In a rapidly evolving job market, jobseekers are turning to innovative solutions to gain a competitive edge.

According to the latest research from Adzuna, the smarter job search engine, AI is becoming increasingly popular among Gen Z, IT, and Healthcare workers for interview preparation.

Adzuna’s free AI interview coach tool, Prepper, has seen remarkable growth since its launch in June, amassing over 2,000 daily users in just 10 days.

Prepper, powered by recent advances in large language models (LLMs) and Adzuna’s proprietary data and expertise, assists jobseekers in preparing for job interviews across various industries in the UK and US. The tool generates interview questions based on the information from the job ad and coaches users on how to respond effectively, transforming the interview process for candidates.

The research reveals that IT professionals have shown the strongest inclination to use AI for interview preparation. Among the top 20 roles using Prepper, Software Engineers, Product Managers, Software Developers, Data Analysts, and Data Scientists dominate the list. The tech sector, facing a significant downturn, has witnessed a 41.3 percent year-on-year decrease in IT vacancies in the UK, driving jobseekers to seek an advantage through AI-powered tools.

AI can help with interviews

Additionally, Gen Z jobseekers, looking to secure entry-level and graduate positions, have demonstrated a keen interest in leveraging AI to compensate for their lack of interview experience. With around 44 graduates competing for each available opportunity in summer 2023, up from 36 graduates per role a year ago, AI-based interview preparation has become a valuable resource.

The Healthcare and Social Care sectors have also embraced AI for job search, with Care Assistants, Hospital Porters, and Healthcare Assistants among the top 20 roles using Prepper.

Prepper users have shown a preference for simulating interviews at prominent companies such as Amazon, NHS, Google, Civil Service, and PwC. By inputting the job title, description, and company name, users receive five interview questions most likely to be asked, allowing them to practice responses and receive detailed feedback and suggestions from Adzuna’s AI coach.

What about the hiring process?

James Neave, Head of Data Science at Adzuna, acknowledged the appeal of AI tools like Prepper in assisting jobseekers throughout the hiring process. He emphasised the benefits of using AI for interview preparation, not only to build candidates’ confidence but also to showcase their awareness of emerging generative AI technologies, which are shaping the workplace.

Moreover, the research provided insights into the global adoption of Generative AI, revealing significant increases in job vacancies for professionals with generative AI skills. The United States leads the pack, with 3,575 job openings requiring generative AI expertise in June 2023, up from 1,698 the previous year. Germany and the UK follow with 819 and 353 job vacancies, respectively.

The job market’s dynamic nature necessitates innovative strategies, and with the growing adoption of AI tools like Prepper, jobseekers are increasingly equipped to tackle interviews and secure coveted positions in today’s competitive landscape.

 

 

 

 

Amelia Brand
Amelia Brand

Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.