Do Candidates Actually Like AI Interviews?
The #1 concern companies have about AI recruitment is: "Will candidates hate talking to a robot?" We surveyed 500 candidates who went through AI-powered recruitment processes. The results may surprise you.
Survey Methodology
We surveyed candidates who completed AI recruitment processes (voice calls + video interviews) through TalentVox AI between September 2024 and January 2025. The sample included candidates for technical roles (62%), sales (18%), marketing (12%), and other roles (8%).
The Headlines
- **89%** said the AI interview was "good" or "excellent" overall
- **92%** preferred the fast turnaround (results in hours, not weeks)
- **76%** said the AI interview felt fair and professional
- **84%** would recommend AI interviews to other job seekers
- **67%** said it was better than their last human phone screen
What Candidates Loved
1. No Scheduling Hassles (94% positive)
"I got the interview link at 9 PM and completed it before bed. No scheduling, no calendar juggling, no waiting." — Software Engineer candidate
2. Consistent and Fair Questions (82% positive)
"Every question was relevant to the role. No random questions about my personal life or where I went to school." — Marketing Manager candidate
3. Instant Feedback (91% positive)
The biggest surprise: candidates overwhelmingly appreciated getting results quickly. In traditional hiring, candidates wait days or weeks hearing nothing. With AI, they know their status within hours.
4. No Ghosting (96% positive)
"Even when I didn't move forward, I got a clear response the same day. That NEVER happens with regular recruiting." — Data Analyst candidate
What Candidates Didn't Like
1. Lack of Rapport (34% concerned)
Some candidates missed the personal connection of a human conversation, especially for senior roles.
2. Technical Anxiety (22% concerned)
A small percentage were nervous about the technology — camera setup, internet connection, etc.
3. "Talking to a Screen" Feeling (18% concerned)
Some candidates felt awkward not getting real-time reactions, though this concern decreased for candidates who had done multiple AI interviews.
The Net Promoter Score
Overall NPS for AI recruitment: +72 (Excellent)
For comparison, the average NPS for traditional recruitment processes is -2 (Poor).
Key Takeaway for Recruiters
Candidates don't hate AI interviews — they hate slow, opaque, ghosting-heavy recruitment processes. AI fixes the things candidates actually complain about: speed, fairness, and communication. The data is clear: if you're worried about candidate experience, AI recruitment is actually the *improvement*, not the problem.
Try TalentVox AI — your candidates will thank you.