How to Improve Candidate Conversion Rates With AI Interviews

January 22, 2025
Best Practices From the HRMLESS Team

Top talent won’t wait around. The faster candidates move through your hiring funnel, the more likely you are to land them before your competitors do. That’s why companies using Nerva—our AI-powered recruiting assistant—see dramatically faster time-to-hire.

But let’s be real: not everyone is used to video interviewing with an AI agent. Some candidates may hesitate or delay. At HRMLESS, we’ve tested what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to nudging candidates through the process confidently.

Here are our proven strategies to improve interview conversion and keep your funnel flowing.

1. First Impressions Matter: Nail the Invitation

Your initial outreach should feel personal, relevant, and trustworthy. Candidates are familiar with AI—but they want to know you’re still involved. When inviting someone to complete a Nerva interview, frame it as a first step in a modern, flexible hiring process—not a replacement for human connection.

Key Tips:

• Use your company name and job title in the subject line.
• Explain what Nerva is and why you’re using it.
• Highlight that candidates can complete the interview anytime, on any device.
• Emphasize that strong candidates will move directly to a live interview—no unnecessary steps.

2. Follow Up With Confidence

Candidates are busy. That doesn’t mean they’re uninterested—it just means you need to remind them. A follow-up message 1–2 days after the initial invite can make all the difference.

Best Practices:

• Reinforce the benefits of your company and the role.
• Remind them that the AI interview only takes ~10 minutes.
• Reassure them it’s part of a streamlined process, not an impersonal filter.

3. Technical Hygiene: Make Sure Emails Actually Land

You might be sending great invites—but if they land in spam, it’s game over. Here are some essentials to keep your deliverability healthy:

• Authenticate emails: Use SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to show inbox providers you’re legit.
• Warm up new IPs: Don’t blast out thousands of emails from a fresh address. Ramp slowly.
• Monitor engagement: High bounce rates and low opens can hurt your sender reputation.
• Clean your list: Remove outdated or unresponsive contacts regularly.

4. Keep Subject Lines Simple and Clean

Avoid spammy language or emojis. Keep your subject line professional and clear. Here are some top performers:

• Next Step: AI Interview for {Role Title}
• {Company Name} Interview: {Role Title}
• We Reviewed Your Application – Let’s Talk

Skip the fluff. Stick to clarity.

Final Thought: Human + AI = Better Together

Nerva isn’t here to replace recruiters—it’s here to supercharge them. Our clients see up to 62% faster time-to-hire, 87% fewer no-shows, and 3x the candidate pipeline, all while freeing up hours of recruiter time each week.

But no matter how smart the system, the way you communicate matters. When candidates feel informed, respected, and supported—even by an AI—they’re more likely to convert.

Want to see how Nerva boosts your funnel?

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