We provide competency-based behavioral interviewing training for interview teams including hiring managers, recruiters, and interviewers.

LEIF EVEREST • AUG 2024

Key Competencies for the AI-Enhanced Workplace

hiring manager considering interview training

Interviewers traditionally focus on verifying the skills and experience found on a candidate’s resume to make hiring decisions. However, as artificial intelligence begins to impact jobs functions, traditional qualifications will become less critical for job success. About 25% of U.S. workers have jobs that are likely to be assisted or replaced by AI, according to a Pew Research Center report. This number will only increase as AI continues to advance.

The future of hiring lies in identifying candidates with the right competencies to thrive in an evolving AI-enhanced workplace. Competencies, which encompass a candidate's inherent abilities and talents critical for success, are more predictive of future performance than traditional learned skills and experience found on a resume.

Evaluating Competencies for Job Success


Many interviewers settle for verifying learned skills and experience because it's objective and straightforward. But to stay ahead of the curve, you need to also assess key competencies. Competency-based behavioral interviewing training offers a powerful method for this. It focuses on a candidate’s past behavior as the best predictor of future performance, uncovering the "how" and "why" behind a candidate’s actions.

Identifying Competencies for Changing Industries


Understanding the right competencies needed for today’s evolving jobs are crucial. Here are examples of how AI can impact specific roles and some of the competencies interviewers should consider.

  • Financial Advisor. The competencies that will set top financial advisors apart in an AI-driven world include empathy and good judgment. Advisors must excel in empathy to build trust and provide personalized advice that AI alone cannot achieve. Sound judgment will be crucial as they navigate through the wealth of AI-generated data and analysis to make informed decisions and tailor strategies for each client's unique financial goals.

  • Lawyer. As AI automates areas such as legal research and document review, the competencies needed for successful lawyers in this evolving environment include critical thinking and problem-solving. Lawyers must excel in critical thinking to interpret and apply complex legal principles creatively, and be able to leverage AI-generated insights to craft compelling arguments. Adept problem-solving will be crucial for navigating legal challenges and devising innovative case strategies, especially as they integrate AI findings into their legal reasoning to address complex issues more effectively.

  • Manufacturing. With AI providing insights on output, resources, and quality control, some of the essential competencies for successful manufacturing supervisors include strong analytical skills and decision-making abilities. Supervisors must excel in analytical skills to interpret AI-generated data and translate it into actionable decisions that enhance productivity and efficiency. Effective decision-making will be crucial as they leverage AI insights to optimize resource allocation, improve quality control processes, and adapt to dynamic production demands.

  • Sales Representative. In a landscape where AI handles data analysis and customer profiling, some of the key competencies for successful sales candidates will be relationship-building and adaptability. Sales candidates must excel in building and maintaining strong client relationships through trust and personalized interactions. Adaptability will be crucial as they navigate the changing dynamics of customer needs and market conditions influenced by the impact of AI.

  • Software Engineer. As AI takes over the more tedious coding tasks, the competencies that will benefit successful software engineers will include conceptual thinking and collaboration. Engineers must excel in conceptual thinking to break down complex problems to guide AI-driven solutions. Effective collaboration will be crucial as they work closely with interdisciplinary teams, integrating diverse inputs and AI-driven insights.

Interviewing for the Future: Techniques and Strategies


To effectively identify and assess the key competencies for success, you need a systematic and objective hiring process. Implementing behavioral interviewing training is a great start and will ensure interviewers focus on the candidate’s past behavior to predict future success. However, standard behavioral interviewing questions can be predictable. Imagine asking, "Tell me about a time you collaborated with others.” With this type of leading behavioral interviewing question, candidates can easily tailor their answers to what the interviewer is asking for.

The key is to use more advanced competency-based behavioral interviewing techniques. These are conversational, friendly, and allow an interviewer to dig deeper. Think of them as tools to unearth a candidate's true potential, ensuring you hire the right fit for the AI-powered workplace.

Here is some guidance as you consider implementing more advanced competency-based behavioral interviewing training to help your organization make better hiring decisions.

  • Avoid Leading Questions. Don't rely on standard behavioral questions that prompt specific examples. This makes it easier for candidates to respond with prepared answers. Competencies that emerge naturally from the interview are more powerful and authentic than requested or prompted examples.

  • Seek Repeated Evidence. Seek repeated evidence of competencies that show a pattern of behavior. This is far stronger than a single example and becomes more effective as you cover multiple jobs and time periods.

  • Drill Down for Specific Details. When candidates claim results from what they did, ask for specific metrics and probe for details. To further verify the answer, inquire how a knowledgeable co-worker or manager would describe their success.

  • Ask What the Candidate Learned. It is important to understand what the candidate learned from past accomplishments. This reveals their capacity to grow in a job and helps confirm the authenticity of their answers.

Building a Resilient Team for the Future


As AI continues to reshape the job landscape, providing competency-based behavioral interviewing training gives your organization a strategic advantage. By focusing on the underlying talents and abilities that drive success, and employing advanced interviewing techniques, you can uncover the true potential of candidates and ensure they adapt to the ever-evolving demands of the AI-enhanced workplace. Embrace this approach to interviewing to build a resilient and forward-thinking team that will continue to thrive well into the future.

Top Reads

Ready To Discuss Interviewer Training?

Let's Talk!

More Resources

Manager Providing Interviewer Quick Tips

Interviewer's Quick Tips

Here are some quick tips from our interview training seminar to help you conduct a successful interview. We recommend that you complete the first three steps before the interview.

Learn More

Interviewer Making Mistakes

Can You Find the Interviewer's Ten Mistakes?

Most of us have experienced the interview from the candidate's perspective. But how often do we have an opportunity to evaluate the interviewer?

Learn More