Preparing for an interview usually involves a strange mix of overthinking and guesswork. You rehearse answers in your head, try to predict what a hiring manager might ask, and then hope your carefully constructed responses survive contact with reality. ChatGPT and other AI chatbots could be the solution to helping you get that dream job, according to a popular new trend.
I asked ChatGPT to interview me for a job and provide feedback. A structured and immediate critique has obvious appeal over guessing what an interviewer might think. And as a job interview is a lot like putting on a show, I went with a theatrical role, a stage magician. Not a career known for sit-down job interviews, but an audition is an audition.
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Magical interview
ChatGPT set an appropriately grand tone to begin the conversation.
“Welcome. We’re looking for a performer who can captivate audiences across cultures and age groups. Tell us, what makes your magic unforgettable rather than just impressive?”
I answered with what I thought was a decent mix of sincerity and showmanship. I wrote wanting to tell a story and create a sense of wonder that lingers after the show, leaning into the idea that magic is less about deception and more about emotional resonance, which felt like the kind of thing a magician might say.
ChatGPT’s feedback was as pointed as any sword I might stick into a box containing my assistant.
“Strong conceptual framing. You emphasize emotional impact over technical skill, which aligns with modern performance theory. However, your answer lacks a concrete example. Consider describing a specific illusion or moment where the audience response demonstrated this philosophy in action. Score: 78 out of 100.”
I tried again, adding a story about a performance where a simple coin trick escalated into a narrative about lost time, and was told it was better, but ChatGPT quickly moved on to a new question.
“You are performing live, and a trick fails in front of a large audience. What do you do in that moment?”
I wrote about turning the failure into part of the act, acknowledging it with humor and redirecting the audience’s attention. ChatGPT was not entirely convinced.
“Your response shows awareness of stage presence and audience management. However, what distinguishes your approach from other performers? Score: 72 out of 100.”
I adjusted my answer, describing a deliberate escalation where the failed trick becomes a running motif throughout the performance, eventually resolving in a way that reframes the earlier mistake as intentional. The feedback shifted accordingly.
“Improved. You now demonstrate a unique performance strategy that transforms failure into a narrative structure. Score: 88 out of 100.”
Stamp of approval
By the time we reached the final question, the tone had shifted from assessment to something closer to endorsement.
“Why should we choose you as the next global face of stage magic?”
I tried to pull together everything I had written, and it seemed I understood the AI's feedback.
“This is a compelling synthesis of your earlier answers. You demonstrate a cohesive philosophy, practical awareness, and a distinct identity. To elevate this further, consider tightening your language for greater impact. Score: 90 out of 100.”
Specific and improvement-focused feedback may not seem like much, but trust me when I say that real interviews rarely offer any feedback at all. Usually, you have to piece together what worked and what did not in your own.
There are limits, of course. ChatGPT does not replace the unpredictability of a real human conversation. It does not capture subtle cues or shifts in tone. But it does offer something more controlled and more useful.
I may not ever be a stage magician, but I feel like I could at least impress the interviewers before needing to make myself disappear.
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