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SkiStar, the leading holiday operator in Scandinavia, piloted Hubert’s structured AI interviews for its winter 2026/27 seasonal hiring in Sweden and Norway. Of the candidates invited, 97.2% completed the interview, over 4,400 people, and those who rated the experience gave an average of 9.1 out of 10.
About SkiStar and its seasonal hiring
SkiStar is the leading holiday operator in Scandinavia. It owns and operates five of the region’s largest alpine ski resorts and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
Seasonal hiring is central to how SkiStar runs each winter. It recruits about 2,500 seasonal staff for its destinations in Sweden and Norway. SkiStar is one of Scandinavia’s largest employers of young people, and for many applicants seasonal work is a first job, so the experience of applying matters to the company.
The challenge of high-volume seasonal hiring
Each winter SkiStar hires seasonal staff across about 36 roles in the Nordics. Candidates rank the roles they are most interested in, and SkiStar recruitment team matches them to roles using their answers and the criteria each role needs. Many applicants return each season, SkiStar says two thirds of its seasonal employees try to come back for the following season.
Before Hubert, applicants answered similar questions by completing a long form submission. SkiStar had already stopped using CVs at all for these roles, because a CV adds little value when so many applicants are young people applying for a first job. For Carolina Edlund, HR Specialist, the concern with a process this size was how it feels to the candidate.
“We have a lot of young candidates that maybe apply for their first job. They haven’t got a CV. They came straight out of school. I think it’s easier with Hubert for them to make a better application and to show themselves, so that we get a bit bigger picture.”
Carolina Edlund, HR Specialist, SkiStar
The solution, a structured AI interview after every application
SkiStar piloted Hubert on its full seasonal recruitment for winter 2026/27, the largest process of the year. The application became shorter and more accessible for candidates, every candidate was invited to a structured Hubert AI interview straight after applying in Jobylon, SkiStar’s ATS. The interview replaced the written questions in the form, and SkiStar found it easier for candidates to answer and received more detailed, valuable insights in their answers.
Interviews in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and English
Candidates answer in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, or English. A Scandinavian language is required for most roles, but SkiStar receives many applications in English, and applicants find it easier to answer in their own language and the language they’ll need for the role on offer. Earlier forms, prior to using Hubert offered only Swedish and English.
Scores that help recruiters prioritise and match candidates
Each candidate receives a score. Recruiters prioritise the highest scores, where before they had to go through every application before taking the next step and reaching out to candidates. The answers also show whether a candidate’s preferences; to work outdoors or indoors, or whether they want to meet guests, which helps with matching candidates to roles. Shortlisted candidates then join group interviews built around cases, discussions, and values questions.
“It’s always a little bit scary, mostly from the candidate perspective, that we are using AI and no human touch on the other side. But the result was quite the difference. Candidates liked it.”
Carolina Edlund, HR Specialist, SkiStar
Results from the winter 2026/27 pilot
97.2% of invited candidates completed the AI interview
Participation was close to complete. 97.7% of candidates started the interview, and 99.5% of those who started finished it. In total, over 4,400 candidates 97.2% completed the interview.
Candidates rate the experience 9.1 out of 10
Of the candidates who left a rating, 94% gave 8 to 10. The average was 9.1 and the median was 10. Candidates describe the interview in terms that answer SkiStar’s original concern.
“You get clear questions, unlimited time and a human touch...which makes it easier to give a well-thought-out answer.”
Candidate, SkiStar
“I understand Hubert is AI, however it felt like it actually read my responses and followed good question order based on the responses I provided. Thanks!”
Candidate, SkiStar
Candidates interview on their phone and outside office hours
Candidates took the interview when it suited them. 71% used a phone, 55% completed it outside standard office hours, and 16% did so at the weekend.
“The candidate experience is excellent with Hubert, and that is really nice to see. I didn’t want candidates to see us as a machine with no human on the other side.”
Carolina Edlund, HR Specialist, SkiStar
What comes next for SkiStar
SkiStar and Hubert are considering what improvements they can make to make it ever more efficient for recruiters ahead of the next peak seasonal hiring for winter 2027/28, including tailoring interviews for specific roles.
Advice for recruiting leaders considering AI in hiring
“Dare to try. It might be a little bit frightening to add AI, but it’s not that hard, and the candidates obviously liked it. It was easier for them to answer the questions. And we got more from their answers as well.”
