Three in ten employers now believe that 70% of applications are partially generated by artificial intelligence.
But, employee self-reporting paints a different picture. Only 15.8% admit to using AI to draft a resume, and 18.1% for a cover letter.
Younger workers are significantly more likely to utilize these tools
Online tests see similarly low adoption rates, with just 9% acknowledging reliance on automated assistance. “AI receives extensive media coverage, creating the impression that all candidates are using it. In reality, it remains a minority practice at this stage,” notes Dieter De Waegeneer, Chief Growth Officer at Partena Professional.
Unsurprisingly, those under 35 are far more inclined to leverage these tools: nearly three in ten young professionals have already used AI to create a resume or cover letter. This figure drops by half among those over 35. Notably, there’s little difference in AI usage between the 35-54 age group and those 55 and older; the generational divide is sharpest before age 35.
Stijn Baert, who previously studied AI in the workplace in a large 2025 survey, cautions against overstating the enthusiasm of younger generations. Even among those under 45, self-reported AI proficiency tops out at 5.13 out of 10. “The tool is being adopted, but only partially mastered.” Perhaps most significantly, nine out of ten employees of all ages prefer to take recruitment tests without any algorithmic assistance. This finding offers a reassuring counterpoint as AI becomes increasingly prevalent.
