If I had a penny for every time I read “AI will take your job” in a headline, whether it’s a LinkedIn post, an article, or yet another anxious hot take, I’d be rich enough to not care whether AI takes my job.

But I do care. And I want to talk about it – not because I’m afraid of AI, but because I think the world needs a reality check.

Let me be clear: AI is not going to take my job. But it might take yours – if you’re not paying attention and you are miss using it.

From “Please apply” to “Please be real”

Let’s go back a bit. Back in the day, the biggest pain point for recruiters was simple: finding enough good candidates. Now? The challenge is different. Today, the real issue is not quantity, it’s authenticity. Are the people we’re speaking with actually who they say they are? Did they write their own CV? Are they using a tool to generate every single response during an interview?

More and more candidates are using AI in the recruitment process. And honestly? That’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you’re using it ethically – to polish your resume, practice interview questions, or prep for a case study – go for it. We all use tools to help us grow. That’s smart.

But here’s where it gets problematic in my opinion.

If you’re walking into an interview with answers you didn’t even write, reading them off your screen like you’re trying to win a blind in a staged high school play – that’s a problem. Especially if you’re wearing glasses. Yes, we can see the screen reflecting in them. Yes, we can tell you’re reading. And no, it’s not as subtle as you think.

The Interview Where AI Joined the Call

Let me give an example. You log in to an interview. The candidate smiles politely. Good energy. Then you ask a question and suddenly, there’s a 3-second delay. Their eyes go slightly left. Then they start talking in a tone that sounds like nothing you heard until than.

First thought: Hmm, that’s odd.

Then it happens again. Another question, another strange pause, another look to the side. And they’re speaking, they’re not stopping. And yet, not really answering the question, but rather just giving you a tour on a Wikipedia page.

Sad Truth: You Might Have Nailed It

And here’s the worst part: they didn’t need to do it. The candidate had solid experience. Good background. They probably would’ve rocked the interview just by being themselves. But now? Now we’re left wondering who we even spoke to. You? Or your browser tab?

It’s like showing up to a date with someone and realising they brought their mother along to whisper all their answers. Romantic? No. Authentic? Also no.

Let’s Talk Ethics: The AI Line You Shouldn’t Cross

AI is becoming part of the hiring process on both sides of the table. Recruiters use it to develop their job ads, flag potential matches, and even draft outreach messages. But here’s the key difference: when recruiters use AI, it enhances our ability to evaluate real humans.

But using it to generate your answers during an actual conversation? That’s deception. It’s not highlighting your capabilities, it’s outsourcing your personality. And that, honestly, kills trust.

A good interview isn’t a quiz. It’s a conversation. We’re not checking if you memorised the right response – we’re watching how you think, how you adapt, how you connect.

When you let AI speak for you, you’re not just cheating the process. You’re cheating yourself. Because no matter how good the tool, we would not go through the entire process if hiring a human was not the end goal.

A Message to the Candidates:

To anyone considering sneaking in AI mid-interview: just don’t. Be real. Be nervous, even. We’re human too. We don’t mind imperfections. We do mind inauthenticity.

And if you absolutely must read from a screen, for the love of hiring, be upfront about it, or don’t wear glasses.

What’s Your Take?

What is your experience and take on the topic? Would you like to hear more about how to very quickly spot if someone is using AI during the interview process?