Finding that one in a hundred – How recruiters are using Agentic AI to identify top talent in a crowded market

We’ve all heard the complaints. Applicants are finding it almost impossible to get their resumes seen, no matter how qualified they are for the position.

What’s not as obvious is the other side of the problem. Companies are dealing with a barrage of applications, making it difficult to find that qualified applicant in a sea of resumes. 

The answer for most has been AI – a broad term that, if used incorrectly, can create painful candidate experiences and make it harder for recruiters to find a good fit.

We look at how Direct Sourcing leverages agentic AI to help recruiters find top talent faster without sacrificing the human connection. 

What’s going on in the hiring market?

Recruiters are working in an employer driven market, where there are more candidates than available jobs. On the surface, it sounds optimistic. With so many applications, surely companies can find a good fit quickly?

The reality is complicated.

LinkedIn data suggests over 12 million job applications were submitted per day in 2025.

That’s 9000 every minute.

According to OneHour, a digital portfolio website that released a report compiling market research on application volumes, recruiters are struggling to keep up.

Applications per job increased by up to 3 times in 2024, with employers seeing an average of 180 applicants per hire made. One study found that each corporate posting on Glassdoor attracted around 250 resumes. 

What’s worse, another report found that around 70 to 80% of applications from job boards came from unqualified applicants, meaning recruiters are often sifting through hundreds of resumes before they find a good fit. 

Understanding Agentic AI – What is it and how can it help?

Agentic AI goes further than typical AI systems. Instead of simply responding to a prompt, it works towards a goal by taking actions and adjusting its approach over time.

In Direct Sourcing, this looks like Talent Agents, tools that work with recruiters to create smoother, more efficient hiring processes. 

How can recruiters use Agentic AI in the Direct Sourcing process?

Agentic AI is often used in Direct Sourcing to help recruiters cut through high volumes of resumes and find quality candidates from a large pool of applicants. 

That includes:

Building customized talent pools filled with qualified, pre-vetted talent

Direct Sourcing is unique because it takes a proactive approach to hiring. Instead of searching for candidates when a role opens, Direct Sourcing recruiters, known as curators, build Talent Communities and pools of pre-qualified candidates they can tap into when needed.

Talent agents help curators decide which applicants should go into which pool while automating talent pool growth and management. 

How TalentNet’s platform can help:

Through TalentBench, recruiters can create and manage thriving Talent Communities and customized talent pools based on qualifications, experience, location, and salary expectations. 

Our Talent Community registration includes an algorithmic matching function that matches registrants with open positions based on their resumes. It takes 60 seconds to register and includes a one-click application process, creating a smooth candidate experience.

TalentNavigator, one of our talent agents, also helps with talent pool management by automating manual tasks like adding candidates to certain pools or sending application invites to qualified community members.   

Creating shortlists based on relevant applicant data

Instead of manually reviewing each applicant, curators work with talent agents to find top candidates based on customizable expectations. 

For example, let’s say your company is hiring for a front-end software engineer located in Boston with proficiency in CSS and over 5 years of experience. 

You have a thriving Talent Community, and receive 150 applications for the position. Your talent agent can review each candidate’s resume, experience and proficiencies and create a shortlist based on your specifications, allowing for easier decision making.

How TalentNet’s platform can help:

TalentNavigator works with curators to review candidate data and find top applicants according to each role’s specifications.

Our platform also includes AI Profile Summaries, a talent agent that summarizes candidate profiles, making it easier and quicker to review all applicants and choose the best fit. 

Writing better, SEO-optimized job descriptions

While the job market plays an important role in the flood of resumes companies receive for each role, so do vague job descriptions without clear expectations. Agentic AI can help recruiters create concise, targeted descriptions that attract better-fit candidates. 

How TalentNet’s platform can help:

Our Job Description Optimization tool creates clear descriptions that are more likely to attract the right fit. These descriptions are also SEO-optimized and reduce sub-conscious bias through the use of neutral, skills-based language.

Finding the right fit with a little help

Recruiters are working in a difficult hiring market, where each role is met with hundreds of resumes. That means days, sometimes weeks spent going through applications that aren’t right for the role.

Direct Sourcing uses agentic AI to help recruiters find qualified candidates quicker, reducing time to fill and improving quality of hire.

TalentNet’s platform allows recruiters to build talent pools, create short lists and quickly review applications to find the best fit faster.

To learn more and book a demo, reach out here.