Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

You prepared for a conversation.

 

But the voice on the other side? Might not even be human.

In 2025, job interviews are no longer just about showing up on time and answering questions clearly. They’re increasingly automated, analyzed, and AI-enhanced—shifting the entire experience from personal to predictive.

If that makes you feel unsure or even uneasy, you’re not alone. But knowledge is power—and preparation is your edge.

 

The Rise of AI in Interviews

AI doesn’t just help recruiters schedule interviews anymore—it’s now helping them runthem.

From pre-recorded video screenings to gamified assessments and automated follow-ups, artificial intelligence is shaping everything from who gets an interview to how it’s scored.

 

📊 The 2025 Interview Landscape

According to ResumeBuilder:

• 76% of companies plan to use AI to ask interview questions
• 63% will use facial recognition to interpret candidate behavior
• 62% will analyze voice and language patterns to assess fit

The interviews of the future are already here—and they’re watching more than just your words.

 

Real-World Examples

 

LinkedIn’s AI Hiring Assistant

 

LinkedIn is piloting a tool that writes job descriptions, filters applicants, and helps schedule interviews—cutting down recruiter workload dramatically. (The Times UK)

 

Chipotle’s Ava Cado

 

Yes, even fast-casual dining is using AI. Chipotle launched “Ava Cado,” a hiring assistant that cut their time-to-hire from 12 days to four. (MarketWatch)

This isn’t the future—it’s the present.

 

Candidate Perspectives

A recent New York Post survey found that:

• 43% of Americans feel uncomfortable with AI-led interviews
• Many worry their facial expressions, tone, or even internet connection could work against them

One of my clients, a former department lead with 20+ years of experience, told me her first AI-screened interview felt “like talking into a void.” No questions. No feedback. Just a rejection email days later.

“It felt like I was auditioning for a system that didn’t know me—and didn’t care to.”

That’s the hidden cost of automation: less humanity, more guessing.

 

Concerns About Bias

AI systems are only as fair as the data they’re trained on. If the dataset is biased? The outcomes will be too.

This is especially critical for mid-career professionals, disabled candidates, and nontraditional applicants—who may not fit neatly into the “ideal candidate profile” AI is measuring against.

That’s why human oversight matters just as much as innovation.

 

Why This Matters (Especially If You’re Over 40)

If you grew up being told to “look them in the eye” and “connect with confidence,” an AI-led interview can feel like a complete 180.

For mid-career professionals, this isn’t just a tech shift—it’s a mindset shift.

But the good news? You don’t need to throw away what makes you great. You just need to repackage your value for the new gatekeeper.

Think of the process like airport security:

You might have a perfectly good reason to board that flight—but if your bag sets off the scanner, you’re not getting through. Same with your résumé, tone, or phrasing in an AI screen.

 

Preparing for an AI-Driven Interview

✅ Be clear and concise

Avoid rambling. Speak in complete sentences, using relevant keywords.

✅ Mind your body language

If it’s a video screen, assume you’re being recorded and analyzed.

✅ Practice ahead of time

Use tools like Interviewing.io or record yourself answering questions on camera.

✅ Stay human

Ironically, one of the best ways to “beat the bot” is by being authentic. Inconsistencies, robotic answers, or memorized scripts tend to flag the system.

 

In 2025, interviews aren’t about personality—they’re about pattern recognition. Own your story anyway.

 

Fairness, Inclusion & the Human Factor

AI can speed things up—but it can also miss what makes you remarkable.

That’s why the call for ethical AI and inclusive hiring systems is louder than ever.

And that’s where organizations must take responsibility—not just for efficiency, but for equity.

 

Final Thought

AI might be sitting across the (virtual) table.

But you still have control.

• Prepare with intention.
• Know how the system works.
• And remember: the goal isn’t to perform for the machine. It’s to present your value with clarity—so when the right company sees you, they know you’re the one.

 

Coming Next

In my next issue, I’ll be unpacking how to build a personal brand that stands out in the age of AI, where personality, positioning, and visibility matter more than ever.

🔔 Subscribe now so you don’t miss it.

 

While You Wait

Want to make sure your résumé isn’t working against you before the interview even starts?

📖 Read this next: 6 Resume Tips for Job Seekers Over 40

It breaks down what to cut, what to update, and what AI is flagging behind the scenes—especially if you’re over 40 and feeling overlooked.

 

One More Resource from Me

For those with visible or hidden disabilities, AI may be filtering you out—without you even knowing it.

📘 Is Your AI Excluding Disabled Workers? 5 Ways to Identify and Fix Hidden Barriers in Hiring

This blog breaks down how AI tools can unintentionally block talented candidates based on non-obvious factors—like neurodivergence, health-related gaps, or atypical communication styles—and what can be done to change that.

Whether you’re a job seeker or an advocate, this is an eye-opener.

 

Written by April Ogden, Executive Career Consultant and Founder of It’s Your Outcome

 

Helping mid-career professionals navigate AI, automation, and career growth—on their terms.

💬 Got thoughts or questions about AI interviews? Drop them in the comments or hit reply. I’d love to hear how it’s affecting your job search.