German HR sector shifts toward digital recruiting and AI tools

A recent survey of German HR departments shows a mixed picture. The perceived shortage of skilled workers has eased, with the share of companies reporting a need for specialists falling from 91 % in 2025 to 83 % now, while demand for apprentices and managers remains stable. Companies say the improvement reflects the current economic situation.

Recruiting channels are changing: job boards still generate many applications but both volume and quality are declining. Social media, corporate career sites, employee‑referral programmes and active sourcing are gaining importance, while reliance on external recruiters drops sharply. Many firms plan to increase investment in these digital channels.

Digitalisation and AI adoption lag behind expectations. Although 59 % of firms use employee‑referral programmes, 48 % still rely on manual tools such as Excel and only 11 % have implemented digital recruiting systems. About 82 % use a Bewerbermanagementsystem (BMS), yet 18 % continue with manual processes. The survey highlights that 69 % of companies without a BMS have no plans to adopt one, despite documented efficiency and data‑privacy benefits. AI tools are used cautiously, primarily for tasks like resume screening and chatbot support, rather than for full decision‑making.