Using Generative AI for interviews
Generative AI (GenAI) tools are increasingly becoming part of how applicants prepare for interviews. When used well, these tools can support your preparation and help you feel more confident going into an interview. When used ineffectively, especially during the interview itself, GenAI tools can undermine your credibility with employers.
The goal is not to avoid GenAI entirely, but to use it in ways that strengthen your ability to communicate your experience.
How GenAI can support interview preparation
AI tools can be helpful when you are preparing and practicing before an interview. Applicants often use GenAI to:
brainstorm common interview questions for a role or industry
identify skills and experiences that are commonly emphasized for similar roles in an industry
structure responses using frameworks such as STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
practice articulating experiences you haven’t discussed before using AI-powered mock interview platforms
Used these ways, GenAI acts as a preparation tool that is similar to a practice worksheet or mock interview prompt. It can help you organize your thinking and notice areas where you want to add clearer examples or more detail.
GenAI tip: Prompt “Help me refine my interview skills for a [specific job role]. Ask me common interview questions and provide feedback on my responses.”
This can help you practice answering questions out loud and reflect on clarity, structure and relevance, similar to a mock interview.
GenAI tip: If you already have a draft response for a behaviour-based question, try: “Rewrite the following answer to use more compelling language, include metrics where possible and make it more relevant to a [job title].”
After reviewing the output, take time to revise it, so it reflects your own voice, experience and comfort level. The goal is to practice thinking, not to memorize a script.
If you’re looking for more examples, you may find this resource helpful: 35 Genius ChatGPT Prompts to Help You Prep for Job Interviews
Using GenAI responsibly and effectively
A helpful way to think about GenAI is as a practice partner, not a replacement for your thinking. When reviewing AI-generated responses, ask yourself:
How can I incorporate my own voice and communication style (e.g., word choice, phrasing, tone)?
What would I change to reflect my own experience?
What examples or details can I add?
Some candidates also choose to be transparent about their preparation process, such as mentioning that they used GenAI to brainstorm questions or reflect on how to structure an answer. Using AI responsibly can demonstrate honesty, self-awareness and critical thinking.
Risks of using GenAI during interviews
Using GenAI during an interview, such as entering questions into a GenAI tool and reading out responses, creates significant risks. Employers report that AI-generated answers often sound similar across candidates and lack personal detail.
Unless an employer has explicitly stated that AI use is permitted during the interview, using it live may lead to concerns about authenticity or misrepresentation and can result in disqualification from the hiring process.
Why your own voice matters in interviews
Interviews are not about delivering perfect or scripted answers. Employers use interviews to understand how you think, reflect and communicate in real time. They are listening for:
your reasoning and problem-solving skills
how you explain your experiences
how you respond to follow-up questions
how well your answers align with what you submitted in your application
Answers that sound overly generic or rehearsed can make it difficult for employers to assess your fit for the role.
Key takeaway
Your experience, perspective and communication skills are what employers assess in an interview. GenAI can support your preparation, but it cannot speak for you.
Use GenAI to practice before the interview. Then let your own voice and thoughts lead in the interview.
If you’d like support using GenAI responsibly in your interview preparation, career advisors can help you think through strategies that align with your goals and employer expectations.
GenAI resources
- Learn more about: Gen AI in job applications