How The Top 1% Talk About AI In Interviews

A question I get asked often in my weekly AMAs is:

“Is it wise to mention AI tools during interviews?”

The short answer is yes.
But only if you frame it the right way.

In fact, one recruitment agency I know filters for top-tier candidates using a single question:

“How do you use AI in your workflows?”

Most candidates stumble here. They give surface-level answers.

“I use ChatGPT to look things up.”
“I use it to draft content.”

And what employers hear is simple: replaceable.

The top 1% answer very differently.

1.They Talk About Systems, Not Tools

Average candidates talk about tools.
Top performers talk about systems.

Instead of naming ChatGPT, they explain how they:

• Break down complex work into repeatable workflows
  
  
• Design prompts tailored to specific tasks
  
  
• Invest time upfront to make execution faster and cleaner
  
  

This signals strategic thinking, not dependency on a tool.

2. They Combine AI With Judgment, Not Just Speed

The top 1% don’t rely on a single platform.

They explain how they:

• Combine multiple AI tools for analytics, automation, and creativity
  
  
• Use AI to solve small but critical workflow problems others overlook
  
  
• Remove friction so they can focus on higher-value decisions
  
  

That’s what makes them indispensable, not faster output alone.

3. They Pair AI With Human Differentiators

AI alone won’t set you apart.

In a world of AI-polished resumes, employers are actively looking for what can’t be automated:

• Clear communication
  
  
• Strategic thinking
  
  
• Stakeholder management
  
  
• Influence and judgment
  
  

That’s why the strongest candidates don’t rely only on online applications. They show up with:

• Video pitches
  
  
• Portfolios
  
  
• Networking conversations
  

These demonstrate value no algorithm can replicate.

How to Answer the AI Question the Right Way

So when you’re asked about AI in interviews, don’t say:

“I use ChatGPT to help refine my work.”

Instead, say something like:

“I design workflows with AI to speed up execution, which frees me to focus on communication, stakeholder management, and strategy.”

That’s the balance employers want to see:
AI as your co-pilot, and human skills as your superpower.

They’re not looking for someone who hands work off to a tool.
They’re looking for someone who uses AI to elevate their contribution.

Over to you:
Have you mentioned AI in an interview before? How did it land?

If you want help framing AI in a way that actually gets you noticed, join the waitlist for my private collection of 100 ChatGPT prompts. These are the exact prompts my clients use to navigate interviews, position their value, and stand out as the top 1%.

Rooting for you,
 Angel Kilian
Founder | Career inFocus