IBSS SDS Team successfully hosts AI Mock Interview Bootcamp

An immersive AI interview experience to help students strengthen their career competitiveness

In recent years, AI interviews have become increasingly common in campus recruitment. Industry reports suggest that more than 60% of companies have incorporated AI technologies into their hiring processes. In sectors such as technology, finance, and manufacturing, AI interviews are now widely used as an initial screening tool for internship and graduate recruitment.

In response to this trend, the Student Development and Support (SDS) team at the International Business School Suzhou (IBSS), Xi’an Jiaotong–Liverpool University, has been actively exploring the integration of AI and employability education. Through a series of AI-empowered career preparation initiatives, SDS aims to help students better understand emerging recruitment practices and develop stronger job-search competencies. As part of this effort, SDS organised an AI Mock Interview Bootcamp, providing students with hands-on experience and structured reflection to enhance their interview performance and career readiness.

On 27 March, the Bootcamp was successfully held at the IBSS Trading Floor. The session was designed around a “learn – practise – reflect” structure, offering students an immersive experience of the AI interview process.

During the learning session, Ms Xiaoyu Zhang, who leads the AI-enhanced employability project within SDS, introduced the growing use of AI interviews in today’s recruitment market. She also demonstrated how AI mock interview systems work and shared key points students should pay attention to during the process. Following this, Ms Yidan Liu, who specialises in soft skills training within SDS, provided practical guidance on interview communication and presentation. Her session focused on structuring a strong self-introduction, understanding common interview question types, and developing effective response strategies, helping students gain clearer insight into the key competencies employers expect.

In the practice session, students completed AI mock interviews based on their selected career paths, including general management roles, product management, and management trainee positions. Through this hands-on exercise, students were able to experience the full AI interview workflow and develop a clearer understanding of the types of questions commonly asked for different roles.

After completing the mock interviews, students immediately received AI-generated feedback reports analysing their performance. The reports included overall scores, detailed evaluations of each question, and insights into the competencies assessed during the interview. SDS teachers then guided students through the reports using real examples, helping them interpret the evaluation criteria and identify areas for improvement. Students were also able to review recordings of their own responses, enabling deeper reflection on both content and communication style.

The two-hour Bootcamp concluded with enthusiastic feedback from participants. Many students shared that the immersive experience helped reduce their anxiety about AI interviews and provided valuable insight into how employers assess candidates. The session also helped them feel more confident in preparing for upcoming interviews and navigating the evolving recruitment landscape.

Looking ahead, the SDS team at IBSS will continue to organise a series of AI-empowered interview preparation activities. In April, specialised practice sessions will be launched for roles such as marketing, HR, and product management, helping students further refine their interview skills, deepen their understanding of labour market expectations, and strengthen their overall employability.