Zapier’s Approach to Using AI During the Interview Process
AI plays a role across many facets of Zapier’s business — including the hiring process.
The company expects and encourages job applicants to leverage AI tools while interviewing for a role, as long as they do so transparently and responsibly.
According to Anita Chandrasekhar, senior manager of talent strategy and operations, it’s not necessary for job applicants to be AI experts. However, a curiosity surrounding the technology will get them far and showcase their eagerness to explore new ideas and approaches.
Zapier employees build and use automation every day to accomplish their work more effectively, and it’s important for job applicants to have a solid understanding of how to reap the benefits of AI. That’s why the company put together a guide that details how applicants should collaborate with AI throughout the interview process.
The goal is simple: Give every job applicant an equal chance to ace the interview process — and thrive in their role at Zapier.
Below, Chandrasekhar shares insight into the use of AI during the interview process at Zapier and the company’s hiring process as a whole.
About Zapier
Zapier’s AI orchestration platform is designed to enable companies to automate advanced workflows and build AI agents and chatbots.
On Zapier’s approach to AI usage:
We include questions about AI in our application process because we view AI fluency as an increasingly important skill for the future of work. This does not require candidates to be experts; rather, we are interested in how they are experimenting with AI, whether in their day-to-day work, personal projects, or simply exploring what is possible.
“We encourage the use of AI by asking about it in our application process, as we believe AI fluency is becoming a must-have skill for the future of work.”
Zapier’s Tips For Using AI During the Interview Process
Zapier wants its current team members and future new hires to use AI as a collaborator, not a creator. These tips show the company’s attitudes toward using AI to improve efficiency while embracing authenticity:
- When Applying: Use AI to guide your work descriptions, improve your clarity or organize your resume. An example prompt: “Help me rewrite this bullet to show measurable results.”
- Take-Home or Skills Assessment: Unless otherwise noted, use AI to brainstorm, outline ideas or proofread. An example prompt: “Give me feedback on whether my reasoning is clear and easy to follow.”
- Preparing for Interviews: Use AI to research Zapier’s mission, products and team culture. It can also be used to research automation trends and practice sharing stories and responses. An example prompt: “Summarize Zapier’s mission and how automation impacts recruiting.”
What it’s like recruiting at Zapier:
“As an organization that truly loves its people and takes care of its people, I feel like we are that first step to bringing the right people to the right jobs. Seeing them thrive and grow and stay on in the roles, and then meeting them at company summits and just knowing that you were part of bringing this person to this company is such a great feeling.”
How Zapier's Recruiting Team Uses AI
- Drafting and refining job descriptions
- Piloting optional agentic recruiter screenings to enable candidates to share more details about their experience, which are always reviewed by a human
- Summarizing interview transcripts
- Creating candidate communications
- Spotting patterns in recruiting metrics and workflows
On Anita Chandrasekhar’s personal experience with Zapier’s interview process:
What I loved about my interview process with Zapier four years ago was how many different people I was able to meet in each conversation. Many companies say they value diversity and inclusion, but it really comes to life when you look around the virtual room and see teammates from different countries, backgrounds, and career paths. That mix of voices immediately put me at ease. I remember thinking that if all of these different people can grow and belong here, then there is a place for me too, and that made saying yes to the offer feel natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it acceptable to use AI tools during the interview process at Zapier?
Yes. Zapier expects and encourages candidates to use AI during the interview process, as long as it’s used transparently and responsibly.
Do candidates need to be AI experts to get hired at Zapier?
No. Zapier does not require candidates to be AI experts, but it values curiosity about AI and a willingness to explore how the technology can be used effectively.
How does Zapier recommend using AI during applications and interviews?
Zapier recommends using AI to improve clarity, organize resumes, brainstorm ideas, proofread work, research the company and practice interview responses — while ensuring the candidate’s thinking and voice remain authentic.
Why does Zapier care about AI fluency in candidates?
Zapier views AI fluency as an increasingly important skill for the future of work, especially in a company where employees build and use automation and AI agents every day.
How does Zapier’s recruiting team use AI internally?
Zapier’s recruiting team uses AI to draft and refine job descriptions, summarize interview transcripts, create candidate communications, spot patterns in recruiting workflows and pilot optional agentic screenings that are always reviewed by humans.
