Nearly three in five hiring managers have suspected candidates of using AI during virtual job interviews, according to new research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
The CMI said its research found that 58% of hiring managers had this suspicion, and that reaction to AI reliance during interviews was almost universally negative, with 98% of managers responding unfavourably to it.
The research also pointed to a broader rise in AI use throughout the recruitment process. The CMI said 90% of hiring managers reported a sharp increase in candidates using AI tools to write CVs or cover letters.
Despite this, the findings suggest managers still want recruitment to remain a human-led process. According to the CMI, 91% of hiring managers believe candidates should be told when AI is being used in recruitment, and the same proportion said employers need to check that AI is treating all candidates fairly.
Employers seek authenticity
Petra Wilton, CMI's Director of Policy and External Affairs, said AI use by job seekers can work against them if relied on too heavily. "AI can be a brilliant tool to help in your job hunt, but relying on it to do the heavy lifting is a fast track to rejection," she said.
Wilton said employers are not looking for algorithm-polished perfection, but want to see curiosity, resilience and an authentic willingness to learn in candidates. She added that over-reliance on AI, particularly among young people entering the workforce, risks stripping away the personality and transferable skills that make candidates stand out.
This story is based on information sent to Small Cap News by Chartered Management Institute (CMI) on 2 November 2026. See also: Data and how to send us your news.