Chatbots are add-on applications built to sustain various conversations with humans through a chat room. The software uses sophisticated coding and sometimes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to mimic a real person.

This highly affordable piece of technology automates tasks and lessens costs by reducing human involvement. By doing so, chatbots free up time for employees to do more complicated projects that require critical thinking, empathy, and other unique skills.

Industries are foreseeing an investment of $4.5 Billion by 2021 in intelligent assistants. And change is coming fast, with 80% of businesses saying they’ll adopt chatbot technology sometime soon. Chances are, you’re going to work with one in the next few years. Fear not – they’re here to help.

Programmers plan out different scenarios and functions. Chatbots can be both active or reactive actors. The first line of deployment for chatbots is in digital Customer Service (CS), mainly online. They’re the pop-up chat that comes out when visiting certain websites. An avatar then greets you and asks if you need any help, giving you some options below. The AI-powered app acts like a ready-to-go CS representative that’s available round the clock. Chatbots communicate through text or text-to-speech and function on multiple channels. Additionally, they’re also equipped with problem-solving capabilities, depending on the programming. That’s why chatbots are in demand: promptness and versatility.

Employees are going to benefit from chatbots in many job-related aspects. They’ll have a virtual assistant by their side in every step of the process: on-boarding, training, troubleshooting, etc. Voice recognition will make chatbots even more accessible, said Lisa N. from Mimy.

Faster hiring process

On-boarding a new asset is a complicated process, filled with procedures and paperwork. Some 90% of employees think that their firm has a dysfunctional hiring process. Another 40% think it’s too slow. Similar feedback and statistics are scanned by chatbots along the way to help the employer improve.

Chatbots can help by taking care of tedious tasks and ensuring smooth communication. The tech can handle clock-ins, data filings, such as the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form, FAQs, schedule planning, and much more – all instantly and on-demand.

Reduced human bias

Everybody is biased one way or another. Prejudice developed by our subconscious may affect integrity, such as the interview process. Frictions between humans are commonplace and can hinder a meritocratic selection process. Chatbots will drastically reduce the issue by examining pre-candidacy requisites and conducting a large portion of the interview. Only a shortlist of applicants will reach the human HR officer with added attachments such as test results, brand compatibility, data-proven reviews, etc.

Updated Employee Self-Service (ESS)

Chatbots have new-gen coding and interface design to make ESS more efficient. Every time you’ll want to check your benefits, contact details, company policy, and similar, a chatbot will instantly retrieve that information. Also, if you’ll want to update your address, ask for days off, schedule change, and other requests will pass directly through a chatbot. HR systems will then compile your inquiry and follow company procedure.

Chatbots don’t make major decisions but act as an instant middle-man who adds value through computing power and AI-assisted analysis. The person that has the last say will at least have more information to work with and less bureaucracy.

Better training

Workplace instruction is a fundamental component in business. It relates to safety, productivity, and many other facets of the industry vital to the company’s success. Employees are favorable to more training as it helps them keep safe and grow professionally. The lack of instruction is frequently a dealbreaker for workers.

Traditional ways of workplace development devised one-for-all training plans that were lengthy and lacked engagement. More so, companies did whatever they could to avoid articulated training curriculums that consumed time and resources.

Today, chatbots changed the methodology to a more on-the-spot training practice that’s personalized and available 24/7. Chatbots will guide you through the particularities of the job post, as well as safety and compliance eLearning courses. Custom-made apps will answer your questions, give you tips, allow you to study in-depth, and demonstrate through examples.

Superior employer branding

Companies are on the lookout for viable candidates all the time. They invest big money in outreach efforts. Publicity will give you high application submission but doesn’t guarantee good pairing. Spending resources on conventional recruiting strategies isn’t the best way to get the ideal candidate. Even large candidate pools could lack the right fit.

AI-assisted chatbots can increase the chances of an ideal pairing by “fishing” in the right pool. By scanning target locations, chatbots can identify workers that fit the company’s requirements and vice-versa.

Enterprises worldwide are investing big money in chatbots and are adopting similar AI systems by the minute to beat the competition and cut costs. The future looks promising as the technology seems to be effective in fluidizing the on-boarding procedure, offer better ESS, and enhance the training process. Most encouraging is the potential to reduce human bias in the interview and selection phase.