In the realm of job interviews, a new focal point is emerging that transcends traditional inquiries about your background and experience. The conversation is shifting towards artificial intelligence (AI). The question every candidate should prepare for in 2025 is: How familiar are you with AI, and how are you utilizing it? Here’s how to get ready for this pivotal question and craft a compelling response.
As with any interview question, storytelling is your best ally. When you assert, “I’m very familiar with AI,” the interviewer will expect you to back it up with concrete examples. You can claim to be an expert, incredibly empathetic, or the fastest coder in the room - but the challenge lies in providing credible evidence. Simply stating familiarity with a topic isn’t enough; you need to demonstrate it. This is where your soft skills, particularly communication, come into play.
When navigating job interview questions, stories offer a direct insight into your thought processes and experiences. So, when you hear the question, “How are you using AI?” start from an unexpected angle: identify a problem you’re aiming to solve.
Becoming acquainted with any subject, including AI, often accelerates when you're tackling a specific challenge. Striving for speed and efficiency is a universal goal, and AI can be an invaluable resource in achieving that. Instead of launching into a series of adjectives about your familiarity with AI, share how you leverage artificial intelligence to address real problems. What challenges are you facing?
Begin with this approach because employers are always on the lookout for problem-solvers. Regardless of the industry, the demand for solution-oriented employees remains constant. How does AI empower you to arrive at solutions more swiftly, efficiently, and accurately than before? What insights have you gained through your work with AI?
Link your current experiences with AI to the challenges that potential employers might encounter. Connect your knowledge to possibilities by showcasing how it aligns with the requirements of the position at hand. If you're uncertain about how your experience relates to the job, don’t hesitate to ask your interviewer for clarification. “I believe those skills would translate well; I’m curious: how does that experience align with this role?” This inquiry not only affirms that you’re on the right path but also fosters a conversational atmosphere during the interview.
Every compelling story contains an element of conflict. In the context of AI, these conflicts can include issues like hallucinations (where AI generates false information) and a lack of transparency (where it’s unclear how results are produced). Another term for conflict is “challenge” or “obstacle.” Within a good story, obstacles exist to showcase your expertise.
How has AI facilitated your achievements, broadened your horizons, or led to new discoveries? What role does AI play in your current or previous positions? One area of challenge might be your level of trust in the outputs generated by AI or its integration within your current (or past) organization. Remember, every hero’s journey is filled with revelations. What did you uncover while working with AI?
The job interview question that’s already becoming prevalent—and will only grow in significance by 2025—centers on what you've learned through your experiences with AI. If you're seeking a new position, consider how AI can assist in that pursuit. This isn’t just another facet of your narrative; it’s an opportunity to gain experience while searching for your next role. The foundation for developing competence in any field (including job searching) starts with familiarity. When addressing job interview questions about AI, focus on crafting stories around the problems you can solve.