Return-on-investment claims for recruitment software are usually vague. Here is a transparent ROI calculator for AI interviews you can check line by line, with every assumption visible and every number yours to change.
The formula
Hours saved = interviews x (minutes per manual screen - minutes to review a report) / 60 Time value = hours saved x hourly cost Return = time value / plan cost
Worked example (illustrative)
Assumptions, which you should replace with your own:
- 100 completed interviews a month
- 30 minutes for a manual screen (phone call plus write-up)
- 6 minutes to read a report and decide
- A$70 an hour fully loaded recruiter cost
Calculation: 100 x (30 - 6) / 60 = 40 hours. At A$70 that is A$2,800 a month. Against a plan of A$499 the return is about 5.6 times.
Another illustration: 50 interviews a month on the same assumptions gives 20 hours and A$1,400, or about 2.8 times a A$499 plan. At 300 interviews a month the numbers scale to 120 hours and A$8,400.
What the calculator ignores
Be honest about what is not in the number:
- Candidate time and experience
- Recruiter placement fees or revenue
- Any change in the quality of hires
- Setup time and change management
- Interviews candidates start but do not finish (count completed ones only)
If you value reduced time to fill, add that separately and label it as an estimate.
How to get your real numbers
- Time five manual first-round screens end to end, including notes.
- Time how long a hiring manager takes to review a one-page report.
- Use your real fully loaded hourly cost, not the salary.
- Use completed interviews from your pilot, not invited ones.
In Critical Hive the Impact dashboard does this for you from your own completed interviews with assumptions you edit, and labels the result as an estimate.
Why a free pilot is the best ROI test
A free pilot of 8 completed interviews on one live role lets you measure your actual minutes saved before you commit. If it does not beat your current first round, walk away.
Agencies: where the return really shows
For a recruitment agency, the return also comes from presenting evidence to clients: white-label reports, client share links and ranked shortlists. See AI interviews for agencies.
FAQ
How much do AI interviews cost?
Public pricing for Critical Hive is a free pilot (8 completed interviews), then monthly plans in AUD excluding GST with a stated price per extra interview. See pricing.
Is saving recruiter time the only benefit?
No, but it is the easiest to measure. Quality, fairness evidence and candidate experience matter too; measure them separately.
Will the ROI be the same for me?
No. These are illustrations, not guarantees. Your volume, process and costs decide the result.
Next step
Open the live demo to see the Impact dashboard, or download the presentation for the full ROI slide.