Lindsey Mastis, "AI Job Interviews with a Digital Human"
"Navigating the future of job interviews: How to impress a digital human"
By: Lindsey Mastis
Some companies are now using Artificial Intelligence to conduct interviews. That means job applicants might have to impress a “virtual human” before they ever get the chance to talk to a real human.
7News On Your Side’s Lindsey Mastis recently got to try out new technology being developed by Veritone while participating in the “Voice & AI” Conference in Washington, D.C.
She first scanned a QR code which opened a window on her phone. A digital human named “Kate” appeared.
“I’m about to show you the power of plugging Meta Human into AI. Ready to play a game?” the AI asked.
The game is called “Where in the world is Kate.” She gave clues, and Mastis tried to guess where she was located -- but it didn’t quite go as planned.
“I missed what she said,” Mastis admitted. “Can I ask her to repeat it?”
But the AI digital human seemed to misunderstand the request.
“You’ve had enough clues so far,” she said.
“Kate” was reluctant to give more clues until Mastis started making random guesses. Being in a loud lobby with a lot of background noise meant she wasn’t able to clearly hear some of the guesses and gave responses that didn’t make sense.
So if a job applicant finds themselves face-to-face with a digital human during an interview, it’s a good idea to be in a quiet space.
Interacting with a digital human is strange at first. But there’s a reason job applicants may need to go through the process.
“Sometimes we'll have 800 to 900 resumes,” said Jerry Ganguzza, Veritone’s Manager of Corporate Events. “For a human to go through 800 resumes would take quite a long time. But we can build on the platform to converse with the person to answer certain questions and say, you know, are you capable of doing this? Are you capable of doing that? So now we can narrow that 800 or 900 resumes down to 100. Then we can do another batch of questions to narrow that 100 down to 10.”
Who better to ask about how to ace an interview with a digital human than artificial intelligence itself?
Mastis went to ChatGPT to ask for tips.
Tips from ChatGPT:
Question: What are tips to ace an interview with an Artificial Intelligence "Digital Human"?
ChatGPT:
Interviewing with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) "Digital Human" can be a unique and potentially challenging experience. These AI-powered digital beings are designed to assess and interact with candidates, making it essential to prepare effectively.
Here are some tips to help you ace an interview with an AI Digital Human:
Research the Company and AI System:
Learn about the company's mission, values, and culture.
Understand the AI system you'll be interacting with. Is it designed for specific tasks, like assessing skills, or is it a more general AI for conversation?
Practice AI Conversations:
Familiarize yourself with AI interfaces like chatbots or virtual assistants. Practice having conversations with them to become comfortable with the format.
Prepare for Common Questions:
Review common interview questions and prepare thoughtful responses.
Highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements that are relevant to the position.
Be Clear and Concise:
Keep your answers clear and to the point. AI Digital Humans may prefer straightforward responses. Avoid overly technical jargon unless the AI system is specialized in your field.
Emulate a Natural Conversation:
Maintain a conversational tone and pace.
Use proper grammar and avoid slang or overly formal language.
Listen Actively:
Pay attention to the AI's prompts and questions carefully.
Ensure your responses address the specific points raised.
Showcase Soft Skills:
AI Digital Humans can assess your soft skills like communication, empathy, and adaptability. Emphasize these qualities in your responses.
Use STAR Method for Behavioral Questions:
When answering behavioral questions, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide structured and detailed responses.
Ask Questions:
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the AI Digital Human. This demonstrates your interest in the role and the company.
Stay Calm:
Remember that you're interacting with a machine, so there's no need to be nervous. Stay calm and composed throughout the interview.
Test Your Tech:
Ensure your internet connection, device, and any required software are working correctly before the interview.
Practice Nonverbal Communication:
Even though you're interacting with a machine, practice good nonverbal communication. Maintain eye contact with your camera and use facial expressions to convey engagement.
Be Patient:
AI Digital Humans may have programmed pauses or response times. Be patient and avoid rushing through the conversation.
Request Feedback:
If possible, ask for feedback on your interview performance from the AI Digital Human. This can provide insights into areas for improvement.
Follow Up: