How to use ChatGPT to prepare for a job interview in 2024? A comprehensive guide

In the past, before ChatGPT, you had to independently research the company and the hiring manager, contemplate various scenarios and your responses, and anticipate potential questions the interview panel might ask.

Despite your efforts, your preparation could still fall short, as relying solely on yourself might leave gaps or blind spots that an external perspective could address.

With ChatGPT, interview preparation has become more efficient and effective.

How ChatGPT can help with your interview?

ChatGPT and similar services can assist you in preparing for an interview by thoroughly covering almost every topic that might come up, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance your chances of success.

For instance, it can research company information and provide relevant data, explain the job description and hiring manager's expectations, and create a customized script for the position.

Think of it as an interview specialist, depending on how you utilize it.

After using ChatGPT, you will likely feel more confident and at ease going into the interview.

However, it's important to remember that ChatGPT is not infallible. It can sometimes provide incorrect or outdated information and cannot replace your presence in the interview.

You may also face competition from other candidates who have used ChatGPT and may be following similar guidance.

An interview is more than just about knowledge; interviewers look for creativity, clear thinking, composure under pressure, and a unique human touch.

Nevertheless, using ChatGPT to prepare for an interview can be a powerful tool in your favor.

Understanding ChatGPT

Think of ChatGPT as a 24/7 virtual assistant that answers your queries. You can ask it anything, and it will respond with an answer. It's an excellent tool for interview preparation.

What makes this virtual assistant special is its ability to understand natural language, similar to how humans communicate.

For instance, if you ask it to explain an Application Programming Interface (API) to a novice, it will provide an explanation suitable for a beginner.

If you request a detailed explanation worthy of a software engineer, it can provide a more complex response.

Where does it get its answers from? Imagine you're an avid reader of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. If someone asks you about *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, you could answer easily because you've read it multiple times.

Similarly, ChatGPT processes vast amounts of information from the internet regularly. Think of the internet as a book and ChatGPT as its reader.

Use it for relevant research, interpreting job descriptions from a hiring manager's perspective, and creating a script that closely mimics real interview questions and answers.

How can you use ChatGPT to prepare for an interview?

Utilizing AI for job interviews involves various aspects or approaches, and the more areas you address, the better prepared you'll be.

Prompting is key to getting the most out of ChatGPT, and it responds more effectively to certain types of prompts than others.

Researching the company and role

Instead of simply visiting the company's website, prompt ChatGPT to find the following information:

• What is the company's primary business?
• What are its revenue sources?
• What products or services does it offer, and who are its clients?
• How do its products or services address client pain points?

However, keep in mind that ChatGPT's dataset is limited to information from after 2021, so supplementing with additional research, such as through Google searches, can be beneficial. Other tools like Google Bard can also be useful for leveraging AI in interviews.

Once you have information about the company, consider exploring how your prospective role contributes to the business. You might use prompts like:

• How can my potential role contribute value to the company's business? Can you provide examples?
• What actions could I take if hired that would have a positive impact on the business?

Holding a ChatGPT interview

You likely have a copy of the job description, whether from the company's website, LinkedIn, or wherever you first saw the job advertisement.

However, your potential employer might expect you to think beyond what's stated in the job description. Copy and paste it into the ChatGPT window, and effectively conduct an interview with ChatGPT:

• What do you believe the employer expects from this role?
• Provide a list of suggestions for me to present myself as the strongest candidate based on the job description.

ChatGPT remembers the context of previous conversations. So, paste the text of your CV into the prompt window and try the following prompts:

• Check if my skills and experience align with your observations of the job description, and let me know if I’m a suitable candidate.
• Identify where I am a strong match, a partial match, or not a good fit for the position.
• Offer recommendations for improving in areas where I am only a partial or poor fit.
• If you're pressed for time, ask ChatGPT to suggest online resources that can provide a primary and quick overview of areas where you may need improvement.

The hiring panel doesn't expect you to know everything, but they are likely to appreciate the effort you've made to learn about areas where you may have gaps.

Create a question & answer script

Now is the time to develop a question-and-answer script. For this exercise, let's imagine you're applying for a job as an experienced UX designer.

ChatGPT can assist with interview preparation by suggesting questions that are commonly asked of experienced UX designers. You can use prompts like:

• What are the typical questions asked of experienced UX designers? Can you provide examples from various companies?
• Give me examples of well-thought-out responses to these questions that are likely to impress the hiring panel.

However, it's important not to memorize the answers or blindly follow the script. ChatGPT makes your preparation easier, but your role remains critical.

Review each response in context and consider whether you agree with the suggestions. Also, keep in mind that ChatGPT may not consider local country or company culture.

Using ChatGPT to prepare for job interviews

Technical interviews evaluate the skills needed for your job and problem-solving abilities.

For instance, if you're applying for a Java developer position, you can expect questions related to Java. Potential prompts for ChatGPT might include:

• Providing your experience level to set the context. For instance, you wouldn't want questions meant for a senior Java developer if you're an entry-level developer.
• What kinds of problems might an entry-level Java developer be asked to solve in an interview? Can you provide examples from actual interviews?

While ChatGPT may not always generate flawless code or adhere strictly to the prompt, it can serve as a helpful guide or a reliable code checker.

You can ask ChatGPT for numerous potential questions and their solutions, which can boost your confidence and preparation for technical interviews. Practicing these problems can enhance your ability to tackle such interviews effectively.

Reducing bias and addressing issues with ChatGPT

During interviews, you'll often be evaluated on how you would handle potential challenges in the workplace.

For instance, an interviewer might ask:

"You have an observation about the product that you discuss with the product owner. The product owner responds that your observations are not valid for certain reasons. How would you accept or handle this response?"

Your answer to such questions can reveal your personality and suitability for the job, which can significantly impact your candidacy.

For example, if the hiring manager perceives that you don’t handle criticism or pushback well, you might be seen as a poor fit regardless of your technical skills.

Alternatively, they might be looking for you to assertively – but not aggressively – stand up for your opinion rather than quickly deferring to others.

Therefore, it's important not to underestimate the significance of your non-technical responses, especially those related to situational scenarios and personality traits.

While ChatGPT can assist with interviews, it's crucial to remember that it's not infallible. Your response to the above question, for instance, could be: "I would seek to persuade the product owner of the validity of my observations despite their reservations, providing supporting evidence."

You can ask ChatGPT to analyze your response for bias, feedback acceptance, ability to handle contrarian opinions, and tone, and request it to provide a balanced response suitable for a corporate setting. While ChatGPT's input may not always be perfect, another perspective can sometimes be valuable.

Exploring and refining various strategies

Storytelling is a method that allows you to recount anecdotes or narratives that relate to your responses, enhancing your engagement with the interviewer.

For instance, you might be asked about a time when you trained new employees at a company or resolved a conflict with a customer or manager.

Share your story with ChatGPT! Then, ask it to:

• Rewrite the story for clarity, and possibly offer a few alternative versions.
• Adjust the tone to be more light-hearted or serious.
• Craft a sentence that connects your story to some of the qualities the company is seeking.

How can you address the constraints of ChatGPT?

Despite its remarkable capabilities, ChatGPT is not infallible. It's important not to blindly accept its outputs without verifying them yourself or discussing them with others.

Keep in mind that ChatGPT consumes vast amounts of data daily, making it susceptible to errors, bias, and prejudice. The data it processes is provided by humans, and ChatGPT does not verify its accuracy. There have been instances where ChatGPT's responses were inappropriate or insufficient. Additionally, its responses have been found to be biased and discriminatory in some cases. 

It's crucial to remember that ChatGPT often reflects the biases and content of its training data, which are based on human interactions and inputs.

Key tips for a successful interview

Prompting is crucial for effective interview preparation using ChatGPT. While trusting your instincts is key when responding to ChatGPT's interview questions, running ideas by ChatGPT can provide valuable insights.

In conclusion, ChatGPT can be a valuable asset in preparing for and succeeding in interviews, as many individuals have experienced. However, remember that ChatGPT is continually evolving, so it's important to approach its responses with a degree of caution, especially regarding subjective or potentially biased content.

Mastering the art of using ChatGPT for job interviews, including proper prompting, varying question phrasing, and engaging in role-playing scenarios, can significantly enhance your interview skills.