Teach First is speeding up its shift away from written assessments because graduates are leaning heavily on AI for job applications.
The UK-based charity, which fast-tracks grads into teaching roles, will rely more on face-to-face tasks like “micro lessons” to vet candidates. This cuts down on AI-assisted written assignments, which can hide automated help.
Half of all grads now use AI when applying for jobs, up from 38% last year, according to Bright Network. That surge has pushed Teach First to respond urgently. 
Patrick Dempsey, executive director for programme talent at Teach First, pointed to a near 30% jump in applications this year, boosted by automation helping candidates apply to more roles at once.
“The shift from written assessment to task-based assessment is something we feel the need to accelerate,” Patrick Dempsey said.
“There are instances where people are leaving the tail end of a ChatGPT message in an application answer, and of course they get rejected.”
Bright Network’s Kirsten Barnes also noted the flood of AI-powered applications is turning into a numbers game for employers.
“AI tools make it easier for candidates of any age – not just graduates – to apply to many, many different roles,” she said.
“Employers have been saying to us that what they’re seeing is a huge surge in the volume of applications that they’re receiving.”
Other changes include sneaky tactics like using white-text keywords on CVs to game AI screening software, according to Dartmouth Partners.
Meanwhile, entry-level and graduate job openings are shrinking. Since ChatGPT’s November 2022 debut, graduate, apprentice, and junior role listings dropped 32%, says Adzuna. Indeed found a 33% decline in graduate role adverts this June compared to last year.
The Institute of Student Employers found graduate vacancies down 7%, but school-leaver roles up 23%, making a slight net rise overall. Group GTI also reported an 8% increase in UK university job postings this year.
Experts agree AI hasn’t yet wrecked the graduate job market but will reshape it fast. Reed CEO James Reed expressed sympathy for grads caught in a tough market and called on universities to prepare students better.
“I think universities should be looking at this and thinking quite carefully about how they prepare young people,” James Reed said.
“This change is fundamental and five years from now it’s going to look very different – the whole job market.”
