Artificial Intelligence (or AI for short) has been in the news more and more these days. In November, we saw the launch of ChatGPT, an open-sourced AI program where people can do everything from ask questions or draft emails to write academic papers or create a never ending episode of Seinfeld. Access to AI has disrupted an industry once reserved for highly skilled computer coders and now requires nothing more than an internet connection to get started and experiment with new uses for the technology. We imagine we’ll be talking more and more about AI—both its opportunities and challenges for our community. To get those conversations started, we have decided to dedicate the CAC Blog this week to looking at topics relating to AI through the Cancer and Careers lens.

One of the main uses of AI is to automate processes that require a large amount of human work hours and streamline the process to reduce the time needed. As pointed out in a recent Washington Post article, this is now being utilized by HR departments to sift through potential candidates in a hiring process. A one-way interview is not a new practice (you can read our past blog on it here), but more and more these days your video response may be being analyzed by AI before ever being seen by a human being. Used mostly for entry-level positions at large companies, or other roles that receive large amounts of applicants, a one-way interview is a way to get an initial impression of a candidate and narrow down an applicant pool to a number that is more manageable for the person hiring. A candidate is typically asked to appear on camera and record a video of them speaking to prompts provided by the company. The next stop is for an AI program to evaluate not only your responses, but your communication style, problem solving skills and professionalism. 

This is not meant to replace a traditional interview. Later stages in the process will still include face-to-face interviews with HR, a manager or other leadership at the organization. The AI is simply a tool used by HR to bring an applicant pool to a number that can be realistically handled. This has been seen for years in a more primitive form with ATS (Applicant Tracking System) which scans resumes and cover letters submitted for keywords that apply to the position (For more tips on ATS and resume writing, click here). Video interviews are a way to take that one step further.

As with most new technology, there are concerns over the AI software. Just like a human being can be unintentionally biased by seeing a candidate in a headscarf or with a visible surgery scar and make unfair judgements, AI has shown to be vulnerable to discrimination or misunderstanding too, including but not limited to, candidates who are neurodivergent, have an accent, have a speech impediment, or are not native English speakers. While you should not have to change anything about how you speak or look for any kind of interview, you may also have concerns that appearance-related things may inadvertently disclose your cancer. Strategies such as wearing a wig or applying makeup to a scar (for both men and women) may be a way to minimize visual cues that might accidentally disclose a diagnosis you wish to keep private during a job search whether in person, on Zoom or with an AI system. The algorithms are constantly being tweaked and refined by the companies that own the AI software to address these issues. All of this is so new that human checks and balances may still be needed, but the time the AI software saves is the driving force for the companies who are utilizing it.

All of this can sound confusing or scary to someone who is not well versed in AI, but ultimately, there are best practices you can use if you ever find yourself being asked to do a one-way interview or an AI based interview. Many of these do not vary too much from tips we would give for interviewing in person (more info on Interviewing can be found here), but some special considerations should be made in this virtual environment (For more information on virtual interviews, download our Virtual Interviewing Survival Guide):

1. Check Your SetupYou’ll want to make sure your technology is working properly before recording your responses. Make sure your Wi-Fi connection is strong. Plug your computer into a power source so a battery doesn’t interrupt your interview. Make sure your operating system and web browser are up to date. All of these will help get the clearest, most professional looking and sounding video possible, and eliminate unnecessary interference that the AI might not recognize.
2. Dress to Impress
   Just because you are not in-person doesn’t mean you should dress any differently than if you were in person. This goes for face-to-face interviews over a video messaging service (such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams), and just as important for a one-way AI interview. First impressions are always important, but how you dress could be part of the analysis pulled by the AI. There is also a strong likelihood that a real human will watch these videos at some point if you make it to the next round, so make sure your first impression is strong.
3. Do Your Research
   You’ll want to have a good understanding about the company you are interviewing for, as well as the role you are seeking. You’ll want to be able to work in specific points about the organization or the job responsibilities laid out in a job description when answering your questions. It’s a good idea to even mimic back some of the exact phrases from the job description that the AI can pick up on and give you a higher score. For example, if the job description says they are looking for someone who has “strong organizational skills”, start the answer to “How do you manage a busy workload?” with “I have strong organizational skills and keep a to-do list up to date so I know what needs to be done at every step of the process.” Spend time before the interview reading through the organization’s website, the job description as well as supplementary sources like LinkedIn or Glassdoor, so you have a sense of the culture as well as the nuts and bolts of what the organization does. Take notes as organizations and roles can blur together when you are applying for multiple jobs at a time.
4. Prepare What You’re Going to Say
   Just as you would with a face-to-face interview, you’ll want to think through potential questions beforehand. One of the most common, for example, is “Tell us about a time when you had to solve a tough problem”. Knowing what you are going to say takes out a lot of stress or anxiety going into an interview, making you more relaxed and able to articulate yourself in a way that will get you noticed and moved onto the next round.
5. Practice on Video
   While some software will let you rerecord an answer, it might not always be available. Practice by recording yourself and watching the video back. This will let you analyze and identify bad habits. Do you look away from the camera where it looks like you’re not engaged? Do you fidget when you get nervous? Are your answers clear and understandable? Practice before so you can be aware of how you come across on video and give the best impression possible.
6. Talk to the Camera
   Talking directly to a camera can be awkward and unnatural for many of us. But looking into the camera makes you come off more engaged and focused. Some AI systems monitor body language, facial emotions and eye contact. By being aware of your gaze, your chances of connecting with the AI will be greater. One suggestion is to tape a photo of someone you care about near the camera (though be careful to not block it). This allows you to be more natural and relaxed as if you were talking to a family member or friend.

This is just one small aspect to a job search. If you want more tips and resources when applying for jobs, check out the Looking for Work section of our website. And check back later this week for more topics regarding AI as it may apply toward balancing work and cancer.