Preparing for an interview often involves a strange mix of overthinking and guesswork. You rehearse answers in your head, try to predict what a hiring manager might ask, and then hope your carefully crafted answers survive contact with reality. ChatGPT and other AI chatbots could be the solution to help you land your dream job, according to a popular new trend.
I asked ChatGPT to interview me for a job and give me feedback. Structured, immediate criticism has obvious appeal over guessing what an interviewer might think. And since a job interview is very similar to putting on a show, I chose a theatrical role, a stage magician. It's not a career known for sit-down job interviews, but an audition is an audition.
Article continues below.
Magic interview
ChatGPT set an appropriately grand tone to start the conversation.
“Welcome. We are looking for an artist who can captivate audiences of all cultures and age groups. Tell us, what makes your magic unforgettable rather than simply impressive?”
I responded with what I thought was a decent mix of sincerity and showmanship. I wrote with the desire to tell a story and create a sense of wonder that lasts after the show, leaning into the idea that magic is less about deception and more about emotional resonance, which feels like the kind of thing a magician might say.
ChatGPT's comments were as pointed as any sword I could put in a box containing my assistant.
“Strong conceptual framework. You emphasize emotional impact over technical skill, which aligns with modern acting theory. However, your answer lacks a concrete example. Consider describing a specific illusion or moment where audience response demonstrated this philosophy in action. Score: 78 out of 100.”
I tried again, adding a story about a performance where a simple coin trick turned into a narrative about wasted time, and was told it was better, but ChatGPT quickly moved on to a new question.
“You're performing live and a trick fails in front of a large audience. What do you do at that moment?”
I wrote about making failure part of the act, acknowledging it with humor, and redirecting the audience's attention. ChatGPT was not entirely convinced.
“Your response shows awareness of stage presence and audience management. However, what distinguishes your approach from that of other artists? Score: 72 out of 100.”
I adjusted my answer, describing a deliberate escalation in which the failed trick becomes a recurring motif throughout the performance, and is eventually resolved in a way that reframes the previous mistake as intentional. The feedback changed accordingly.
“Improved. You now demonstrate a unique performance strategy that transforms failure into a narrative structure. Score: 88 out of 100.”
Seal of approval
By the time we got to the final question, the tone had shifted from evaluation to something closer to endorsement.
“Why should we choose you as the next global face of stage magic?”
I tried to put together everything I had written and it seemed like I understood the AI's comments.
“This is a compelling synthesis of your previous answers. It demonstrates a coherent philosophy, practical awareness, and distinctive identity. To elevate this even further, consider adjusting your language for greater impact. Score: 90 out of 100.”
Specific, improvement-focused feedback may not seem like much, but believe me when I say that real interviews rarely offer feedback. You usually have to piece together what worked and what didn't on your own.
There are limits, of course. ChatGPT is no substitute for the unpredictability of a real human conversation. It does not pick up subtle cues or changes in tone. But it offers something more controlled and more useful.
I may never be a stage magician, but I feel like I could at least impress the interviewers before I have to disappear.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
The best business laptops for every budget
