Artificial intelligence is changing the skills recruiters look for in candidates — and the interview questions job seekers should expect to answer.
While AI-related interview questions have become commonplace for job seekers targeting technical roles, candidates searching for non-technical jobs can now also expect to discuss their AI use as more companies implement AI and ethical concerns around the technology grow.
A survey of over 1,500 U.S.-based workers from the job board ZipRecruiter conducted in September 2026 found that 82.5% of workers use AI to some capacity at work, though only 62.8% report having received AI training from their employer. Non-technical jobs with mention of AI in the description are also on the rise, accounting for 4.3% of all job posts on ZipRecruiter at the time of the report, up from just 1.9% in 2025.
Job seekers can anticipate questions about “how they might use AI” on the job, says Lisa Dubler, director of career services at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. And, just like any other interview questions, preparing responses to AI-related questions in advance can help candidates make a strong impression on decision-makers.
Regardless of the role, Dubler says there are three categories of AI-related questions job seekers should prepare to answer ahead of an interview: “Candidates should be ready to talk about how they use AI, candidates should be ready to talk about how they might use AI in a particular role, and candidates should feel comfortable speaking about their use of AI as it relates to safety and ethical points of view,” Dubler explains.
Interviews are also an opportunity for candidates to evaluate their stance on AI against a company’s expectations for the role.
‘Always be honest’ and research the company
AI-related questions, Dubler says, generally evaluate a candidate’s ability to think about a job they have yet to secure. “Recruiters really want some insight into how someone is thinking about their use of AI as it relates to the job that they’re interviewing for,” Dubler explains, with AI safety and ethics top of mind.
As AI rapidly evolves, staying on top of industry trends becomes increasingly important to successfully addressing the AI skills employers want candidates to have. ZipRecruiter labor economist Nicole Bachaud suggests that candidates research how successful companies in their industry have integrated AI into their workplaces. Industry leaders sometimes share information about their AI integration plans directly to their company website. This can help candidates identify the AI skills most in-demand within their industry and better align their interview responses to the role.
“Only about 10% of workers put AI skills prominently on their resume when they’re looking for jobs,” Bachaud says. “And so, even though it’s a thing that employers are really really interested in, workers still don’t really know exactly how to market those skills either, even if they do have them in some capacity.”
In the interview, Dubler reminds candidates to “always be honest,” use examples from previous projects and emphasize how AI supported their work and how those skills translate to the new role. Referencing specific AI platforms and their different capabilities can also help candidates succeed.
If an interview question feels too broad, career coach Freda Thomas recommends that candidates ask clarifying questions. Saying something like, “Could you give me a framework under which you’d like me to respond about how I use AI? I can give you context regarding how I think AI would be an asset based on what your organization’s growth strategies are,” is one way to seek clarification, Thomas says.
For candidates who have not used AI in current or past roles, experts recommend consulting free online resources like AI courses on LinkedIn Learning and YouTube to develop a baseline understanding of the technology.
‘AI is a hot topic’: Use the interview to make sure your values align
Despite AI’s rapid integration into most workplaces, workers are divided on AI use. According to the ZipRecruiter survey, 52.6% of workers say AI integration at work has made their job more enjoyable, 17.6% say AI has had no impact on their work, 5.5% say they enjoy work less with AI use and 24.2% say their role does not use AI. At the same time, a quarter of workers say they want to leave their job due to AI-related concerns, with a third desiring less AI use at work.
While preparing for interviews, candidates should be ready to “interview the company, just as they’re interviewing you,” Thomas says. Job seekers should learn about what current employees say about the company and whether the culture and their AI policies align with their goals.
Many company executives share their thoughts on AI and industry trends online, which can help candidates anticipate what to expect on the job. Executives of major technology companies like Meta, OpenAI and Apple openly discuss AI with reporters, in company earnings calls and blogs. Small business executives also frequently post on LinkedIn about their work-related AI use.
Experts say candidates can and should ask about a company’s AI policies and protocols during the interview stage. “Ask questions that demonstrate how the company has used AI and how AI is engaged in terms of the company’s priorities and the company’s policies,” Dubler says. “If they can align on those pieces, then they should be in in good shape.”
AI is shaping how companies work and “a lot of workers are using that to fuel their expectations about what is next for them,” Bachaud says.
