UK-based recruitment agency HRGO has unveiled a new artificial intelligence tool designed to tackle one of the most frustrating aspects of the job-seeking process: being ignored after applying. The tool, named “Betty” after HRGO’s founder, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Parkinson, aims to bring more transparency and consistency to candidate communication by providing personalised feedback to every applicant.
Launched in late 2024, Betty has already delivered tailored responses to over 40,000 job seekers. The tool uses AI to analyse job applications, match performance to role criteria, and offer constructive suggestions on how candidates can improve future applications. In a survey of recent users, 90% said they found the feedback helpful and relevant — a striking contrast to the usual silence many face after submitting CVs or attending interviews.
The move is part of HRGO’s broader strategy to modernise recruitment and improve the overall candidate experience. With increasing numbers of applications per vacancy and many employers lacking the capacity to respond individually, recruitment ghosting has become a widespread problem. HRGO’s leadership says Betty was designed to address this challenge head-on and ensure no candidate is left in the dark.
In a statement, HRGO said: “We know how disheartening it can be to send in an application and never hear back. Betty allows us to respond to every candidate, even when it’s not good news — and to do so in a way that is constructive, respectful, and useful for their job search.”
Recruitment ghosting has become more common in recent years, fuelled by high applicant volumes and increased automation in hiring systems. A 2023 survey from the CIPD found that nearly 60% of candidates had experienced ghosting after applying for a job or attending an interview. The lack of feedback not only frustrates applicants but can damage employer reputation, especially among younger or digitally engaged job seekers.
By deploying Betty, HRGO hopes to set a new standard for candidate care in recruitment. The company says that providing honest, AI-generated feedback not only improves transparency but helps job seekers develop and succeed in future applications. The system has been built to protect privacy and avoid bias, with continual learning from anonymised data sets and recruiter oversight to ensure feedback remains appropriate and relevant.
The launch of Betty also speaks to a wider trend within recruitment — the integration of AI and automation to improve the experience for all parties. While some have raised concerns about algorithmic bias in hiring, HRGO maintains that when used correctly, AI can enhance fairness and reduce the manual workload that often leads to inconsistent applicant engagement.
Early user feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. One candidate, who had applied for a series of administrative roles, said the AI feedback helped her understand why she wasn’t progressing and what specific changes she could make. “It felt like someone had actually looked at my application and cared enough to give advice,” she said. “It was encouraging, even though I didn’t get the job.”
In-house recruiters have also welcomed the tool. Betty enables them to manage large volumes of applicants while still maintaining meaningful contact with candidates, freeing up time to focus on more complex or senior placements. HRGO says this is especially useful for sectors with high turnover or bulk hiring, such as logistics, retail, and customer service.
The company is already planning to expand the capabilities of the system. Future developments include tailoring feedback by sector, providing interview preparation guidance, and integrating video feedback for added engagement. HRGO also hopes to licence the tool to other recruitment firms and in-house HR teams to support industry-wide improvements in candidate communication.
As the competition for talent continues to rise, employer branding has become a key concern for organisations. Tools like Betty offer a way to reinforce a company’s values, even when a candidate isn’t selected. Providing a clear and respectful explanation leaves a better impression and can improve the likelihood that rejected candidates will reapply in future or recommend the company to others.
While technology will never fully replace the human elements of recruitment, HRGO’s AI agent demonstrates how automation can be used to build empathy, not eliminate it. As hiring processes become increasingly data-driven, candidates still want to feel seen — even when the answer is no.
With Betty now live across HRGO’s client network and further developments in progress, the company believes it’s setting a new standard. “Everyone deserves an answer,” said HRGO’s Managing Director. “Betty makes that possible — and she does it with respect, clarity, and purpose.”
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