AI Changes the Job Search For Students

Will Trzaski | News-Editor

A person carefully fills out an employment application form, focusing on providing accurate and detailed information for potential job opportunities. / Photo by 'username', licensed by Envato.com.

As employers introduce automated screening and AI-powered interviews, students entering the workforce face new challenges in the hiring process.

Artificial Intelligence is changing how employers evaluate job applicants, introducing new technologies into a hiring process that college students have traditionally prepared for through résumés, cover letters and face-to-face interviews

For students preparing to graduate or pursue internships, the growing use of automated recruitment tools raises questions about how to navigate job applications and demonstrate their qualifications to prospective employers.

An Oct. 26 feature published by ECSU explores how emerging hiring technologies are affecting recent graduates. Among those featured was Savannah Striano ‘25, who encountered an unexpected experience during her first full-time job interview.

Rather than speaking with an interviewer, Striano entered into a virtual assessment consisting of a series of fast-moving minigames. The experience highlighted the differences between traditional interview preparation and newer methods of evaluating job applicants.

These changes extend beyond individual experiences. According to an Associated Press report published in May, employers are increasingly turning to AI to conduct preliminary interviews and manage large volumes of applications.

Some companies now use automated chatbots to communicate with candidates through telephone calls, text messages, or video interviews. These systems can ask preliminary questions and help recruiters identify applicants for further consideration.

For employers, automated recruitment offers a way to manage the volume of applications submitted through online job platforms. However, the growing use of these technologies also changes the experience for applicants who may be unfamiliar with automated interviews.

Students entering the workforce may encounter hiring processes that require different forms of preparation. Alongside researching employers and practicing common interview questions, applicants may need to become comfortable communicating through automated systems.

Eastern’s Office of Career Services provides students with interview preparation materials covering common questions about professional experience, academic backgrounds and career goals. Its interview guide encourages applicants to consider how their education has prepared them for employment and how their skills could benefit an organization.

While these traditional preparation methods remain relevant, emerging recruitment technologies introduce additional considerations. An automated screening process may provide fewer opportunities for spontaneous conversations or follow-up questions than a conventional interview with a recruiter.

The use of AI also presents challenges for employers. As applicants use AI tools to help prepare résumés and applications, companies must consider how to evaluate candidates’ actual qualifications and distinguish automated responses from individual experience.

The shifting recruitment landscape comes as universities are examining the broader implications of artificial intelligence and employment.

In September, Eastern announced its participation in the 2026-27 Institute on AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum, a national initiative organized by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The program focuses on helping higher education institutions address the opportunities and challenges AI presents for teaching and learning.

Although the initiative focuses on academic practices rather than recruitment, it reflects the growing importance of understanding artificial intelligence as students prepare for professional careers.

As employers continue experimenting with automated hiring systems, college students may increasingly encounter recruitment processes that differ from the traditional interviews they have practiced. Understanding these technologies could become another part of preparing for life after graduation.

Sources:

Eastern's 2026 news archive – AI and Your Job Hunt, Oct. 26

Associated Press – Your next job interview could be with an AI bot

Eastern Career Services – Interview Guide

Eastern joins national AI teaching initiative