We Asked 4 Recruiters for the 1 Interview Question They Want to Hear Right Now, and They All Agreed
The best job candidates are those who’ve done their research. But research doesn’t just mean looking into the latest news stories on a company, knowing the nuances of the role in question, or understanding the latest campaigns a particular team has launched.
It also means staying up-to-date on the latest workplace trends and having a finger on the pulse of where the industry is going. Asking the hiring manager the right questions shows you’re aware of the landscape of the industry beyond what’s happening on the company’s social media or the specific day-to-day requirements of the role, and demonstrates that you see the bigger picture. A question like this could even make the hiring manager pause and think about the impact, which is something they may not have time for on a daily basis.
As I talked to hiring managers about the current hiring landscape and what they’re hearing from candidates, they all agreed there’s one question right now that does all of the above. “The interviewee should ask a question about how the company currently thinks about [artificial intelligence],” says Marisa Pereira, vice president of people and organization at Storyblok. “This is the candidate’s opportunity to share how they believe AI can influence or shape the role they are applying for in the future.”
Here’s what the other hiring managers and career experts had to say about the most important thing to ask in an interview right now.
Show You’re Willing to Embrace New Technology
“Asking about AI in a job interview can be a way to demonstrate that you’re up-to-date with current trends and willing to embrace new technologies to creatively solve problems, drive value, and support your work,” says Marissa Morrison, VP of people at ZipRecruiter.
She suggests asking about AI in a way that shows you have an understanding of its possible relevance to your role. Try questions like, “I’ve seen that AI is becoming increasingly integrated into the day-to-day of [industries/roles]. Has the team used AI tools to boost productivity or streamline time-consuming work? Are there any specific uses that have helped your team focus on more strategic work?”
Not only does this show you’re looking ahead and exploring ways to work efficiently, it also gives you insight into how the company views AI in general.
What if the company hasn’t thought through their AI strategy? Even better. “This is an opportunity to showcase your adaptability and innovative problem-solving skills and signal that you’re not only keeping up with industry trends, but also ready to contribute your perspective on how emerging technologies can shape the future of the role,” Morrison says.
Approach with Curiosity
Blake Ricciardi, senior technical recruiter at Customer.io, recommends candidates start simple when they ask about AI. “I’ve had some really pleasant conversations in interviews when candidates ask questions about the company’s adherence, or aversion, to AI tooling,” Ricciardi says.
He recommends approaching the topic with curiosity and an open mind. Ask how specific teams you’ll work with are currently using AI. Are they currently implementing AI tooling or products? Have they solved for any gaps using AI? What is their process around empowering employees to use AI?
Ricciardi says when candidates have asked him these questions, it’s often led to “a rabbit hole of information” around the company’s stance on using AI, which can give you a deeper understanding of how the company works as a whole.
But he also points out an important caveat to keep in mind if you’re going through an interview process where you may be submitting code, completing any take-home assessments, or turning in hypothetical marketing campaigns. “Reach out directly to your recruiter and ask what the limitations and restrictions are for using AI during the interview process.”
Demonstrate a Baseline Understanding
“At this point, every professional should have a baseline understanding of how AI works and the AI adoption patterns in their industry and function,” says Phoebe Gavin, career and leadership coach at Better with Phoebe. Asking about AI is an opportunity to demonstrate this — but you need to be able to back it up with your own knowledge and context.
Gavin recommends that candidates ask questions that focus on how AI can improve their job performance rather than expressing fear. She suggests asking questions like, “As a [role] leader, what’s your perspective on using AI to support [specific function]?,” “Does the company have a policy on using AI tools for work-related tasks?” or “Do you use any AI tools in your day-to-day, and if so, do you have a favorite?”
Remember: Listening to the answers is just as important as asking the questions. Gavin explains that the hiring manager should be prepared to answer these questions with a clear stance. “These answers provide insight into whether the company is aggressive or conservative in AI adoption and allows candidates to gauge if the company’s AI stance aligns with their own.”