Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT) has reported a significant increase in the volume of applicants for its early-career programs, driven by the use of artificial intelligence tools by job seekers. According to the company’s chief human resources officer, Laura Fuentes, the hotel giant received nearly 15,000 applications for its 2027 early-career cohort.
Fuentes noted that while AI has removed friction from the application process, it has also created a much larger recruiting pipeline. She described the situation as a "double-edged sword," explaining that while candidates can now apply more easily, the sheer volume of submissions makes it nearly impossible for recruiters to respond to every applicant.
The company provided specific statistics regarding the competitiveness of its programs. For the 2027 cohort, approximately 12,000 candidates applied for 72 open slots, resulting in an acceptance rate of 0.6%. In comparison, for the 2026 Launch program, 5,000 applications were submitted for 20 positions.
Fuentes advised applicants to be selective and demonstrate genuine interest during the interview process. "Because at some point, if you make it through—which is your hope in the interview process—we’re gonna want to see authentic interest," she stated.
