What to Expect in an AI Interview?

Have you been invited to an AI interview and are unsure how it works?

AI interviews are now a common step in the hiring process. Instead of speaking with a recruiter, candidates answer questions through video, voice, or text. These answers are then reviewed and scored by an AI system.

This article explains what to expect in an AI interview, how it’s different from regular interviews, what the system looks for, and how to prepare. Understanding the process can help you feel more confident and give better responses.

According to LinkedIn’s 2024 hiring report, 43% of companies now use AI interviews as part of their recruitment process.

Keep reading to learn how AI interviews work, what really matters, and how to give yourself the best chance of moving to the next round.

What to Expect in an AI Interview?

1. You’ll Answer Pre-Set Questions

AI interviews use a fixed set of questions designed to match the job you applied for. These questions are often related to real workplace situations, problem-solving, or teamwork. You may be given 30 to 90 seconds to answer each one, depending on the format.

Unlike live interviews, there is no follow-up or back-and-forth, so your first answer matters most. Some platforms allow practice questions before the real ones begin, but not all do.

Most questions are open-ended and require clear thinking. For example, you might be asked, “Describe a time when you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you manage it?”

You won't be able to pause, re-record, or ask for clarification, so preparation is key.

2. The Questions Will Be Role-Based

Most AI interview questions are based on the job you applied for. They are designed to test how well you understand the role and whether you can handle real tasks or challenges in that position. 

For example, if you're applying for a marketing position, the AI might ask how you would promote a new product with a limited budget. For a customer service role, the question might focus on how you would respond to a difficult customer.

Each question gives you a chance to show your problem-solving ability, communication skills, and understanding of the job. The AI interviewer looks for key points in your answer, such as how clearly you explain your thinking and how relevant your response is to the role.

Preparing with real examples from school, past jobs, or projects can help you give strong answers that match the needs of the position.

3. The AI Will Analyze How You Communicate

AI interviews don’t just check what you say, they also look at how you say it. Your voice, tone, speed, and clarity all play a role in how your answers are scored. If you're doing a video interview, the system may also analyze your facial expressions, eye contact, and body language.

The goal is to understand how well you can express ideas, stay calm under pressure, and explain your thoughts clearly. The AI also looks for keywords that match the job description, so your word choice matters.

If your answer is rushed, unclear, or off-topic, the system may give it a lower score. On the other hand, speaking clearly, staying on topic, and using the right words can help you stand out.

This part of the AI interview helps measure soft skills like confidence, clarity, and professionalism, all things that are important in almost every job.

4. Your Answers Will Be Scored by the AI

Once you finish the interview, the AI system will review and score your answers. It doesn’t make random guesses, it uses a set of rules and job-specific criteria to decide how well your responses match the role.

The AI looks at several things: the content of your answer, how clearly you explained it, how confident you sounded, and whether you used important words related to the job. It may also consider your tone, pace, and structure.

Each answer gets a score, and those scores help the company decide who moves to the next round. The goal is to find candidates who show both skill and strong communication.

Since the AI uses the same standards for everyone, it keeps the process fair and consistent. The recruiter will receive your results along with notes or summaries, making it easier for them to focus on the best-matched applicants.

5. The Interview May Be Short

AI interviews are usually much shorter than regular interviews. Most last between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how many questions are included. Some may only have 5 to 7 questions, especially in the first round of screening.

Each question is timed, so you’ll only have a limited window, usually 30 to 90 seconds, to respond. Once you answer, you move to the next one automatically. There’s no small talk or follow-up questions, which makes the process faster.

Even though the interview is short, every answer matters. The AI recruiter is analyzing both what you say and how you say it, so it's important to stay focused and clear from the beginning.

Because of the shorter format, companies can quickly screen many candidates at once. This helps them find top applicants faster, while still using a structured and fair process to evaluate each person.

6. Fast Feedback and Next Steps

One of the biggest benefits of AI interviews is how quickly the results are processed. Since the system scores your answers automatically, recruiters don’t have to spend hours reviewing every interview. This means you may hear back within a few days, instead of waiting weeks like in traditional hiring.

If your score meets the company’s standards, you’ll likely be moved to the next round, usually a live video or in-person interview with a hiring manager. Some companies also send short feedback or progress updates after the AI review is complete.

Because the process moves quickly, it’s important to check your email often after completing the interview. Responding on time helps you stay ahead in the process.

Faster feedback means less waiting, and it helps both the company and the candidate move forward without delays. AI recuiter makes the early hiring steps smoother and more efficient for everyone involved.

Conclusion

AI interviews are changing how companies find and evaluate talent. They are faster, more structured, and help hiring teams make decisions based on clear data rather than just personal opinion. While the process may feel unfamiliar at first, understanding how it works can make a big difference in how you perform.

From pre-set, role-based questions to real-time scoring and short formats, AI interviews focus on how well you fit the job, both in skills and communication. Since there’s no back-and-forth or second chances, preparation is key.

Knowing what to expect in an AI interview helps you stay calm, confident, and better prepared to give strong, relevant answers.

As more companies use AI in early screening, being ready for these interviews is a smart step. The better you understand the system, the more successful you'll be in moving forward.