AI Prompt Writing Skills in IT Interviews: Must-Have or Just Hype?

Is Writing AI Prompts a Job Guarantee or Just a Buzzword?

There’s a growing chatter around whether the skill of crafting prompts for AI is becoming essential for IT roles or if it’s simply hype. We checked in with developers and team leaders to see how necessary this skill really is today.

What Developers Are Saying

Out of 23 developers surveyed, only one had experience with AI prompt writing as part of a technical interview. The rest hadn’t encountered this requirement, reflecting an unclear stance on AI tools in hiring processes.

One Front-End Developer shared his experience interviewing at a startup focused on AI language models. The company valued speed and used AI to accelerate development. His interview involved writing prompts to generate tests and mock data, demonstrating his ability to communicate effectively with AI to get desired results.

Speed and efficiency are top reasons companies want developers familiar with AI tools. In the US, nearly 25% of IT job listings now mention AI tool proficiency as a requirement. Big names like Visa and Reddit are actively seeking such skills to quicken product releases.

Some developers reported that certain companies encourage using AI for test tasks. For instance, one Software Engineer mentioned that while his interviews were mostly oral or based on pre-written code explanations, he was encouraged to leverage AI tools in completing take-home tasks.

On the flip side, many companies remain cautious or even discouraging about AI use, especially during interviews. Concerns include code confidentiality and the authenticity of candidate skills.

Job listings on Ukrainian platforms are beginning to mention AI skills, mostly as a plus rather than a must-have. Some roles specify experience with tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, or Codeium for coding and refactoring assistance.

However, a hesitation exists among candidates, especially juniors, about openly discussing their use of AI tools. Some fear negative judgment or misunderstandings from recruiters and managers.

What Team Leaders Think

Team leads generally do not include writing AI prompts as part of their interview process. Their reasons vary:

• Time constraints: Interviews focus on core technical skills due to limited time.
• Company policies: Many organizations restrict AI use for code development to protect intellectual property.
• Core skills priority: Strong programming fundamentals and problem-solving take precedence over prompt writing.

Some leaders expressed openness to incorporating AI-related tasks in the future but don’t see it as a priority now. For example, one CTO focuses on understanding candidates' problem-solving approaches rather than their ability to write AI prompts.

Others emphasize communication and technical discussions as better indicators of a candidate’s capabilities than prompt writing exercises.

GitHub’s CEO recently noted that testing candidates on AI tool proficiency will likely become standard. The company is already exploring ways to integrate AI skill assessments into interviews. This signals a potential shift in hiring practices soon.

Final Thoughts

In Ukraine and many other markets, AI-assisted programming skills are still emerging as a hiring factor. Employers are cautious, often listing AI skills as a bonus rather than a requirement. Team leaders currently prioritize traditional technical skills but may expand their focus as AI tools become more integrated into development workflows.

If you’re interested in strengthening your AI prompting and coding skills, consider exploring specialized courses to stay ahead. Resources like prompt engineering courses can provide practical knowledge for working effectively with AI tools.