Using AI to Prepare for Interviews: A Recruiter's Guide for Candidates

Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are becoming increasingly popular among job seekers, and when used correctly, they can be a valuable interview preparation tool.

At Sammons Recruitment, we encourage candidates to use AI to help organise their thoughts, understand role requirements and prepare for interviews. However, AI should support your preparation, not replace your own experience, knowledge and personality.

The strongest candidates use AI to enhance their preparation while ensuring their interview responses remain authentic and personal.

Before an interview, it’s important to have a clear understanding of why your skills and experience are relevant to the position.

AI can help by comparing your CV to a job description and identifying the areas where your experience aligns most closely.

Try asking:

• How well does my CV align with this job description?
• Which skills and achievements should I emphasise for this role?
• What strengths would an employer see from my CV?

This can help you focus on the experience that is most relevant to the role and prepare more targeted interview responses.

Many candidates have more relevant experience than they realise.

AI can help you review your CV and identify examples that demonstrate key competencies such as leadership, stakeholder management, problem-solving and project delivery.

Try asking:

• Which examples demonstrate leadership?
• What achievements highlight my problem-solving skills?
• What evidence shows effective stakeholder management?

These insights can help you prepare stronger and more detailed interview answers.

Many employers use competency-based interviews to assess both technical expertise and behavioural skills.

AI can generate potential interview questions based on the role you are applying for, giving you an opportunity to practise beforehand.

Try asking:

• What competency-based questions might I be asked for this role?
• What interview questions are commonly asked for a pensions professional?
• How can I improve this answer?

The more familiar you are with potential questions, the more confident you are likely to feel on the day.

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) remains one of the most effective ways to structure interview answers.

AI can help you organise your examples into a clear and concise format.

Try asking:

• Help me create a STAR example from this experience.
• How can I make this answer more concise?
• Which of my examples best demonstrates leadership?

Remember, the example should always be based on your own experience and achievements.

Good interview preparation goes beyond reviewing the job description.

AI can help you better understand an organisation, its services, recent developments and the wider industry landscape.

This can help you ask more informed questions and demonstrate genuine interest in the opportunity.

Our Advice

AI can be a useful tool during your job search, but it should never become a script.

Candidates who perform best in interviews typically:

✔ Research the employer thoroughly

✔ Understand the role and key requirements

✔ Prepare relevant examples from their own career

✔ Practise their delivery

✔ Demonstrate enthusiasm and authenticity

Technology can help you prepare for an interview, improve your confidence and refine your answers.

However, employers hire people, not AI.

Your experience, achievements, personality and motivation remain the most important factors in any interview.

Use AI to prepare. Let your experience do the talking.