{"id":29693,"date":"2025-04-22T13:41:47","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T13:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/certn.co\/?p=29693"},"modified":"2025-04-24T19:26:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T19:26:20","slug":"ai-wont-save-your-interview-process-if-you-dont-fix-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/blog\/ai-wont-save-your-interview-process-if-you-dont-fix-the-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"AI Won\u2019t Save Your Interview Process if You Don\u2019t Fix the Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Let\u2019s talk about hiring. Not the buzzy, AI-driven, \u201cfuture-of-work\u201d kind. I mean the actual, messy, inconsistent interview process that most teams are still running behind the scenes, where managers go rogue, bias creeps in, and interview \u201cbest practices\u201d are more of a rumour than a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On this week\u2019s episode of <em>What the FTE?<\/em>, a podcast by Certn where we explore the tough questions surrounding the future of work, risk management, and employee experience, Certn CEO Andrew McLeod sat down with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zack-cormier-8b926513b\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zack Cormier<\/a>, a senior sales and strategy leader at <a href=\"https:\/\/certn.co\/press-releases\/certn-and-vidcruiter-partner-to-help-hr-departments-save-even-more-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VidCruiter<\/a>, a company specializing in structured video interviewing and recruitment automation software.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zack has been with VidCruiter for over eight years, starting as one of the company\u2019s earliest employees (employee #15) and has grown with the organization as it scaled to over 130+ team members. Zack is known for his deep expertise in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Structured interviewing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AI in recruitment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interview process optimization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-volume and enterprise hiring workflows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>He\u2019s personally spoken to over 5,000 customers across industries, giving him rare insight into what\u2019s really working (and what\u2019s not) in today\u2019s hiring practices. He\u2019s also a vocal advocate for using AI responsibly, especially as a tool to coach interviewers, rather than as a replacement for human decision making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His take? Most orgs are asking how to add AI into interviews&#8230; when they haven\u2019t even built a structured process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Zack puts it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cMost companies are asking how to layer on AI when they haven\u2019t even mastered interview basics. It\u2019s like trying to run before you can walk.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In short, Zack\u2019s not just selling software, he\u2019s helping companies operationalize best practices in hiring, with the data and perspective to back it up. Whether you\u2019re an HR leader, a TA newbie, or simply curious about the changing nature of work, this episode on AI in recruitment will provide you with practical insights to help you secure your seat at the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tune into the full podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/certn.co\/podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/certn.co\/podcast\/<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8212;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Should HR Actually Do With All This AI Buzz? Key Takeaways for HR &amp; TA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Structured Interviews Are 3x More Predictive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.it.purdue.edu\/sites\/Home\/DirectoryApi\/Files\/17826ff8-550e-48a2-ae0a-d6f6a47c5761\/Download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Two meta-analyses<\/a> have concluded that structured interviews are more valid than unstructured interviews. In fact, according to the to industrial-organizational psychology research, structured interviews are 65% predictive of job success, compared to just 22% for unstructured ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 <strong>Action<\/strong>: Implement structured interview guides with consistent, competency-based questions across candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. AI Interview Scoring Isn\u2019t Ready \u2026 Yet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A late-2023 IBM survey of more than 8,500 global IT professionals showed <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ibm.com\/2024-01-10-Data-Suggests-Growth-in-Enterprise-Adoption-of-AI-is-Due-to-Widespread-Deployment-by-Early-Adopters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">42% of companies were using AI screening &#8220;to improve recruiting and human resources.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of folks want AI to tell them: <em>\u201cShould I hire this person or not?\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is the tech isn\u2019t reliable enough.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Transcription errors and lack of performance-linked data mean the outputs are often misleading. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akingump.com\/en\/insights\/alerts\/eeoc-releases-new-ai-guidance-for-employers#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20new%20guidance,religion%2C%20sex%20or%20national%20origin.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EEOC<\/a> even issued guidance in 2023 warning employers about AI tools that may unintentionally discriminate without proper validation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 <strong>Action<\/strong>: Don\u2019t rely on AI for candidate scoring (yet). Instead, use it for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Generating interview questions based on job descriptions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Live coaching for interviewers (e.g., \u201cyou\u2019re off-script\u201d or \u201cstop interrupting\u201d prompts)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Interview Coaching is the Real Game-Changer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine an AI assistant helping interviewers stay on script, reduce bias, and avoid derailments (like bonding over shared hobbies instead of assessing skills). That\u2019s coming soon, and some of it is already here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 <strong>Action<\/strong>: Pilot interview coaching tools with frontline managers to improve consistency and reduce bias in high-volume hiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Retail and Entry-Level Roles Are Seeing the Biggest AI Gains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In high-volume hiring, AI chatbots and automation are delivering four-day time-to-hire metrics by letting candidates choose their own path\u2014in-person, video, or on-demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 <strong>Action<\/strong>: Start experimenting with applicant empowerment models to boost engagement and reduce ghosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Work Samples Still Reign Supreme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether or not a candidate uses AI to complete a task is irrelevant, the quality bar they set for themselves is what matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 <strong>Action<\/strong>: Use work samples and case studies to assess real-world performance, especially when interviewing for tech, ops, and knowledge roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-src=\"https:\/\/certn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Zack-Cormier-on-Certn-What-the-FTE-Podcast-on-AI-in-Interviews-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Zack Cormier, on Certn What the FTE Podcast on AI in Interviews\" class=\"wp-image-29700 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/certn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Zack-Cormier-on-Certn-What-the-FTE-Podcast-on-AI-in-Interviews-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/certn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Zack-Cormier-on-Certn-What-the-FTE-Podcast-on-AI-in-Interviews-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/certn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Zack-Cormier-on-Certn-What-the-FTE-Podcast-on-AI-in-Interviews-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/certn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Zack-Cormier-on-Certn-What-the-FTE-Podcast-on-AI-in-Interviews-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/certn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Zack-Cormier-on-Certn-What-the-FTE-Podcast-on-AI-in-Interviews.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/1024;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next Steps for People Leaders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Audit Your Interviews<\/strong> &#8211; Start recording interviews. You\u2019ll be surprised by how inconsistent they are, especially among first-time hiring managers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Train the Interviewers, Not Just Recruiters<\/strong> &#8211; Most bias and inconsistency happens with managers. Focus your enablement here.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Build (or Buy) Interview Guides<\/strong> &#8211; Don\u2019t wait for perfection. Use tools like ChatGPT to build a starting point, then iterate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get Comfortable with AI as a Coach, Not a Decider<\/strong> &#8211; Use AI to guide, prompt, and support interviewers, not to make hiring decisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use Data to Drive Decisions<\/strong> &#8211; Eliminate post-interview \u201cgut feel\u201d debriefs. Rely on structured scoring and consistency.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bottom Line on AI in the Interview Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Structure is your superpower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI isn\u2019t a silver bullet for hiring, but it\u2019s an incredibly powerful force multiplier if your fundamentals are strong.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Zack: Start with structure.Layer in coaching. When you\u2019re ready, bring in automation to scale it all. This isn\u2019t just about faster hiring, it\u2019s about better hiring. In the age of AI, the companies that win will be the ones who stop cutting corners and start building smarter systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What are you seeing AI do to genuinely improve the quality of hiring beyond screening and scheduling? Where are you seeing it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tune into the full podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/certn.co\/podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/certn.co\/podcast\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>P.S. If you found this article helpful, share it with your team. Let\u2019s make hiring better, together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On this week&#8217;s episode of Certn&#8217;s What the FTE? podcast, Zack Cormier, senior sales and strategy leader ay VidCruiter, covers where and how to use AI in interviews.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":29696,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[284,285],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai-technology","category-what-the-fte"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/52"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29693"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29704,"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29693\/revisions\/29704"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certn.co\/emea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}