Voice AI interviews — what candidates actually think

Voice AI interviews are polarising — at least in the LinkedIn discourse. But what do candidates who have actually completed one think?

The surprising finding: most prefer it to phone screens

62% of respondents said they preferred the AI interview to a traditional recruiter phone screen. The top reasons:

1. No scheduling friction. Complete it at midnight in pyjamas if you want.
2. Consistent questions. Everyone gets the same interview, which feels fairer.
3. Less performative small talk. Introverts rated the experience particularly highly.

Where it falls short

The remaining 38% had valid concerns:

• Lack of rapport. You cannot read the room or ask the interviewer a clarifying question.
• Technical glitches. 12% experienced audio issues that disrupted their flow.
• Uncertainty about evaluation. Not knowing what the AI is measuring creates anxiety.

What improves the experience

Candidates rated their experience significantly higher when the employer:

• Sent a clear prep email explaining the format, duration, and what would be assessed
• Allowed a practice question before the scored interview began
• Followed up within 48 hours with next steps — not a generic "we will be in touch"

The bottom line

Voice AI interviews are not universally loved, but they are accepted by a clear majority when employers invest in the candidate experience around them. The technology is not the problem — the implementation is.