Victoria Haneline|Marlin Chronicle
Mars Johnson|Marlin Chronicle
TalentFly, a recent startup that Virginia Wesleyan subscribes to, aims to prepare students for interviews using artificial intelligence.
Alice Jones, director of Career Development, said that prior to TalentFly, she used to tell students to practice by sitting in front of a mirror and asking themselves common interview questions, so they could see what the interviewer would see and get practice.
“It’s helpful in that you just get familiar with hearing the questions and answering the questions,” Jones said. She said that she thought TalentFly was useful because it was better than standing in front of a mirror and asking yourself questions, and it helped with repetition.
“Anything you can do to practice helps” with interviews, Jones said. Prior to TalentFly and similar startups, there were few resources that would help a student with preparing for an interview, which can be seen in the advice of Jones and other professionals in preparing for interviews.
According to TalentFly’s LinkedIn, their tool helps students “[e]ngage in simulated interviews powered by artificial intelligence, mirroring real-world scenarios and challenges.” It allows students to “[p]ractice your responses, refine your communication skills, and gain the confidence to tackle any interview with ease.”
It offers resume building resources, “video tips” and video interviews with an artificial intelligence, which is its standout feature. The tool will ask a series of standard questions, specialized for the field the student selected, and then record the students feedback for review and analysis. There are also more traditional videos on the site, which have employees share tips and resources for interviews.
None of the students contacted for this story had heard of TalentFly, but Jones said there were a decent number of students that had used the tool.
“When I talk to people, I tell them that we have it,” Jones said. Her role as director of Career Development puts her in contact with students looking for an internship or first job regularly, who are the intended audience of TalentFly.
When considering a tool to purchase for the school, Jones looks at the cost and function of the tool, among other factors.
“Is it something new, is it something I think our students would use?” Jones said. Some tools like Handshake, she said, were recommended at the national level.
TalentFly is part of a broad range of startups attempting to use artificial intelligence to assist with tasks that have been difficult or unrealistic to expect another human to do, like practicing for an interview or writing emails. In the field, resources for interviews have traditionally included videos and practice, and TalentFly offers a possible new avenue for impactful preparation.
The AI interviews involve a question being put on the screen and read aloud by an artificial voice. Your response is recorded for feedback and for you to publish for employers to look at. Tips, like how best to maintain eye contact with a camera, are offered.
The resume tips are routine but helpful, and there is an option to put the completed interviews onto your profile for employers to watch.
TalentFly was founded in 2024, according to their website, and has fewer than 50 employees, according to Google. Online reviews of the company are positive, and it is occasionally used as a job searching tool, but there is little information on the company itself.
Jones said that TalentFly had been very helpful, and that their customer service was very good. TalentFly is aiming to make interviews easier for students.
By Victoria Haneline