What’s more intimidating, sitting across the table from an actual human being asking you questions or sitting down in front of a camera and recording your responses? The answer will change depending on who you ask, but with advancements in AI technologies, job seekers should be prepared for a slew of interview scenarios going forward—including ones that don’t involve another person.
For the last few years, companies worldwide have been investing significant amounts of money in ‘recruitment automation’, and according to research from Harvard Business Review, as many as “86% of employers use job interviews mediated by technology.”
Chances are, if you’ve been applying to jobs in recent years, you’ve already encountered one or more examples of AI recruitment technology, but don’t worry if you’re feeling a little lost. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the ways artificial intelligence is being used in the interview process and provide you tips regarding how to prepare for the future of hiring.
An Interview Based Off AI or An Interview Run by AI
As of right now, there are two AI tools that recruiters predominantly rely on when they need help conducting application interviews: chatbots and video analysis hiring platforms. You’ve likely heard of chatbots, which grew exponentially in
popularity after ChatGPT launched back in November of 2022. Hiring platforms with video analysis, however, are a little newer and less common. Let’s break down how recruiters are using both these technologies to streamline the hiring process.
AI Curated Questions:
Research shows that the average corporate job opening will receive around 250 resumes, and out of that group, only 4-6 applicants will be called in for an interview. That means that only around
two percent of applicants will get the chance to sell themselves in person (or via video chat). It’s safe to assume then, that everyone who is being brought in for an interview is qualified and impressive, meaning that the person conducting the interview needs to know what
is and
is not important to ask.
That’s where AI comes in.
In order to ensure that they are asking the right questions and coaxing the most illuminating responses from applicants, recruiters will take whatever help they can get. And when it comes to scouring the internet for helpful information and crafting perfectly worded questions based on said information—chatbots can’t be beat. As a job seeker in 2024, you should always assume that at least some of the interview questions you receive were curated by artificial intelligence.
Asynchronous Video Interviews (AVI):
Also referred to as on-demand interviews,
AVIs are pretty straightforward. Applicants who have made it to the interview stage will be given access to a hiring platform where they log-in and record a video response to the questions provided. Your responses to the interview questions will first be analyzed using AI algorithms. According to
Forbes Contributor Jane Hanson, the algorithms look for “things like the applicant’s facial expressions, use of key words, and tone of voice. A transcript of the responses along with a report summarizing the candidate's performance are then provided to the recruiter…”
The Good and the Bad
Regardless of how you feel about the involvement of artificial intelligence in the hiring process, it’s not going anywhere. It’s estimated that
67% of hiring decision-makers “appreciate its time saving capabilities” and the adoption of AI tools in recruitment is undeniably on the rise.
That said, nobody is arguing that this technology is perfect. Concerns remain amongst recruiters, 35% of which report having apprehension over AI potentially excluding candidates who offer more unique skills/experience. There have also been complaints lodged against some of the hiring platforms that use video analysis AI, claiming a lack of transparency and potential for bias.
Preparing for an AI Driven Interview
Now that you know how artificial intelligence might be used in an interview as well as the benefits and potential pitfalls of that technology, let’s get down to brass tacks—how do you perform well in an interview process that is at least somewhat driven by AI?
Well, you can start by following these tips!
Tips for Impressing the AI
- Remain cool, calm, and collected
This might be easier said than done, but in this situation, you should try your best to pretend as if you are sitting down for a regular, in-person interview. Do everything you would normally—including dress well, sit up straight, smile,
come prepared, etc. Don’t think too much about how you’re coming off to the AI specifically or let nerves get the best of you. At the end of the day, there is still a very good chance that a human being will be reviewing your interview footage, so while there are ways you can use the AI to your advantage (more on that later), you cannot forget that there is still a real person you need to impress.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
One of the major benefits of being offered an on-demand interview is just that—it’s on-demand. Oftentimes candidates will be allowed to log into the hiring system at any point before some pre-established deadline and upload the video on their time. This means you will not only be able to practice what you
say beforehand, but you can also ensure that the space where you are filming looks clean and professional. Even better—you may have access to the interview questions ahead of time, meaning you can record yourself responding to them, then watch the footage back and make improvements where needed.
- Use AI to your advantage
Recruiters aren’t the only ones who can use AI in the hiring process. You can too!
We know that the video analysis technology looks for keywords, so you should absolutely be conducting your own keyword searches on the company website, job post, ect. before the interview. This will not only help you get passed the AI screening, but it will also demonstrate that you have knowledge of the company and its goals—which research shows is a key determining factor in whether or not a candidate receives a job offer.
Similarly, if you’re not sure what to expect regarding the interview questions, you can use AI to help you prepare. Feed information about the position and the company into a chatbot and ask it to provide you with sample interview questions. They might not be identical to the ones you receive in the actual interview, but this is still a great way to prepare.
Final Thoughts
Did you know that
73% of job seekers feel that applying for new positions is one of the most stressful events of their
entire lives? The process is confusing, time consuming, and sometimes incredibly discouraging. Now, AI recruitment tools add another layer of complexity that could end up making the process even more taxing for applicants.
If it’s all starting to feel like too much, or you simply don’t have the time or energy to research all the changing facets of applying for jobs in the modern labor market, why not let us take on some of the responsibility?
The recruitment experts at CyberCoders are dedicated to helping you find your true match, receive the compensation and benefits you deserve, and land an interview in a fraction of the time. Check out our website to learn more about your services and start your job search today!
