Many employers across Sweden have stopped requiring personal letters in job applications, according to a report from SVT Sörmland. Instead, job seekers are now encountering selection questions and sometimes IQ tests during the application process. The Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården) is among the organizations that have eliminated personal letters since the turn of the year.
At Hällbyanstalten prison outside Eskilstuna, where competition for jobs is reportedly intense, the institution has opted for selection questions when advertising vacancies. "With selection questions, it becomes easier and faster to find the right person," said Peter Fyrby, prison director at Hällbyanstalten. Employers cited difficulties in determining who actually wrote personal letters due to the increasing use of AI in job applications.
With selection questions, it becomes easier and faster to find the right person
Job coach Niclas Åberg from Eskilstuna noted the trend is very common and acknowledged that job seekers who don't use AI risk falling behind. However, he expressed criticism about employers requiring advanced personality and IQ tests for positions that may not warrant such assessments.
Job coach Niclas Åberg in Eskilstuna notes this is very common and says those not using AI risk falling behind