About
Applied is a leading recruitment software platform built around the principle of skills-based hiring. It provides HR teams and hiring managers with a comprehensive suite of tools that leverage AI to surface the best candidates while actively combating unconscious bias at every stage of the hiring funnel. The platform's core offering, Applied SIFT, uses proven predictors of candidate performance to go beyond CVs and focus on transferable skills. The AI Screener delivers speed and accuracy in candidate shortlisting without introducing bias, while Mapped/NST assessments evaluate numerical, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities with preset, standardized tests. Applied's Job Description Analysis Tool (JDAT) decodes and rewrites job descriptions to be inclusive and future-proof, expanding the talent pipeline from the very first touchpoint. CV Redaction ensures that if CVs are used, they are screened fairly and anonymously. Recruitment Analytics and Reporting replace manual spreadsheets with real-time dashboards that reveal pipeline health and decision quality. Applied is fully GDPR-compliant, EU AI Act-aligned, and Cyber Essentials Plus certified, making it a trusted choice for enterprise and public sector organizations. It integrates with a wide range of HR and productivity tools. Having been acquired by Phenom, Applied is now scaling its skills-based hiring approach globally, serving the world's fastest-growing teams.
Key Features
- AI Screener: Automatically screens and shortlists candidates with high accuracy while actively removing unconscious bias from the process.
- Applied SIFT – Skills-Based Assessments: Uses proven predictors of job performance to evaluate candidates on transferable skills rather than CV credentials alone.
- Job Description Analysis Tool (JDAT): Analyzes and rewrites job descriptions in seconds to ensure they are inclusive, unbiased, and optimized to attract diverse talent.
- CV Redaction: Anonymizes CVs during the shortlisting process to reduce the impact of personal information and unconscious bias in hiring decisions.
- Recruitment Analytics & Reporting: Provides real-time dashboards and reports on pipeline health, candidate quality, and hiring outcomes, replacing manual spreadsheets.
Use Cases
- An HR team at a fast-scaling startup uses Applied's AI Screener to process hundreds of applications quickly while ensuring no qualified candidates are overlooked due to CV bias.
- A public sector organization uses JDAT to rewrite job descriptions so they attract a more diverse pool of candidates and comply with inclusive hiring standards.
- A talent acquisition manager uses Applied SIFT assessments to evaluate problem-solving and analytical skills objectively, replacing subjective CV sifts.
- A recruitment team enables CV Redaction to anonymize applications during shortlisting, reducing the influence of personal details on hiring decisions.
- An HR director uses Applied's Recruitment Analytics dashboard to report on pipeline diversity, time-to-hire, and candidate quality to executive stakeholders in real time.
Pros
- Proven Bias Reduction: Multiple bias-mitigation tools—AI screening, CV redaction, and inclusive JD analysis—work together to support fairer hiring at every stage.
- End-to-End Platform: Covers the entire recruitment lifecycle from job description creation to candidate assessment and reporting, reducing the need for multiple tools.
- Strong Compliance & Security: Fully GDPR-compliant and EU AI Act-aligned with Cyber Essentials Plus certification, making it suitable for regulated and public sector organizations.
- Surfaces Hidden Talent: Skills-based approach identifies high-quality candidates who would be overlooked in a traditional CV sift, improving diversity and quality of hire.
Cons
- Demo-First Onboarding: Most advanced features require a sales demo rather than instant self-service sign-up, which may slow down evaluation for smaller teams.
- Primarily Enterprise-Focused: Pricing and feature depth are geared toward mid-size to enterprise organizations, potentially making it less accessible for very small businesses.
- Integration Scope Not Fully Disclosed: The platform integrates with third-party tools, but specific integration partners are not listed publicly, requiring direct inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is skills-based hiring and how does Applied support it?
Skills-based hiring evaluates candidates on their actual abilities and transferable skills rather than educational background or job titles. Applied supports this through structured assessments, AI screening, and tools that deprioritize CV credentials in shortlisting.
Is there a free trial available?
Some Applied features offer self-service free trials, while others are best explored through an interactive demo with the Applied team. You can book a demo or contact their team to get access.
Is Applied compliant with GDPR and AI regulations?
Yes. Applied is fully compliant with UK and EU GDPR requirements, the EU AI Act, and holds a Cyber Essentials Plus certification for data security.
Who is Applied best suited for?
Applied is designed for HR teams, talent acquisition leaders, and hiring managers at mid-size to enterprise organizations that want to improve hiring quality, reduce bias, and move away from CV-only screening.
Has Applied been acquired?
Yes. Be Applied has been acquired by Phenom, an applied AI company focused on helping organizations hire faster, develop better, and retain longer. The two companies are now working together to scale skills-based hiring globally.
