How to ask for a human interview or an accommodation

A sheet of lined paper that begins with the word "Dear", a pen resting on it. — Photo: Towfiqu barbhuiya / Unsplash

You are allowed to ask

Many people don't realize they can ask for a different format. In a May 2026 Greenhouse survey, 46% of job seekers said they wanted the option to request a human interview. Some employers already offer it, and others will consider it when asked. The worst likely outcome is a polite no.

Some people feel the format itself sends a message. "I guess I was supposed to earn my right to speak to a human," one candidate said in a video reported by Futurism. If that is how it feels to you, asking is a calm, useful response.

A human interview and an accommodation are different requests

Asking for a human interview is a preference: you would like to speak with a person. Employers may or may not agree, especially for high-volume roles.
An accommodation (in some countries called a reasonable adjustment) is a change that removes a barrier, usually linked to a disability, a health condition, or a speech, hearing or vision difference. Examples include extra time, no countdown timer, captions, the ability to pause, a written or phone alternative, or a live interview in place of a recorded one.
A request for an alternative can also be about access: no private space, no reliable camera, an unstable connection, or a deadline that clashes with caring or work commitments.

In many countries employers have legal duties around adjustments for disabled candidates. The rules differ from place to place, so if they apply to you, check your local official guidance. In general you can describe what you need without sharing a diagnosis.

When and whom to ask

Ask as soon as you receive the invitation and before you start, because a completed recorded interview is much harder to change. Reply to the person or address that sent the invitation. If it came from a no-reply address, look for a recruiter's name, a careers contact or an accessibility contact on the company's website. The interview platform's support team can help with technical problems, but the format is the employer's decision.

Keep the message short and specific: what you are asking for, a brief reason if you want to give one, and an offer to fit around them. Send it before the deadline and mention the deadline so they know the timing.

The shape of a good request

Question about the interview format

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the [role] position. I'm very interested in the role. Would it be possible to do this stage as a short call with a member of the team? I'd like my answers to be heard in a live conversation. I'm happy to fit around your schedule before [deadline].

Thanks and interest
The request
A reason, if you want
Flexibility
The deadline

What to say: messages you can adapt

Change the details to fit your situation. Shorter is usually better.

Asking for a human interview

Subject: Question about the interview format

Hello [name],

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the [role] position. I'm very interested in the role. Would it be possible to do this stage as a short call or video call with a member of the team instead of the recorded AI interview? I'm happy to fit around your schedule before [deadline].

Best regards,

[your name]

Asking for an accommodation

Subject: Interview accommodation request

Hello [name],

Thank you for the invitation to interview for [role]. To take part on an equal footing, I'd like to ask for an adjustment: [for example, extra time on each answer / no countdown timer / the option to answer in writing / a live interview instead of a recorded one]. I'm happy to discuss what works best for you. My deadline is [date].

Kind regards,

[your name]

Raising a speech or accent concern

Hello [name],

Thank you for the invitation. Before I complete the AI interview, could you tell me whether a person reviews the recordings, or only the automated transcript? I speak English as a second language and would like to make sure my answers are assessed accurately. If possible, I'd be glad to do a short call instead.

Thank you,

[your name]

Asking what is measured and kept

Hello [name],

I'm looking forward to the interview for [role]. Could you share briefly what the AI interview assesses, whether a person reviews the answers, and how long recordings are kept? Thank you for your help.

Best,

[your name]

If they say no

You still have choices. You can go ahead after a few days of preparation. You can ask a follow-up, such as whether a person will review your recording or whether a different adjustment is possible. Or you can decide the role is not for you. In the Greenhouse survey, 38% of job seekers had walked away from a process because of an AI interview. Walking away is a legitimate decision, and so is going ahead.

Whatever you decide, keep a copy of your request and their reply. If you later want to ask how your interview was assessed, you will have a record.

Should you do the AI interview?

There is no right answer for everyone. Weigh how much you want this particular role, whether the employer answered your questions clearly, whether a person reviews the answers, and how the format affects you. Some candidates find AI interviews efficient. Others find them dehumanizing. Both reactions are reasonable. For the evidence on both sides, see what candidates report and what the research says. The guide to questions you can ask helps when you speak to the employer.

If you go ahead

Preparation is the part you control. Find out the format, check your setup, and say your answers out loud a few times. As a careers expert at Indeed told the Associated Press, "You need to practice out loud." The one-way video practice routine takes five short sessions. If you want an interviewer who asks follow-up questions about your own résumé, you can rehearse a round on Hmmlo first. And if nerves are the main obstacle, start with why AI interviews feel so strange.

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Questions people ask

Should I do an AI interview?

It depends on how much you want the role, how the employer answers your questions, and how the format affects you. Many people go ahead after some practice; some decline. Both are reasonable choices.

Can I ask for a human interview instead of an AI interview?

Yes. Reply to the invitation before you start, say you are interested in the role, and ask whether this stage could be a short call with a person. Some employers agree; others will explain why they can't.

Will asking for an accommodation hurt my chances?

No one can promise how every employer will respond, but asking early, politely and specifically is a normal part of hiring, and many employers have a process for it. Describe what you need; you don't have to explain why.

What accommodations can I ask for in an AI interview?

Common requests include extra time, no countdown timer, the ability to pause, captions, a written or phone alternative, or a live interview with a person in place of a recorded one.

Do I have to say why I need an accommodation?

Usually you can describe what you need without giving a diagnosis. Rules differ by country, so check local official guidance if this applies to you.

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