I’m Radhika Sharma, a 35-year-old product manager from New Delhi. After building my tech career since 2015 and progressing to a product owner role at a small company, I recently took a break to spend time with my young daughter. Just two months later, I jumped back into job hunting—this time aiming for product management roles at larger firms.
During my search, I applied to a SaaS company and was invited to take an AI-powered screening interview. The email clearly explained that an AI bot would ask questions to evaluate my product management skills and experience. I was both intrigued and a little uneasy about what to expect.
The AI Interview Setup
Clicking the interview link brought me to a page with strict dos and don’ts: I had to be alone in a quiet space, avoid switching tabs, and share my screen so the system could monitor my laptop activity. After agreeing, I entered the interview.
Right away, a 20-minute timer started counting down, which was a bit distracting. The screen was blank except for a female voice asking detailed questions about product management topics, such as how I plan product roadmaps and handle conflicting stakeholder priorities. There was no avatar or face, just the voice prompting me.
Immediate and Detailed Feedback
When the interview ended, I received an instant evaluation. The AI assessed not only my technical knowledge but also soft skills like engagement, eye contact, facial expressions, posture, and even attire. The feedback was surprisingly accurate. For example, while I scored well technically, the AI noted I wasn’t dressed professionally enough and that my eye contact was only “occasional.” I hadn’t thought to wear a collared shirt, but now I see how important such details are.
Pros and Cons of AI Interviews
One major advantage of AI interviews is the immediate, detailed feedback. In traditional interviews, feedback is often vague or never shared, so this instant insight into strengths and weaknesses was incredibly valuable.
However, the interview lacked a two-way conversation. I couldn’t ask clarifying questions or provide examples to enrich my answers. For example, when asked about managing conflicting priorities, I would have liked to share a specific past experience to illustrate my approach better.
Lessons for Future AI Interviews
Although I didn’t proceed with that company, the AI interview taught me a lot. If I face another AI interview, I’ll come better prepared—dressing professionally, maintaining consistent eye contact, and practicing clear, confident responses.
AI interviews are objective and use fixed criteria to evaluate candidates, unlike human interviews, which can be subjective. So it’s crucial to understand the format and tailor your preparation accordingly.
My advice: Don’t underestimate AI interview systems. Be authentic, be prepared, and yes—dress the part!