Can you use AI in an interview to generate answers to the interviewer’s questions? Sure. And whether or not you want to, other candidates are doing so. This puts you in a tricky position, but not for the reasons you think.
First, the obvious question: Is it ethical? Although the use of AI tools to prepare before an interview seems fair enough, using AI to put words in your mouth during the interview itself is generally considered cheating. As Josh Burke, a senior division director at the Robert Half agency stated in an October 2024 article:
“People ask me, ‘Is using AI considered cheating in an interview?’ My answer is always, ‘yes’. The provision of real-time assistance undermines the integrity of the interview. I believe that any candidate choosing to use AI in an interview would risk misrepresenting their skills, which would likely be uncovered later in the job.”
Sure, it might be discovered later–or guessed at right away, before the interview is even over. AI-generated interview answers are typically bland and generic. They don’t sound human.
“Fine, so I won’t use AI in an interview. End of story, right?”
Not quite. As usual, the cheaters are making things difficult for everyone else: now, you not only need to avoid cheating, but also to avoid giving the impression that you’re cheating.
For years I’ve told job seekers that they can put notes on their computer screen for quick reference during video interviews. There’s nothing wrong with that, since your notes are simply reminders of your own knowledge.
Here’s the catch: If the interviewer sees you looking off to the side, apparently reading something, will they think you’re parroting an answer generated by software?
Don’t be mistaken for a cheater.
One way to avoid the impression of cheating with AI is simply to avoid using any notes during your video interviews.
If you do want to use notes, keep them extremely brief. You can glance at a simple fact or figure like “2020-2024 growth 35%” or the titles of a few STAR stories you want to tell. If your notes are lengthier than that, you may appear to be reading a script, whether it’s your own work or an AI’s. Not only does that look like cheating, but it’s ineffective.
Scripted answers are boring, and their stilted delivery can easily raise doubts about your knowledge, your trustworthiness, and your ability to think on your feet.
If you use AI in an interview, you risk sounding like a robot.
Remember when I said AI-generated interview answers sound generic and bland? To sound like a human being and not a robot, speak in a natural way, avoiding excessive jargon. Don’t use big words where small ones would do. Give examples from your own work, and be prepared for followup questions the interviewer may ask to delve deeper into your examples.
I watched a demo of Final Round AI Copilot, a software that provides scripted answers during video interviews. One interview question was, “How would you ensure effective communication with team members while working remotely?” The recommended answer began as follows:
“To maintain productivity and ensure effective comunication with my team when working remotely, I would:
“Establish clear communication channels: Set up regular virtual meetings and utilize collaboration tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams to stay connected with team members.
“Create a structured schedule: Plan out my day and set specific goals to prioritize tasks and stay focused…”
(And so on, through at least 6 more bullet items.)
Does that sound like a person talking? More like an instruction manual.
A more natural, convincing answer might answer like this:
“Regular virtual meetings are a must, and I’ve used Slack and Microsoft Teams a lot. But effectiveness has to start with me being organized. One thing I do religiously is, right before I stop work each evening, I plan the next day. That way, when I hit the desk at eight a.m., I know what to focus on.”
Why does this sound so much more human? It uses informal language, such as “a lot” and “hit the desk.” It uses the word “I” and shows feeling: “One thing I do religiously…”
Be authentic.
You know how to sound human. You do it all day. You can do it in interviews, better than any AI.
It’s fair to use artificial intelligence tools in preparing your resume and cover letters. You can even use AI tools for interview prep (although you may want to consider live interview coaching and/or an interview prep app created by a human interview coach instead).
Can you use AI in an interview, like a teleprompter to feed you answers that don’t represent your own thoughts, and still sound real? Ultimately, the best way to sound authentic is to be authentic.
