How AI is Changing Job Interviews
If you thought that hiring managers were only using AI to screen your resume, think again! In a recent Capterra survey of 300 Human Resources professionals, 93% said that they were planning to use software to help them reduce labor costs – whether through screening resumes, interviewing or even firing staff.
As virtual interviews have become more prevalent since the pandemic, recruiters are also using artificial intelligence to help them screen candidates, shorten hiring processes and lower expenses.
We’ve heard a lot about how to impress humans during job interviews, but how are things different when it comes to interviewing with an algorithm?
While this is a developing area of expertise, below are important things to know about AI interviews and what you can do to prepare.
So, What Role Does AI Play in Job Interviews Anyway?
In Harvard Business Review, Zahira Jaser and Dimitra Petrakaki share that before you jump into a video interview you should first try to understand how AI is being used, if at all. Here are three types of video interviews to look out for. Each include varying levels of AI involvement:
Automated video interviews (AVI): These are mediated through screens and are your typical Zoom video interview with a recruiter on the other end.
AI assisted interviews: These types of interviews utilize AI to help humans make decisions while not replacing the human element all together.
AI led interviews: In these interviews, the human element is removed all together and AI makes hiring decisions.
How Do You Know If You're Being Screened By AI?
Job seekers should look for these specific terms in any correspondence leading up to interviews, including fine print: machine learning, predictive analytics, decision algorithms, recommendation engines, or data driven-decision.
If any of these terms are mentioned, you are likely to be interfacing with AI on some level. While the AI will likely be screening your face expressions, vocabulary and vocal tone, be sure to ask employers what the AI is screening for.
Know Your Rights! States with Laws About Use of AI in Job Interviews
Illinois, Maryland and NYC are the only three areas that have enacted laws to regulate AIs impact in hiring processes. In these three states, employers must disclose when they are using AI in job interviews.
Illinois is the only state where candidates are allowed to decline the use of AI in a job interview.
Be sure to continue researching AI rights in your state and take advantage of them where applicable.
What Does the AI Do?
AI assisted or AI led interviews will use data models to predict whether you will be a good candidate.
Pre-recorded questions will likely be shared on the applicants' screen, and the applicant will need to respond, likely within an allotted amount of time.
The AI tool will analyze the responses and may look at the applicant's enthusiasm level via facial expression and tone of voice as well as the applicant's use of relevant keywords to create a report.
How to Prepare for an AI Video Interviews
Harvard Business Review shares that the best way to prepare for an AI led interview is to practice as you normally would, and remember to act natural. As in any job interview, be sure to bring your best self and practice telling your best stories.
Just as you have done for your resume, find the most relevant keywords (through the job description or research on the company) for the position and integrate them into your video responses.
If you need to brush up on your interview skills, check out our video course, Interview Like a P.R.O.
A major challenge of AI interviews is that many job seekers tend freeze up or act differently in the absence of speaking with a human being. Unfortunately, this will work against you.
To help ease your nerves, and prepare yourself for “talking to no one”, consider practicing your interviews using a free video chat AI tool like ReadAI. Though designed for meetings, Read AI can be used for practicing the AVI process if you bring potential interview questions to the table.
ReadAI can provide you with AI powered recaps that include a summary, highlights, meeting notes and a speaker coach. ReadAI's coaching metrics provide you with coaching and data for:
Clarity: talking pace and use of filler words.
Inclusion: non-inclusive terms and interruptions
Impact: bias, charisma and questions asked
You can then playback those moments to contextualize the feedback. Highlights also reveal your engagement and sentiment.
For more insight on the range of tools that employers are using to screen applicants check out this list of the latest AI tools revolutionizing interview preparation by Senior HR manager, Saurabh Joshi.