- "Used AI to improve efficiency" on a CV means little without evidence.
- Ask for a walk-through of real work, with numbers and screenshots where confidentiality allows.
- Use reference calls to confirm results, not just character.
Since generative AI became mainstream, almost every CV mentions it. Hiring managers need a quick way to tell genuine implementers from enthusiastic users.
Four ways to verify
1. A case walk-through
Ask the candidate to present one project in 15 minutes: the problem, the baseline, what they built, the result and what went wrong. Interrupt with detailed questions; real experience holds up under detail.
2. Work samples
Where confidentiality allows, ask for anonymised examples: a workflow diagram, a prompt library, a project report. Public portfolios, GitHub repositories or published write-ups also help for technical roles.
3. A short practical exercise
Give a one-page description of one of your own processes and ask for a 30-minute outline of how they would approach it. You will learn how they think, not just what they know.
4. Results-focused references
Ask former managers specific questions: what did the person deliver, what changed in the numbers, and would they hire them again for the same work?
Red flags
- Only tool names, with no outcomes.
- No baseline or measurement in any project.
- Every project described as a complete success.
- Unable to explain a basic trade-off, such as when not to use AI.
Use a structured process
Apply the same steps and scorecard to every candidate. It is fairer, and it makes the final decision much easier to defend.
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