How EasterSeals uses AI to combat bias against candidates with nontraditional résumés
The challenge: balancing speed, scale, and exceptional candidate care
Easterseals, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities, sought to extend its mission of inclusion and care to every aspect of its hiring process. For Marquis and Cory, key leaders of the recruitment team, delivering an exceptional candidate experience wasn’t just a priority—it was a direct reflection of the organization’s values.
This commitment drove recruiters like Kayla and Alberto to extraordinary lengths, including manually reaching out to candidates whose résumés didn’t meet standard qualifications. They used personalized Google forms to give every applicant a chance to showcase their potential. They took as many screening calls as they could physically manage in a day. However, even these thoughtful efforts had limits.
Alberto shared his reality: "It was exhausting, and often we weren’t reaching as many candidates as we wanted. I even had to make a conscious effort to schedule breaks because it was just too much."
With Behavior Interventionist roles spanning 21 locations and a high volume of applicants, the team faced three critical challenges:
- Shorten time-to-interview: quickly connect with qualified candidates to reduce delays.
- Scale candidate engagement: effectively reach and nurture more candidates, even with high volumes.
- Maintain exceptional candidate care: ensure every applicant felt valued and welcomed, embodying the organization’s mission of inclusion.
They needed a solution that could meet the demands of their growing hiring process while preserving the personal touch that defined Easterseals’ commitment to care.
The solution: AI Interviewer to revolutionize recruitment
In partnership with Upwage, Easterseals implemented custom AI Interviewing Agent workflows to automate and optimize their recruitment process. The AI system provided dynamic, personalized conversations to uncover candidates’ potential while accelerating the hiring process.
Kayla reflected on the transformation: "One of my biggest concerns before starting with Upwage was, ‘What am I going to do with fewer calls?’ Calls were all I’d done for three years. But now, instead of wasting time on endless phone screens, we’re reaching hundreds more candidates, scheduling them faster, and engaging in meaningful ways."
Key features of the solution included:
- Accessible text-based screening: the AI Interviewing Agent offered a text-based approach, increasing accessibility for candidates with limited internet bandwidth or other constraints. Completion rates improved to 66.79%.
- Universal link automation: Cory suggested automating screener invitations through a universal link system, which streamlined workflows and eliminated manual email outreach.
- 24/7 availability: the AI allowed candidates to complete interviews on their own schedules, whether late at night, early in the morning, or over the weekend, reducing drop-off rates and ensuring a positive candidate experience.
Alberto highlighted the impact: "It’s not just about saving time; it’s about reaching so many more candidates than we could before—times six compared to last year. That’s huge for us. And the process is easier for candidates, which makes them more engaged."
The team’s enthusiasm for the tool was so high they proactively created a PowerPoint to showcase their results to leadership.
The results: delivering faster, smarter, and more inclusive hiring
- 24-hour turnaround: From application to interview, significantly reducing delays and improving the candidate experience.
- 66.79% AI interview completion rate: The streamlined process ensured high engagement with minimal recruiter intervention.
- Behavior interventionists across 21 locations: The AI Interviewing Agent seamlessly handled applications across multiple regions, scaling recruitment without additional overhead.
- Universal link innovation: Cory’s collaboration with Upwage simplified candidate access and reduced recruiter workloads.
- 18% of candidates screened during off-hours: Providing greater inclusivity for candidates with limited daytime availability.
Kayla shared real data from her experience: "Compared to last year, I reached six times more candidates across Riverside, Corona, and San Diego. Having Upwage has completely transformed my calendar—I’m no longer overwhelmed with calls that lead nowhere. Instead, we’re focused on meaningful follow-ups with real potential."
Alberto agreed: "Upwage keeps us busy in the best way. Reviewing screeners, scheduling candidates, and focusing on meaningful follow-ups—it’s all so much more promising than endless phone calls that lead nowhere."
Annual ROI
With 15,000 Behavior Interventionist applicants annually, Easterseals is scaling the AI Interviewing Agent to capture significant ROI:
- 4,275 hours saved annually: equivalent to adding the capacity of two full-time recruiters.
- $322,848 in yearly cost savings: a measurable impact on the bottom line.
- Increased screening rates: ensuring the highest quality candidates reach hiring managers faster.
Key takeaway
Through its partnership with Upwage, Easterseals has redefined recruitment, achieving faster, smarter, and more inclusive hiring practices. By combining AI innovation with a dedicated team, Easterseals has not only improved hiring efficiency but also strengthened its mission of empowering individuals and communities.
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