The Pitfalls of Automated Interviews: Why Human Interaction is Still Essential

The Limitations of Automated Interviews

The Limitations of Automated Interviews

The use of automated interviews, also known as AI or virtual interviews, has become increasingly common in today's digital age. Given their ability to reduce costs and time to hire, more companies are using these systems to screen and select job candidates. However, it is important to keep in mind that automated interviews do have a few shortcomings that need to be understood when utilizing this new technology in your recruitment process.

In this blog, we will explore the limitations of automated interviews and why they should not be the only step in their recruitment process. We will also discuss how you can overcome these constraints through the addition of face-to-face interviews (in-person or virtually) to significantly increase your hiring success.

1. Lack of Personal Connection

Automated interviews lack the personal connection necessary for an effective interview. A traditional interview allows the interviewer to connect with the candidate on a personal level, which allows for a better understanding of the candidate's personality and work style.

However, with automated interviews, this personal connection is lost, which can lead to a poor understanding of the candidate's character, personality, and overall fit for the position and company culture. Without the benefit of nonverbal cues and social interaction identified during a face-to-face interview, it can be challenging to accurately assess a candidate's communication skills, attitude, and other essential soft skills for success in many roles.

2. Lack of Flexibility

For an interview to be comprehensive and impactful, it is crucial for it to be adaptable in terms of the questions posed, the interview's length, and the overall atmosphere, which enables both parties to adjust to the candidate's responses and steer the discussion towards a more profound level. With an automated interview, the candidate is limited to a predetermined set of questions and a predetermined time frame, which can lead to a poor candidate experience and leave the hiring party with questions.

While early on in your recruitment process saving time and money through automated interviews may make sense to get to a narrower pool of applicants, it will be important to have the added flexibility a face-to-face provides. It is vital to find a balance between the two in order to stay relevant and adapt to the future of hiring.

3. Impersonal Experience

Automated interviews can feel impersonal and robotic, which can lead to a poor candidate experience –– something that can significantly impact your company’s brand. Candidates may feel like they are talking to a machine, rather than a human, which can result in a lack of engagement and enthusiasm. This impersonal experience can also damage the company's reputation, as candidates may share their negative experiences with others.

Related: How To Build Trust With Your Top Candidates

4. Biased Selection

While technology has been said to help fight human biases, automated interviews can still have biases toward certain types of candidates. The system may have biases towards certain demographics, such as age, race, or gender, which can lead to unfair and discriminatory hiring practices. Even though they are often unintentional, they can still have a significant impact on the candidate selection process.

5. Technical Glitches

Technical glitches are one of the main causes of poor candidate experiences, as they often occur in automated or even virtual interviews. These technical glitches can range from poor audio quality to system crashes, which can cause candidates to become frustrated and lose interest in the position. In some cases, technical issues can also result in the loss of potentially good candidates, who may not be able to complete the interview process due to system errors.

If you incorporate technology into your hiring process, it is important to ensure all systems and processes are thoroughly tested before implementing them. It is also essential to provide support and training for both recruiters and candidates to guarantee that they can navigate the technology effectively and without issue. Taking these steps can not only improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your hiring process but also help to create a positive candidate experience and promote your company's reputation as a tech-savvy and forward-thinking organization.

6. Inability to Gauge Non-Verbal Cues

Automated interviews cannot gauge non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, that come out in a live interaction. These cues can be critical in understanding a candidate's level of interest, confidence, and honesty. With an automated interview, it is difficult to gauge these cues due to the impersonal method and practiced responses, which can lead to a poor understanding of the candidate's suitability for the job.

7. Limited Scope of Questions

Many automated interviews lack a broad scope of questions, therefore limiting their ability to identify the candidate's qualifications and experience. These questions are often predetermined and do not allow for a targeted follow-up to a candidate’s answer, which can result in a lack of understanding of the candidate's capabilities and accomplishments. This limitation can be especially problematic for complex roles that require in-depth knowledge and expertise, where a more comprehensive understanding of the candidate's competence is essential.

Streamline Hiring with an Executive Search Partner

While automated interviews may seem like a time-saving and efficient method for companies to screen and select job candidates, there are negative aspects of this technology that companies should carefully consider before deciding to rely solely on automated interviews for their candidate selection process.

Here at Kinsley Sarn, we have created a proprietary process to source talent and assess their qualifications holistically –– resulting in well-rounded candidates with the perfect blend of skills, experiences, and passion. Our future-forward mentality allows us to implement the latest strategies and gives our partners the upper hand when searching for top-tier executive talent.

If you would like to learn more about how our process works and the benefits it can provide your organization, do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to discussing how we can assist you with your hiring needs.

Other Blogs You May Like

Actionable insights, market trends, and strategic thinking from our team of search and assessment experts.

How to benchmark leadership talent before you hire: a framework for private equity

9/22/2025

No items found.
Read More
How Successful Leaders Stay Flexible and Focused

No items found.
Read More
Overcoming Leadership Challenges in a Hybrid Work Environment

No items found.
Read More
The Journey to Leading with Intention

No items found.
Read More
Creating Followership: The Power of Relationship-Driven Leadership

No items found.
Read More
Reinventing Employee Experience: A Strategic Advantage in Executive Search

No items found.
Read More
Transforming Talent Acquisition: The Power of Skill-Based Hiring Strategies

No items found.
Read More
The Future of Executive Search: Key Trends to Watch in 2025

No items found.
Read More
Navigating Leadership Transitions: Ensuring Continuity During C-Suite Turnover

No items found.
Read More
How to Maximize Artificial Intelligence's Potential for Your Organization

No items found.
Read More
The Quiet Edge: Exploring Unique Leadership Styles

No items found.
Read More
Strategic Growth Strategies for Executive Leadership

No items found.
Read More
The Power of Organizational Culture in the Workplace

No items found.
Read More
Maximizing the Power of Reverse Mentoring in Modern Organizations

No items found.
Read More
Leadership Insights: Conquering the Imposter Within

No items found.
Read More
Reframing the Way We Think About Conflict

No items found.
Read More
Gen Z In The Workplace: A Guide to Recruiting a Multigenerational Workforce

No items found.
Read More
8 Expert Tips for Recruiting Executive Team Members

No items found.
Read More
Elevate Your Team: 7 Key Recruitment Trends in 2024

No items found.
Read More
Beyond Traditional Recruitment: Deriving Greater Value from Your Interview Process

No items found.
Read More
Stop Playing it Safe with Your Talent Recruitment

No items found.
Read More
Beyond the Resume: Evaluating Short Tenure in Potential Hires

No items found.
Read More
Unprepared and Unqualified: The Consequences of Leaders Who Aren't Ready to Lead

No items found.
Read More
Overcoming the Negative Effects of Remote Work on Innovation and Creativity

No items found.
Read More
Maximizing Efficiency: The Importance of Workforce Planning in Business

No items found.
Read More
Unlocking the Power of Executive Mentorship

No items found.
Read More
The Future of Hiring Lies in Internal Mobility

No items found.
Read More
The Benefits and Drawbacks of a Short-term Executive Hire

No items found.
Read More
The Onboarding Process for Executives

No items found.
Read More
Future of Work: Unstructured Workdays and Work-Life Balance

No items found.
Read More
Top Etiquette Rules for Better Working Relationships

No items found.
Read More
Are Your Employees "Quiet Quitting"?

No items found.
Read More
Key Strategies to Retain Talent in Any Market

No items found.
Read More
The Treasure of True Grit

No items found.
Read More
Business Insights: Our Words Matter

No items found.
Read More
Business Insights: Turning the Grind into the Goal

No items found.
Read More
Leadership Insights: Become the Diamond

No items found.
Read More
Effective 'Stay Conversation' Strategies to Reduce Employee Turnover

No items found.
Read More
The Future of Leadership: An Era of Authenticity

No items found.
Read More
Hiring Insights: Who Thanks Whom?

No items found.
Read More
The Leaders of Tomorrow: How to Develop Your Employees to Make an Impact in Your Organization

No items found.
Read More
5 Strategies to Win Over Your Top Candidates

No items found.
Read More
How To Effectively Manage Hybrid Teams

No items found.
Read More
Hiring in a Candidate Driven Market

No items found.
Read More
What Are The Steps of the Executive Search Process?

No items found.
Read More
The HR Guide To Executive Outplacement

No items found.
Read More
Hiring Critical Talent in Manufacturing

No items found.
Read More
Executive Search to Find Key Leaders in the Technology Sector

No items found.
Read More
Is Online Job Posting Enough To Find The Best Candidate?

No items found.
Read More
7 Qualities to Identify Exceptional Candidates in an Interview

No items found.
Read More
Employer Branding: Telling Your Company Story to Attract Talent

No items found.
Read More
Taking DEI to the Next Level in Your Company Culture

No items found.
Read More
How to Help Your Employees Achieve Flow in Their Work

No items found.
Read More
Are Your Employees Burnt Out? 7 Signs of Workplace Burnout

No items found.
Read More
Workplace Wellness: Promoting Mental Health Initiatives in Your Organization

No items found.
Read More
Talent Isn’t Getting Harder To Find, You Just Have To Know Where To Look

No items found.
Read More
7 Hiring and Executive Recruitment Trends for 2021

No items found.
Read More
How To Build Trust With Your Top Candidates

No items found.
Read More
Embracing the New Reality of Talent Assessment

No items found.
Read More
How An Executive Search Partner Impacts Your Bottom Line

No items found.
Read More
How Company Culture Promotes Employee Engagement

No items found.
Read More
Dig Deeper With Experiential Interviews

No items found.
Read More
Crafting an Engaging Candidate Profile

No items found.
Read More
Leading Through Uncertainty and Fear

No items found.
Read More
How to Successfully Onboard a New Executive

No items found.
Read More
Why A Healthy Workplace Is Vital To Employee Success

No items found.
Read More
9 Ways to Cultivate a Positive Workplace Culture

No items found.
Read More
The Value Different Generations Bring To The Workplace

No items found.
Read More
Women Reentering The Workforce: An Undervalued Talent Pool

No items found.
Read More
The Ripple Effects of an Uprooted Executive Hire

No items found.
Read More
Success Indicators: Candidate Qualities That Equate To A Successful Executive Hire

No items found.
Read More
How Executive Search Takes AI To The Next Level

No items found.
Read More
The Missing Piece in Executive Search

No items found.
Read More
5 Top Resume Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

No items found.
Read More
The Value of HR as a Strategic Partner

No items found.
Read More
Gaining an Advantage in the War for Talent

No items found.
Read More
Holding Executive Recruiters To A Higher Standard

No items found.
Read More
Executive Search: A Valuable Partnership

No items found.
Read More
The Negative Impact of Dysfunctional Leaders

No items found.
Read More
Why the Right Process Matters More Than Industry Expertise in Executive Search

Sarah Davis

10/5/2023

No items found.
Read More
What partners should know before partnering with a search firm

Michael Brown

10/4/2023

No items found.
Read More
CMS vs Static Websites: A Comparison

Emily Johnson

10/3/2023

No items found.
Read More
The Benefits of Using a CMS

Jane Smith

10/2/2023

No items found.
Read More
Understanding Content Management Systems

John Doe

10/1/2023

No items found.
Read More

Let’s Build the Team
You Deserve

Start a conversation with our search specialists. No fluff. No jargon. Just clear, experienced guidance.