Why Your Next Interview Might Be With a Machine (and Not a Manager)
AI is rapidly changing the hiring process. From resume screening to chatbot interviews, companies are turning to technology to save time. But can machines really replace the human touch in hiring? Here’s what every job seeker needs to know.
Imagine applying for your dream job and realizing your first round isn’t with a human at all, but with a machine. Sounds futuristic? Well, it’s already happening.
Across the world, and especially in the US, companies are leaning heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) to handle the early stages of hiring.
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More than 80% of firms are now using AI tools to scan CVs and filter candidates.
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40% of employers rely on chatbots to talk to applicants.
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And almost 1 in 4 companies use AI to conduct actual interviews.
That means your very first “conversation” with a potential employer could be with a bot.
Why Companies Love It
Hiring managers say AI saves them time, reduces human bias, and helps them deal with the flood of applications that come in for every role. For recruiters, it’s a way to speed up the process and shortlist quickly.
Jim Chaffee, an AI expert at the University of Iowa, calls AI “a useful and time-saving tool” for screening candidates. And let’s be honest — when hundreds of CVs land in an inbox, AI can sort through them faster than any human can.
Where AI Falls Short
But here’s the flip side: while machines can pick up keywords from your CV or assess how quickly you answer a chatbot, they’re not very good at understanding the “real you.”
AI can’t judge personality, passion, or cultural fit in the same way a human can. Chaffee points out that chatbots are “not properly equipped to get more in-depth with a candidate.” Which means qualities like empathy, creativity, and communication style might not come through in an AI-led process.
What This Means for Job Seekers
If you’re applying for roles today, you’ll likely face AI at some stage. The key is to adapt:
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Optimize your CV with relevant keywords so it passes AI filters.
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Practice for AI interviews – clear, concise answers often work better than long-winded responses.
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Show your human side later – once you’re in front of real interviewers, let your personality shine.
The Future of Hiring
AI is not going away. In fact, its role in recruitment is only going to grow. But while technology can help companies shortlist faster, the final decision still rests on something uniquely human – connection.
So yes, a robot might interview you. But at the end of the day, it’s still people who hire people.
