Preparing for interviews in the age of AI

Whether you’re fresh out of school or have been practicing for years, getting ready for a job interview can be nerve-wracking. 

Now, with the mainstream adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, job seekers have powerful tools at their fingertips to prepare more effectively. The convenience and efficiency of AI are undeniable, but relying too much on technology can also lead to job applications that feel generic and even impersonal. As AI use becomes prevalent, knowing how to properly leverage its resources while recognizing its advantages and drawbacks becomes crucial. With a leveled playing field, how can you make yourself stand out? Here are four takeaways for using AI to supercharge your job hunt.

Use AI for insightful firm research. 

With around 19,000 architecture offices in the United States, according to AIA’s Firm Survey Report, streamlining job searches nationwide and globally can be daunting. To find opportunities that align with your interests, prompt your AI engine to filter firms based on criteria such as location, project type, and design philosophy. Keep in mind that small studios, about 75% of firms in the U.S., might have limited online exposure, potentially falling outside of the AI's radar. Expand your search by talking to colleagues to ensure you don’t miss out on other attractive opportunities.

Once you've narrowed your list, delve into each company’s ethos. AI can quickly summarize vast information to help tailor your application based on the firm's values, project portfolios, and latest news. Remember, office recruiters want to see how you fit into their team, so be ready to discuss your work experience as it aligns with them. 

For a bit of fun, ask AI to “roast” the company's website and other online profiles. Using humor to exaggerate certain traits might sound silly, but like any cartoon, it can also reveal insights into the studio's design philosophies. Be sure to cross-check AI-generated information to avoid reaching misinformed or superficial conclusions.

Make a good first impression, 2.0.

Portfolios and résumés often make the first impression. In the past, poor line weights or grammatical errors were clear indicators of a candidate's attention to detail. But now, minutiae can be easily improved with widely available tools to refine graphics and written content. When using AI tools to polish your presentation materials, just ensure they accurately reflect your skill level.

If written communication isn’t your strongest suit, AI can create myriad versions of a compelling cover letter to help find the proper structure and tone. Nevertheless, while an AI-generated text might be grammatically flawless, it might misrepresent your personality or design sensibility. Reading aloud is an excellent way to vet the text. Even if an AI revision sounds better, if you feel uneasy, re-write (or regenerate), staying true to your voice.

Use a chatbot to conduct mock interviews—and provide feedback.

AI can effectively guide your interview preparation by simulating scenarios with mock questions and providing real-time feedback, helping you rehearse cohesive and compelling answers. Despite biases to Western socio-political stereotypes and the English language built into AI, it consistently encourages you to be specific in your responses, reinforcing the importance of sharing your unique experiences to stand out in interviews. Consider feeding AI imagined traits about your potential interviewer, such as whether they are joyful or reserved, welcoming or distant, and engaged or detached. Like fictional characters in literature, simulating different personalities and attitudes can help you anticipate various scenarios to better adapt your reactions.

Nevertheless, balance AI-driven practice with real-life interactions. Interviews are more about interpersonal dynamics than technical know-how. While AI surrogates may be able to conduct thorough interviews in the future, for now, they cannot replicate the subtleties of human communication: body language, facial expressions, and tone matter far more than words alone. So treat a friend or mentor to coffee, whether within or outside the field of architecture, to hone your soft skills, like reading the room, adapting to diverse interview styles, engaging comfortably in eye contact, and showing genuine enthusiasm. Someone who knows you is better equipped to highlight your strengths and weaknesses.

Balance AI with authentic impressions. 

Don't let AI overshadow your experience and judgment. Recruiters value spontaneity and genuine insights over scripted or exaggerated claims, so it’s crucial to avoid sounding generic or overselling your experience. Especially today, with so many automated processes, employers are looking for candidates with distinct talents and perspectives that AI cannot replicate. Impress with your authenticity. 

Be aware, too, that most of us lack a rigorous understanding of the algorithms underlying AI engines. Unknowingly, AI might perpetuate social biases, leading to advice that is not as inclusive or representative of diverse perspectives and backgrounds. It's essential to employ these tools thoughtfully to arrive well-informed and ready to showcase your true potential. 

When preparing for architecture interviews, AI undoubtedly offers numerous advantages to manage expectations and mitigate uncertainty. Integrating AI can lead to an effective and well-rounded preparation, significantly improving confidence and chances of success. Ultimately, while AI is a tool, interviewing is a skill; tools are used, and skills are learned. Therefore, staying nimble is critical, especially as technology evolves exponentially. Adept skills can be developed by treating each interview as just another rehearsal. I, for one, interviewed plenty of times before I landed my first job. Looking back, each interaction enabled more comfort being myself, regardless of the situation. 

Armando Rigau, AIA, is a principal and co-owner of D-Logic Architecture & Design Studio in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rigau is also currently Puerto Rico’s Representative in AIA’s Young Architects Forum.