 20% decrease in IT role hiring since 2018, according to LinkedIn.
While AIHawk streamlines the application process, users have reported significant concerns. Anthony Ettinger, a 49-year-old Silicon Valley software engineer, discovered that earlier versions of the tool occasionally inserted false qualifications into resumes. Recent updates have addressed these issues, allowing users to submit unmodified resumes and verify submissions before they’re sent.
User experiences and platform response
Tommi, a 28-year-old data engineering aspirant in Mexico City, has utilized the tool to apply for over 1,000 positions. “I can basically just leave it on autopilot applying for jobs,” he explained, noting that he averages about one interview and three pre-interview examinations weekly.
However, LinkedIn’s stance on such automation tools remains unclear. The platform’s user agreement prohibits “third-party software that scrapes or automates activity on LinkedIn,” though users suggest the tool’s human-like behavior makes it difficult to detect.
Alexander Alonso from the Society for Human Resource Management notes that while HR departments are concerned about false information in applications, mass-application tools might actually benefit recruitment.
“It is having a positive effect in that you’re seeing a broader pool of people come to your job,” Alonso said.
Despite the controversy, Elia has transformed the project into AIHawk.co, aiming to develop a comprehensive job search platform. The tool’s GitHub page now includes a disclaimer stating it’s for educational purposes only, encouraging users to comply with platform terms of service.
