Understanding AI Scored Interviews

The following post explores the topic of Understanding AI Scored Interviews.

As companies increasingly embrace AI in the hiring process, it is becoming a standard tool for evaluating candidates, handling everything from screening Resumes to scoring interviews.

Read: Why Informational Interviews Are Useful

Related: Why We Still Need Resume Writers (in an AI World)

That’s right, companies are now using AI to evaluate interviews, and the results can play a major role in who moves forward. For candidates, this adds another layer of complexity to the evaluation process.

Here’s what you need to know.

Understanding AI-Scored Interviews

An AI-scored interview is any interview evaluated, in whole or in part, by artificial intelligence. This can include pre-recorded video interviews, automated phone screenings, or chatbot-based text interviews, typically with no live human interaction. The AI system analyzes your performance against a series of benchmarks.

No Two AI Scoring Systems Are Alike

Before diving too deep, it’s worth noting that not all AI interview scoring systems are equal.

The reality is there are dozens (if not hundreds) of different AI interview systems being used by companies today, each designed with its own technical code, product features, and scoring algorithms.

The goal may be the same (to evaluate candidates in a consistent way) but every system functions differently. Each system has its own strengths, weaknesses, and quirks, which is why it is risky to generalize.

Why Companies Use AI-Scored Interviews

Many companies are embracing AI-scored interviews as a valuable tool for saving time and manpower.

Instead of reviewing every application or conducting initial phone screens themselves, they can rely on AI to quickly evaluate candidates and identify those worth a closer look.

In addition, these tools help weed out less serious candidates. As a job seeker, completing AI-based interviews is a hurdle to clear. Some candidates simply may not be willing to put in the time or effort (effectively weeding themselves out of consideration).

How AI Scores Your Interview

Depending on the AI interview scoring system you’re interacting with, your performance is measured across multiple dimensions and gets converted into a score or ranking along with all the other candidates.

The most common factors that get scored by AI are the actual substance of your answers (keywords, terminology, relevancy), communication style (cadence, confidence, tone), behavioral cues (enthusiasm, energy, respectfulness), and nonverbal cues (facial expressions, body language, micro expressions).

Traditional vs. AI Scored Interviews

The biggest difference between AI-scored and traditional interviews is the lack of real-time human interaction.

In a traditional interview, your responses are shaped by conversation, with opportunities for clarification, rapport-building, and subtle adjustments based on the interviewer’s reactions. By contrast, AI-scored interviews are one-way, standardized, and algorithm-driven, where every candidate gets the same questions.

Preparing for AI Interview Assessments

Preparing for AI-scored interviews requires a strategic approach. While the idea of being evaluated by software can feel daunting, preparation can make a big difference.

In order to feel prepared, I recommend practicing concise, structured answers. Frameworks like the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help keep your responses focused. Also, you should take note of the keywords used in the original job description and try to work them into your answers.

Focus on delivery by speaking clearly, maintaining steady pacing, and showing energy. Facial engagement and a lively tone can positively impact your AI score. It’s worth noting that many platforms offer practice questions, which you should use to test your camera, microphone, and pacing before the real interview.

For video interviews, remember to set up your environment carefully with good lighting, a quiet space, and a neutral background to reduce distractions and help the system focus on you.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this article helps you understand how AI scored interviews work. Preparing strategically can help you perform with confidence and give you an edge over other candidates.