Recruiter reveals broken Zoom interview etiquette: bathrobes, yoga, and outsourcing thinking to AI

Fortune

by Nick Lichtenberg

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Virtual job interviews have become a breeding ground for unprofessional behavior and overuse of artificial intelligence, according to Sara Nibler, a recruiter at Redballoon who conducts hundreds of interviews annually. From candidates wearing bathrobes or doing yoga during calls to relying on AI for answers, the rise of remote hiring has led to a troubling lack of formality. These breaches of etiquette not only reflect poorly on applicants but also raise concerns about the quality of the hiring process and the preparedness of job seekers. Nibler shared examples of extreme cases, including a candidate who appeared fresh out of the shower and another who combined stretching with an interview. She noted that while these behaviors were initially seen among entry-level applicants, they are now cropping up at higher levels too. The informality extends to multitasking during interviews, such as one job seeker who took his interviewer on a virtual tour of Walmart while continuing the conversation. While Nibler recommended this candidate for the role, she stressed that such casualness generally doesn’t serve candidates well. The misuse of AI in the hiring process is another growing issue. Many applicants are using AI tools to generate answers or read prompts directly from screens during interviews, which often comes across as insincere or unauthentic. Nibler emphasized the importance of maintaining a human touch in applications and interviews, particularly through cover letters, which many candidates overlook. This shift toward casualness and reliance on AI has significant implications for businesses. Employers are struggling to assess candidates’ true qualifications when they’re distracted by unprofessional behavior or suspecting AI-generated responses. As hiring processes become more informal, the challenge of identifying highly qualified candidates who can adapt to professional environments becomes increasingly difficult. Ultimately, the rise of remote interviewing highlights the need for job seekers to strike a balance between convenience and professionalism. While virtual interviews offer flexibility, they still require the same

Verticals

businessfinance

Originally published on Fortune on 2/22/2026