Previously, after applying for a role, an HR manager would review your credentials, and you would receive an email inviting you to an interview. You’d head to the employer’s office, frantically reviewing your CV on the way, and then have a face-to-face interview with the team.

However, since the pandemic, we've seen a rise in virtual interviews (which I fully support). But could speaking to an AI be the next step in recruitment? In this ever-changing job market, companies are constantly seeking new ways to streamline their hiring processes. Recently, I experienced this firsthand when I was asked to participate in an AI-led interview. The process was, well, let’s just say, weird.

About 30 minutes before my scheduled interview, I received a link to a specifically designed platform to conduct the interview.

Upon clicking the link, I was greeted by a sleek, user-friendly interface. My face appeared on the left side, and a floating AI orb on the right, glowing and moving as it asked me questions. The AI introduced itself and outlined the interview process.

The questions were read aloud to me and also displayed on the screen (in case of any audio issues). I had a set amount of time to respond verbally, pressing the "click to speak" button each time I wanted to answer.

The entire process was highly regimented. It was a different experience from a typical human interaction. The AI would ask a question, and I would respond. There was no feedback, no nods of understanding, no follow-up questions, or prompts to dive deeper into my answers. I couldn’t ask any questions about the role — the only option to communicate with a human was through a chat window at the bottom of the screen. The lack of human presence made the experience feel devoid of personality.

Anyone who knows me knows that I can talk. I could even talk to a brick wall if I had to. However, I found it challenging to maintain my usual interview energy. Typically, I draw energy from the interviewer’s reactions and body language, but with the AI, I felt like I was talking to myself. The lack of human interaction made it hard to gauge how I was doing. I felt more like a social media influencer filming a video in their bedroom.

How long do interviews normally last? I would say about 30 to 45 minutes. My AI interview lasted precisely 18 minutes and 34 seconds.

Furthermore, the AI didn’t provide any visual feedback, which made it hard to stay motivated. I often lost my train of thought, and with no "repeat button," I found myself nervously laughing and rambling on.

Overall, while AI interviews can be efficient and potentially eliminate biases present in human-led interviews, they strip away the raw human elements that candidates need for a meaningful experience. Personally, I don’t think this is the right direction for recruitment.

I am still trying to figure out how the interview went! I will keep you posted.