With so many careers being downsized or even becoming obsolete in the digital age, more people than ever are looking to pivot to stay afloat. Then there are those who are looking to switch from their humdrum career to one that they’re truly passionate about. When switching to a different role or sector, there are lots of things to take into account - and these things can quickly feel overwhelming and, at times, insurmountable.
Changing your professional path involves not just a new job but an entire
rebrand of your work persona if you’re going to have any hope of competing with those already experienced within that industry. For most people in this situation, the biggest fear is that moment when you’re sitting across a desk from someone who wants to know why you feel qualified for the job - and this is where interview co-pilots come in.
What Is An Interview Copilot?
Don’t be alarmed - we’re not talking about taking a friend or your mum to the interview with you (because that would just be weird) but tapping into tech to guide you through your interview. An co-pilot is an AI tool that
listens in on your interview in real time and analyses questions in order to offer smart responses. A kind of live assistant which is invisible to the interviewer, this clever bit of kit can guide you through your interaction and allow you to answer more confidently - even when you’re not entirely familiar with the role or industry.
This groundbreaking technology can be invaluable for those looking to step out of their comfort zone and into new territory; for example, making the switch from fashion to finance or teaching to technology. In this article, we’re going to be shining a spotlight on this new employment tool to find out how it works and how it can lend a helping hand when transitioning to a new career.
Changing lanes without hitting a roadblock
So, you’ve decided that you’re done with delivery driving and want to get your teeth into a new job as a developer - certainly not impossible but you’re going to need more than a few new skills. Making this kind of change also involves convincing others that you’re up to the job - and doing so with confidence.
An interview copilot can help before and during the discussion process by showing you how to reframe your experience and tell your story in a way which will resonate with hiring managers in your chosen new field. It can also help you to translate any tricky jargon that you might not yet be completely familiar with.
How does it work?
I know what you’re thinking - this stuff is going to be really techy and complicated, right? Wrong. In reality, most of these programs connect quickly and easily to your microphone and monitor (or laptop or phone) during a live remote interview, via a separate tab or device. Your AI-driven pal will then:
- Listen to and analyze the questions you’re being asked in real time
- Offer suggestions on response phrasing and structure
- Offer relevant talking points
- Scan your previous experience to find matches and overlaps
- Provide reminders of your key achievements and experience (for those tricky “have you had to handle this situation in the past?” questions
Some of these programs work kind of like the teleprompters that TV presenters use in that they will continuously adapt to display helpful cues on your screen to prompt you (don’t worry, the interviewer(s) won’t be able to see these) so there won’t be any “well this is awkward” moments.
Why An AI Wingman Is The Way Forward
So, we’ve given you an idea of the nuts and bolts of this tech but can it really help you to get the job? Absolutely!
In this section, we’re going to dive deeper into how interview co-pilots can do just that:
1. Translating your transferable skills
One of the biggest hurdles when changing fields is identifying which of
your transferable skills are relevant to your new aspirations. This technology helps here by mapping out your current skill set and then comparing it to the expectations of hiring managers in the new industry. For example; in your current role as a delivery driver your skills will include coordination, time-management and problem solving - which could be a perfect match to that new project coordinator role.
2. Cracking the confidence code in real time
When dipping your toe into new and unfamiliar waters, there’s a good chance that you’re going to feel like a bit of an imposter; convinced that you’re going to get caught out at the first question. Self-doubt is natural in any job-seeking situation but can be more intense when making a switch between sectors. These programs are created to help you to stay focused on your goal, guide you through tricky questions and offer reassurance at every stage of the process.
Your answers - but better
Job interviews are rarely fun and most of us have experienced brain-freeze at the absolute worst time.
Interview co-pilots can help you to keep things moving if you go blank or lose your thread by suggesting ways of reframing your response and redirecting it toward your strengths.
4. Staying structured and on-topic
Ever been caught off guard by a question that you can’t answer and then over-compensated by going into a rambling irrelevant monologue? We’ve all been there. Even the most confident candidate can suffer the odd attack of nerves which, worst case scenario, may scupper their chances. Attending your
interview with ai by your side is a great way of keeping your responses structured and aligned with what the recruiter wants to hear.
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5. Conquering coding Interviews
If you’re looking to switch to a coding role it may be that you have the basic knowledge but not the on-the-job experience. What you need here is an AI wingman that will stay beside you every step of the way to help you to understand questions and offer hints for tackling algorithm-based problems in real time. This allows you to respond with structure and logic without long hesitations that might give away your lack of experience.
Example: Teacher switching to tech
Let’s say you’re a school teacher trying to move into a UX design role. During an interview, your AI assistant will steer you in the right direction by prompting you to:
- Emphasize your experience with a user-focused case example - e.g, maybe you collected student feedback to improve your content; which is very similar to user research
- Highlight any certifications or side projects you’ve completed in the design field
To clarify, you’re not pretending to be a UX designer or claiming experience or skills that you don’t have. This is more about highlighting the skills and experience that you hold which overlap both industries.
Onto the mobile and under the radar
Most modern interview co-pilots are compatible with all the usual devices, including mobile phones, making them perfect for interviews on Zoom, Teams, Google Meets or just straight phone video calls.
When we talk about this technology, the first question for most people is “will I get caught?” The answer to that is a resounding no - these programs produce no audio and they won’t show up on any screen shares or screenshots during your meeting - making them the perfect discreet interview companion.
Can-do confidence before, during and after your interview
We’ve talked about the benefits of this tech during a live meeting but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Many of these platforms have other really useful features which can help you to tweak your resume and nail the perfect cover letter. Some will even offer practice sessions targeted toward your dream job so that when you get that call, you’re prepped and ready. All of these things can make all the difference when it comes to convincing hirers that you’re the right guy or gal for the job.
Is It Right For Me?
I know what you’re thinking - it all sounds just a teeny weeny bit like cheating, right? Not at all. The fact is that most savvy candidates now seek some form of assistance to give them an edge in the job market and this is no different than hiring a career coach or mentor. This is simply a tool that will help you to come across as your best self by bigging up your transferable skills and showing recruiters what you can bring to the table.
Final Thoughts
We spend a pretty big chunk of our lives working and so following your dreams is essential; even if it means making some big changes. While switching sectors can be scary, it can also open up a myriad of new opportunities - and interview co-pilots can provide the leg up that you need to get your foot in the door.
If you’re ready to show your new sector what you’re made of, your AI pal will be right there with you, helping you to get ahead with confidence.
