A leading Scottish construction recruiter says the rise of the ‘no-phone generation’ is forcing employers to rethink how they hire, with many young candidates refusing to answer calls, relying on AI-written CVs and, in some cases, bringing a parent to interview.
Donald Wynn, Managing Director of C&P Recruitment, says the recruitment process is becoming increasingly challenging as employers struggle to get to know candidates before they even reach an interview.
His comments follow Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for employers to rethink their reliance on video interviews, arguing they make it harder for young people to show their personality. He also criticised the growing use of AI to filter CVs. Wynn says the challenge starts even earlier, with many candidates reluctant to speak on the phone at all.
Across Scotland, C&P Recruitment consultants are increasingly seeing candidates who communicate only by text, ignore voicemail messages and, in some cases, arrive at interviews accompanied by a parent. Wynn describes it as the rise of the ‘no-phone generation’.
The trend is backed up by recent research. A study published in May by iD Mobile and Mental Health UK found that 51% of Brits admit to feeling some level of anxiety when making or receiving calls.
Artificial intelligence is adding another challenge. Wynn, who has worked in construction recruitment for more than 22 years, says AI-generated CVs often read well but reveal little about a candidate’s personality, motivation or communication skills. Combined with a reluctance to speak on the phone, it leaves employers with very little insight before an interview.
C&P Recruitment says its consultants are increasingly seeing:
- Candidates who communicate exclusively by text and will not take or return calls
- Parents contacting recruiters about vacancies on behalf of adult children, and occasionally attending interviews with them
- AI-written CVs that read well but reveal little about a candidate’s personality, motivation or confidence
- Employers struggling to assess reliability and suitability when candidates will not engage directly
Donald Wynn, Managing Director of C&P Recruitment, said: “We’ve reached a point where some young candidates simply won’t answer the phone. Andy Burnham is right that a young person can’t show you much through a screen, and he’s right about AI-written CVs. But from our perspective, the challenge starts even earlier.
When a CV has been written by AI and the candidate won’t take a call, you’re left with very little to go on. You can’t hear how someone talks about their work or what they’re interested in.
I want to be clear that this isn’t a criticism of younger people. They’ve grown up messaging, sending voice notes and posting online, so a cold call from a stranger is naturally going to feel daunting.
The responsibility is on employers too. If we want the next generation in this industry, we need to prepare and support them rather than write them off at the first missed call. That means being clearer about what the job actually involves day to day and giving people the chance to build that confidence.”
C&P Recruitment works with employers across construction, engineering and property throughout Scotland. Earlier this year the business reported 21% growth and expanded through the acquisition of Clarke Bridges Resourcing.
