Your next job interview could be with an AI agent. How to pass with flying colors

New data shows companies are heavily relying on AI for hiring, with many using it for first-round job candidate interviews.

According to a 2025 survey by HRTech Outlook, 78% of companies are deploying AI in talent acquisition. Those companies reported a 40% reduction in time-to-hire, the survey noted. A separate study found that 87% of companies rely on AI in at least one hiring component.

With AI hiring on the rise, job candidates should not be surprised when their first interview is with an AI agent.

“The impact of AI on job interviews cannot be overstated,” said Nathan Soto, a career expert at Resume Genius. “Our recent survey of 1,000 hiring managers found that 48% of hiring managers use AI to screen resumes before a human reviews them, and 19% use AI to help them conduct video interviews.

Here’s how AI job interviews work

AI interviews usually fall into two main formats: on-demand video or audio recordings, and chat-based interviews.

“Candidates either record their answers or type them out, and the system looks at both the content and the delivery, things like clarity, structure, tone, pacing,” said Jared Navarre, CEO of the business consulting firm Keyni.co, and a creative strategy AI Expert. “Then it compares those responses to whatever ideal profile the company set for the role.”

The result is simple, with a ranked list and a short write-up that a recruiter skims to decide who actually moves forward. “Honestly, it’s a lot more mechanical than people think, but it drives the first cut in most places now,” Navarre said.

That’s a big reason why career experts say AI is reshaping the first-round interview more than any other step in the hiring process.

“Many companies now use automated screeners, one-way video interviews, or AI-driven assessments to handle large applicant volumes,” said Michelle Perchuk, co-founder of New York City-based MTV Coaching, an executive search firm. 

AI interviews typically take place on an online platform, where candidates answer preset questions in video, audio, or written form.

“The system evaluates responses based on employer-selected criteria such as keywords, structure, clarity, or pacing,” Perchuk said. “But AI has blind spots: candidates can essentially say anything just to move to the next round, and the system won’t know whether they're being truthful.”

More importantly, job candidates are used to human interviewers, who understand context, nuance, and credibility, whereas AI does not. “Unless a human steps in to ask deeper questions or request evidence of ROI or outcomes, the system can’t distinguish between genuine skill and performative answers," Perchuk noted.

Use these tips to master your AI job interview

For candidates, AI job interviews mean technology rather than a human being increasingly shapes the initial impression, and that may take some getting used to. “It can feel less personal, but it also creates a more standardized way for employers to evaluate early-stage talent,” Perchuk noted.

That makes it critical for job candidates to sharpen unique skills, communication discipline, and hone strategic “tricks” that help them pass through the AI gatekeepers.“Because these systems rely on preset criteria, applicants must learn to present themselves clearly and simply so the technology can understand and score them accurately,” Perchuk said.

The way forward for job applicants is to specifically prepare for AI-run job interviews, which differ from traditional face-to-face interviews. These action steps should lead the way.

Be clear and concise

Applicants should make their answers as easy as possible for the AI to understand.

“If the AI asks, 'What is your name?' answer directly: 'My name is Michelle,” Perchuk advised. “Most job seekers ramble or give too much context, which confuses the system.”

Know the job description cold

Applicants should also analyze the job description, identify the problem they would solve if hired, and reverse-engineer responses around that. “Structure is everything, so use concise language, match relevant keywords from the job description, and stick to a clear explanation of your skills,” Perchuk said. “AI interviews feel different, and you need to appear prepared, confident, and consistent. Prepare your examples in advance and keep them short, clear, and results-oriented.”

Alignment and focus are also big priorities.

“Everything a job applicant says on an AI-run job interview should be relevant to the competencies required for the role,” Foggle noted.

Keep your authenticity

If a candidate makes it through the AI-assessed part of the hiring funnel, the video will likely be viewed by a human. “A candidate’s interview performance has to score well with the algorithm while still impressing the human who actually makes the hiring decisions,” Foggle said. “Put a sticker near the camera as a reminder to make eye contact.”

It’s also easy to forget to smile in an asynchronous interview because there is no feedback and no nonverbal cues that an applicant’s answers are on the right track, Foggle noted. “There’s nobody on the other side with an encouraging smile,” she said. “Try putting a photo of someone, like a mentor who is a cheerleader you want to impress, near the camera as a reminder to smile, and to infuse some authentic warmth into responses.”

No checking notes

Foggle is a strong advocate of not reading notes during AI job interviews.

“Because of the proliferation of apps that help candidates cheat on interviews by providing answers in real time (i.e., Interview Buddy, Final Round AI), almost all AI interview platforms are assessing eye movements for reading, and can flag reading as cheating,” she said.

Above all else, keep it real

The biggest mistake is treating the AI like a casual recording instead of an objective evaluator.

“Rambling, over explaining, or providing unclear answers hurts candidates because the system can’t extract meaning the way a human can,” Perchuk said. “On the technical side, poor lighting, sound, or connectivity can negatively affect how the AI interprets your responses.

Another major no-no is assuming the AI understands context or nuance, which it doesn’t.

“That’s why practicing presentation skills in front of the camera is essential, along with communicating with clarity, and keeping your answers tightly aligned with the role,” Perchuk advised. “Also, never assume the machine will 'get' your personality; it’s your job to present information crisply, strategically, and in a way the algorithm can digest.

Companies are already reaping benefits from AI-powered interviews, so expect the technology to expand.

“A great example is Fontainebleau Las Vegas Resort and Casino,” said Lili Foggle, founder at Impressive Interview and director of the Interview Institute at the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. “Scheduled to open in December 2023, the casino used Paradox.ai to source, schedule, and screen candidates. They processed 300,000 applications and hired 6,500 employees in three months.”