[vkaku]

These days, the effort required for company-specific long essay applications hardly seems justified. With Generative AI readily available, it’s easy to tailor essays to appeal to particular—even narcissistic—preferences, unless someone genuinely enjoys the writing process.

As a result, the whole system has devolved into a “garbage in, garbage out” exercise. What began as a meaningful way to assess candidates has largely been undermined, and the original intent behind these evaluations—whether skills-based or culture fit—has been lost.

[financypants]

I'd love to know at what rate the long essay questions are read. Maybe we get to a point where applicants have AI write them and then no one reads them!

[duskwuff]

I agree, but for a different reason (and one which isn't recent, either). Essay questions on job applications are most effective at selecting for candidates who are adept at telling stories about themselves. It doesn't necessarily give you candidates who are more knowledgeable or better at their jobs.