One Tech Tip: Your next job interview could be with an AI bot

Companies are adopting AI chatbots to screen job candidates, replacing early-stage interviews with automated phone calls, text messaging, or video chats featuring on-screen avatars. The trend has grown as recruiters face overwhelming numbers of AI-generated applications from easy-apply job boards. According to hiring platform Glasshouse, more jobseekers are encountering AI interviews, though some drop out due to unease or suspicions of fraud. AI interviews typically assess problem-solving skills, work experience, and behavioral traits through structured questions, often without warm-up conversation or rapport-building. Unlike human interviews, candidates must focus on clear, descriptive answers, as AI relies on verbal content rather than tone or facial expressions. Experts recommend practicing responses aloud and using online interview simulators to refine delivery, pacing, and structure. For example, a demo interview with TestGorilla, a Netherlands-based recruitment tool, included questions testing problem-solving and experience, followed by a video chat with an AI-generated female avatar. The bot instructed candidates to spend about two minutes per question, emphasizing direct, structured responses. Experts warn that AI interviews lack natural back-and-forth, requiring candidates to anticipate questions and communicate precisely. Careerminds career coach Amanda Augustine advises reviewing job descriptions and researching companies to tailor responses effectively, even for AI interviews. Indeed’s workplace trends editor Priya Rathod suggests practicing answers aloud to ensure clarity, as AI prioritizes content over tone or body language. Candidates should also prepare for behavioral questions, where AI evaluates responses for relevant skills and experiences. While AI interviews may feel impersonal, experts stress that preparation—such as using simulators to mimic time limits and structured answers—can improve outcomes. The trend is likely to persist, making familiarity with AI interview formats essential for jobseekers navigating modern hiring processes.