With the job changes coming fast and furiously, it can be somewhat unsettling when navigating a career change. Keeping your eyes on the latest job interview trends can give you a better idea of what employers expect and what you, as the candidate, can expect going into interviews for your dream role. Here are some top trends from 2025 so far:
1. AI continues to elevate the hiring process:
Traditional in-person interviews are slowly decreasing as remote and flexible formats take over. Companies are embracing virtual hiring models to accommodate modern work expectations. For example, video interview platforms like Zoom, MS Teams, HireVue, and SparkHire enable companies to connect with candidates globally. You may also encounter asynchronous assessments, such as pre-recorded video responses that allow candidates to complete interviews at their convenience, speeding up the hiring process. Recruitment is evolving fast, and AI is at the heart of this transformation. In 2025 and beyond, AI recruiting tools will continue to automate manual tasks like resume screening and scheduling interviews, and they will improve candidate matching.
2. Emphasis on people skills and emotional intelligence:
In 2025, companies are prioritising emotional intelligence (EQ) as much as technical ability. Employers will incorporate behavioural questions designed to gauge how candidates handle stress, communicate, and collaborate. For example, expect questions like, “Describe a time you navigated a difficult team dynamic,” or “How do you approach constructive feedback?”
3. Continue to research the employer:
Research the company and the job well. You may not be chosen for a role if you have limited knowledge or a vague idea about the job role and what the company does. Get curious about the culture of the company, their services, the organisational structure, and where you might fit into the team. Read their strategic plan, learn more about their customers, and be interested in their vision. Otherwise, why would you be applying in the first place?
4. Practice your non-verbal cues:
Watch your body language. Recruiters do not favour candidates with unprofessional body language; this includes your smile, posture, handshake, etc. Eye contact is an important demonstration of confidence, and interviewees should aim to make eye contact with their interviewers between 60% to 70% of the time when they are speaking. This trend remains the same for video interviews. Make sure your web camera is in the best position, and you treat it like any normal face-to-face meeting.
5. Structured interviews:
Structured interviews, where all candidates are asked a set of predetermined questions, are frequently used for their fairness and effectiveness. These tend to be more prominent in government organisations; however, it is a proven method to assess competency levels in candidates. This approach also reduces unconscious bias and ensures that every candidate is assessed on the same criteria. Rather than focusing on qualifications alone, interviewers will ask behavioural and situational questions. These assess how candidates handle challenges, work under pressure, and align with the company’s values. The STAR or CAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or (Challenge, Action, Result) is highly recommended to answer these effectively. These take time to prepare before an interview and require thinking in a structured way. I always advise my clients to write out at least 6 STAR/CAR examples.
As interview techniques evolve, job seekers must stay adaptable, tech-savvy, and prepared to demonstrate their skills in new ways. Finally, if you need coaching assistance, interview coaching is available online.