Why It Might Be Smart to Let Job Candidates Use AI in Interviews

Meta recently announced that they’re starting to let job candidates use AI tools during interviews. (Source: Wired)

Instead of banning things like ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot, they’re testing what happens when people use the tools they’d actually use on the job.

If you’re a small business owner, this idea might actually save you time, money, and a lot of future headaches.

Interviews Should Match Real Work

Think about how you or your team gets work done today. Whether it’s writing proposals, sending emails, building websites, or answering customer questions—people are using AI to move faster.

So when you interview someone, why test them in a way that doesn’t reflect what they’ll actually be doing?

You’re not hiring a trivia expert. You’re hiring someone who can get the job done—hopefully better and faster than before.

What If Your New Hire Knows AI Better Than You?

That’s not a threat. That’s an opportunity.

Imagine hiring someone who:

• Automates repetitive tasks that eat up your time
• Writes emails and proposals quicker (and with fewer typos)
• Knows how to use AI to create content or solve technical problems
• Helps you make better decisions because they’re using tools you aren’t yet

That’s the kind of person who can make a real difference for a small business.

A Simple Way to Get Started

You don’t need to be an AI expert yourself. But you can ask better questions when you’re hiring.

Try something like this:

“Do you use any AI tools to do your work faster or better?”
“Can you show me how?”

Their answer will tell you a lot—about their skills, how they think, and whether they’re staying current. If they don’t use AI yet, fine. But if they do, and they’re using it well? That’s someone who might help you grow.

Final Thought

You don’t have to copy everything the big tech companies do. But in this case, they might be onto something.

If your next team member knows how to use AI better than you, and that means more time saved or more business closed—that’s not just a good hire. That’s smart leadership.