AI takes job interview: Noida techie's job hunt lands her in front of robot recruiter. What happened next?

Radhika Sharma, a Noida-based product manager, recently experienced an AI-powered job interview while applying to a SaaS firm. The interview, conducted entirely by a voice-based AI, assessed not just her technical skills but also her posture, eye contact, and clothing. While she appreciated the instant and detailed feedback—something traditional interviews often lack—she found the process impersonal and one-sided, with no chance to clarify responses.
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In a sign of how hiring processes are evolving, a Noida-based product manager recently found herself being assessed not by a human panel, but by an AI-powered robot interviewer. Radhika Sharma, a seasoned tech professional with nearly a decade of experience, shared her unique experience with Business Insider about the virtual screening system that not only measured her skills—but also critiqued her wardrobe.Radhika, who began her career in 2015 and most recently worked at Successive Digital as a product manager, had taken a break in early 2025 to spend time with her young daughter. When she resumed her job search just two months later, she applied for a role at a SaaS firm and was invited to participate in an AI-based screening interview—something she had never experienced before.The email she received made it clear: the interview would be conducted by artificial intelligence , evaluating her product management expertise through a structured set of questions. What she didn't anticipate was how closely the AI would scrutinize everything—from her eye contact to the formality of her attire.The process began with a link to an interview interface that outlined several rules. Radhika was instructed to ensure she was in a quiet, private space, avoid switching browser tabs, and allow screen sharing so the AI could monitor her behavior. Once she agreed, the interview began—with a timer counting down from 20 minutes and a voice-driven prompt firing off technical questions.Questions were direct and domain-specific, asking her about product roadmap planning and handling conflicting priorities—standard fare for someone with her background, which includes roles at Dentsu and Infosys What stood out most was the detailed evaluation she received immediately after finishing. The AI rated her performance across multiple criteria including technical knowledge, engagement level, facial expressions, and posture. Surprisingly, it also gave her a low score for her outfit—she had not anticipated the need to wear a collared shirt for a virtual session.She performed well on the technical front, but her 'occasional' eye contact and casual attire were flagged. Radhika acknowledged that the feedback was surprisingly accurate and helped her identify specific areas of improvement—something that traditional interviews rarely offer in real time.While she appreciated the instant feedback, Radhika noted a key limitation: the lack of interaction. The AI interview was unidirectional, leaving her unable to clarify questions or offer context from past experiences. She felt this reduced her ability to fully demonstrate her capabilities.The next stage of the hiring process involved a human interview, but Radhika opted not to pursue the opportunity further. However, she's applying the insights from her AI interview to better prepare for future roles.Radhika holds a B.Tech from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and a Master's degree in Marketing Management from IMI, New Delhi. A founder of the IMAC Club during her post-graduate years, she has continuously expanded her skillset, with certifications in Generative AI and Machine Learning from institutions like DeepLearning.AI and IIT Delhi.Reflecting on her encounter, Radhika emphasized the need for candidates to understand how AI systems assess them. While humans may interpret behavior subjectively, AI works within defined parameters—meaning every gesture, glance, or tone is being measured. Her advice? 'Be prepared, be real, and, per my experience, dress well.'

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