Have you applied for a new job? If you've been shortlisted, get ready to be interviewed by artificial intelligence.
Recruiters have been using AI-powered hiring tools for years to assess job applicants, and their use has been expanding in step with technology advances.
Many people find AI job interviews unsettling, though the trend seems here to stay. According to recent research by a major hiring platform, more jobseekers are reporting they've faced AI job interviews. But many applicants have walked away from the hiring process because of it, which could be a sign that they're either creeped out, or they could be fraudulent or were not serious candidates, depending on who you ask.
Here's what to expect from an AI job interview and how to do your best:
The foundational rules still apply
Whatever the interview format, the fundamentals still apply, said a career coach at a firm that helps companies support laid-off workers with resume writing and job search services.
Ahead of the interview, review the job description, research the organization, and understand what it's looking for.
“The more prepared you are, the easier it will be to tailor your responses, even when you're interacting with AI instead of a person,” she advised.
Adjusting to the automated setup
If you've never done an AI job interview before, the first time could be unnerving or unsettling.
In a demo AI interview on one of numerous platforms providing recruitment tools for companies, the process began with two sets of questions, one testing problem-solving skills and another gauging work experience. Then came an AI-generated face on screen.
“My goal is to learn more about you and the experiences, skills and competencies that you might bring to this role,” it said, adding that each of three questions should take about two minutes to answer.
Unlike a human interview, there was no warm-up chit-chat, no chance to build a rapport. There was no point in smiling or trying to break the ice.
Experts say the best way to get over that is preparation.
“You need to practice out loud,” said a workplace trends editor at a major online job board. “And when I say practice out loud, I mean, say the actual answers out loud,” because the chatbot needs to record what you're saying.
Also keep in mind you're providing information about yourself to a machine, not having a conversation.
“You have to be particularly descriptive and a very clear communicator in your language so that they can pick up on things that a regular interviewer might pick up through your facial expressions and tone,” she said.
Use an online interview simulator to prep, as there are many available. They can record your answers and provide instant feedback on your content, delivery or pacing. They'll also help you get used to speaking into a camera, manage time limits and give your answers in a structured way without the natural back-and-forth of a live conversation.
Anticipate the focus on behavioral questions
AI interviewers ask “behavioral questions” because they want candidates to provide examples of how they handled specific work situations, complete with numbers and metrics.
“Those are the kinds of questions that AI relies heavily on. And the trap that we see a lot of people falling into is giving really vague answers,” one expert said.
Candidates should still rely on tried and tested tactics like the STAR method, short for situation, task, action, result. Be prepared to talk about a specific work situation, the task assigned to you, the action you took, and the result.
“You want to use numbers as much as possible. Even if you're not in a revenue-driving role, there are ways in which you can say how you influenced or impacted something within a group.”
Technical presentation still counts
Don't neglect the physical setup of your desk and computer; it's still important even if the video-based interview is with AI, and not a person.
Test your audio and video in advance. Make sure the lighting is bright enough and is on your face. Raise your laptop to eye level so that you're not looking down at the camera.
“Small adjustments, such as using a stack of books or a ring light, can make a noticeable difference in how polished and professional you present,” one career expert said.
Resist the temptation of AI shortcuts
Jobseekers might be tempted to use AI to help come up with answers. After all, they're so easy to use and if you're not talking to a human, no one will be able to tell, right?
“That's a big no-no because it's pretty obvious” to both the AI interviewing tool and anyone who might review the recording. Using AI for your answers “can sometimes immediately disqualify you.”
If you're having difficulty answering, you can always ask it to clarify or repeat the question.
Some questions are even designed to figure out if you're using AI to cheat, worded in a deliberately convoluted way to see if a candidate is running AI assistance alongside the interview.
“We strongly recommend candidates put the AI devices aside. This is a test of your capability.”
