• You can apply digitally to practically any company
• Two-thirds also conduct job interviews via video conferencing
• However, AI is still rarely used in recruiting

Receiving application documents by email or via an online portal is standard practice in German companies. However, significantly fewer digital tools are used in the further course of the application process – and artificial intelligence is still rarely used in recruiting in Germany. For example, only 4 per cent of companies have an AI chatbot that answers questions during the application process, but 25 per cent can imagine using one in the future. Three per cent rely on an AI-based skills or potential analysis of applicants (29 per cent can imagine using it), just one per cent each say they screen applications with AI help (21 per cent can imagine doing so) or have job interviews conducted by an AI (seven per cent consider this possible in the future). These are the results of a survey of 852 companies in Germany with 3 or more employees conducted on behalf of the digital association Bitkom. ‘AI is still very rarely used in the application process in Germany. However, it can help HR managers to make more informed decisions and also answer questions about the application process or the job quickly and easily for interested parties,’ says Adél Holdampf-Wendel, Head of Future of Work at the digital association Bitkom.

Other digital tools, on the other hand, have long been standard in the application process. For example, practically all (100 per cent) of companies allow applicants to submit their documents digitally, and 88 per cent store the documents in a pool for later selection in case the application is not accepted immediately. Around two-thirds (63 per cent) of companies conduct at least some interviews via video conference, around half (47 per cent) conduct online tests or digital assessment centre exercises, and 13 per cent use digital trial work. For a quarter of companies (25 per cent), the employment contract can also be signed digitally. ‘Digital technologies not only make HR departments more efficient, they also make the application process much more convenient for applicants. In times of a shortage of skilled workers, this can give companies a competitive edge in the race to attract talent,’ says Holdampf-Wendel.

Companies are particularly interested in the digital signing of employment contracts. Although 46 per cent of companies do not yet use this, they can imagine doing so in the future. 31 per cent consider digital trial work to be possible, 21 per cent online testing, 15 per cent job interviews via video conference and 11 per cent the creation of an application pool for later selection.

The use of digital technologies in personnel recruitment and retention, as well as numerous other topics related to the digital world of work – from the role of leadership in transformation to the AI empowerment of companies and employees – will also be the subject of Bitkom’s Work & Culture on 20 March as part of TRANSFORM at Station Berlin. All information is available online at: transform.show/programm/digitalkonferenzen/work-culture

Note to editors: Media representatives can register for TRANSFORM and Work & Culture at transform.show/presse.

Note on methodology: The information is based on a survey conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of digital association Bitkom. A total of 852 companies in Germany with three or more employees were interviewed by telephone between calendar weeks 38 and 44 in 2024. The survey is representative. The question was: ‘To what extent does your company currently use these digital tools in the application process or can imagine using them in the future?’