If you’re lucky, you haven’t had to tread the creaky old boards of the interview stage too often. So when the time comes around again, things will most likely have changed.. it’s the jobs market we’re talking about here.. the fragile, fickle world of recruitment and its crafty ways 😕
The way organisations find and assess talent is evolving, and if you’ve got an interview coming up soon, you may be feeling a little out of the loop.
If so, take a walk with me. Let me show you what’s new and how the interview landscape is changing. Knowledge is power, right..? So here’s what’s going down, to give you the edge when you step back into that arena.
Before we start.. the good news is, whilst the tools and formats might shift, the core principles of engaging with your interviewer, aligning yourself to the role, and knowing how to show your value remains.. phew..
But let’s have a sneak peek into the top three interview trends shaping the hiring world this year.
1. The Rise of AI: Your first impression will probably be assessed by a Cyborg
AI in recruitment is alive and kicking. In 2025, you’re more likely than ever to encounter Artificial Intelligence and automation at various stages of the recruiting process, often before a human even lays eye on your CV or application.
Where do these ‘cyborgs’ crop up?
- Screening: AI-powered tools are now widely used to scan CV’s and applications, looking for your keywords, skills, and experience that most closely match job requirements. In fact, over 87% of companies are now using AI-driven tools in recruitment, with 65% of recruiters already implementing AI (Demand Sage, 2025; QUIL, 2025)
- Chatbots and Automated Questions: Don’t be surprised if your first ‘conversation’ is with a chatbot (for initial questions). or some AI tech which helps you schedule your interview. There are loads of tools now which streamline the recruiting process. A study by The Allegis Group indicated that 58% of job seekers are comfortable interacting with AI chatbots during the application process (Recruiterflow, 2025). (Still means that almost half aren’t..😕 ).
- Video Interview : Some organisations are using AI to analyse your pre-recorded video interviews, assessing everything from your tone of voice to your facial expressions and keyword usage. What is comforting is that less than 1% of hiring managers rely on AI for the final hiring decision. but 43% of large companies are using some form of AI to interview candidates (StandOut CV, 2025; Hirebee.ai, 2025).
What does all this mean for you?
Your digital footprint (how you present yourself or come across online) is now more crucial than ever. When interacting with automated systems or recording one way video responses, the same rules still apply around alignment with the role and your relevant skills and strengths. Are you saying what your linkedin profile reflects? Google yourself – what comes up – is it the diligent, conscientious person your applications suggests? Or is there a slew of pics from your last 3 nights out? AI can sift out contradictions or blagging in the blink of an eye 👀
❗️Just because it’s a chat bot, or a one way recorded interview, the assessment of you, your value, and your character is still at play. Treat AI and chat bots the same way as a real person as much as you can.
2. Soft Skills Take Centre Stage: Beyond the Technical
For years, your technical/hard skills and qualifications were seen as the golden ticket and to some extent are still touted as the be all and end all of whether you are a good match for the role.
And whilst they will still play an important part in opening the door, 2025 is unequivocally the year where soft skills are stealing the spotlight. So if you are relying heavily on your qualifications or your experience, you may need to work a little harder.
Employers are looking for evidence of your character, for example, your ability to collaborate, communicate, adapt, and problem solve.. they know it’s this that can drive success in the work place, not just the degree you got from Uni.
How important are your soft skills?
- Critical for Success: Research highlights that 93% of employers say soft skills are a crucial factor in hiring decisions (QJumpers, 2025). A Forbes study even found that 89% of hiring failures are due to a lack of soft skills, not technical competence (ProSource Staffing, 2025).
- In-Demand Abilities: The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies analytical thinking, innovation, communication, teamwork, resilience, flexibility, stress tolerance, and active learning as increasingly vital skills (WEF, 2025; Reading Careers Blog, 2025)
- Assessing the ‘How’: Interviewers will continue to use behavioural and situational questions to uncover how you’ve demonstrated these skills in past roles. But they don’t want to just hear you tell them what you achieve, but ‘how’ you do things.
3. The Digital Handshake: Remote Interviews
We’ve largely moved past the emergency pivot to remote work, now the hybrid model is firmly established and with it the evolution of how we meet our interviewer.
Virtual interviews are certainly here to stay.
How do we know?
- Persistence of Virtual: Virtual interviews offer benefits like reduced costs and a wider talent pool, and they are expected to remain a major part of the hiring process in 2025 (Temporary Staffing Professionals, 2025)
- Evolving Formats: Beyond simple video calls, companies are embracing structured virtual panels, pre-recorded candidate pitches, and even job simulations conducted remotely (PE Global, 2025). This allows them to assess digital dexterity, self-motivation, and effective remote collaboration
- Clearer Expectations: Employers are becoming more transparent about hybrid work expectations, including in-office days, flexible hours, and communication protocols (PE Global, 2025).
Final thoughts..
The interview landscape in 2025 is whatever the employer needs it to be. You may be invited to any of a range of interview types; in person, remote, over phone or video, one way interviews or chat bots.
I hope that offering a little insight into some of these key trends, such as the increasing role of AI, the importance of soft skills, and the continued use of virtual and hybrid interview formats, can help you approach your application better informed and ready for whatever gets thrown your way.
❗️ Also, be ready to talk about your experience of working remotely, show you are willing and able to work effectively in the digital world.
Interview wise, there’s no doubt about it, you must get comfortable with adapting your approach to all kinds of digital and remote interviews, but make sure you always leave room for your authentic, capable self to shine through.
It’s certainly a minefield out there, if you’re feeling the interview preparation overwhelm, my free mini video guide shares the 3 deal breaker interview mistakes that can cost you the job offer, watch it now 👇
I’m Zoe, Master Career Coach and Interview Specialist at WorkClever Careers. I coach to create success in the job search space, and I love to teach people how to interview really well, so they can get offers for the jobs they really want. I share knowledge and guidance through coaching and digital courses, and lots of freebie tips & hacks, all designed to give you real-world, transformative support so you can get the job you deserve.
