Your blueprint for AI use during the hiring process.

At Thumbtack, we believe AI is one of the most exciting new tools in the toolbox. It helps us research, brainstorm, and automate routine work so we can focus on building better experiences for homeowners and pros.

AI can help you prepare, but during your job search, you’re still the owner of your story. And, interviews are a different kind of project. During our interview process we want to understand how you think, problem-solve, and communicate. To keep the process fair (and the foundation sturdy), here are clear guidelines for when AI can and can’t be used.

Tips for using AI during your job search.

AI can be a helpful assistant as you prepare – just make sure the work still reflects your real experience and voice.

Purple outlined speech bubble icon with a stylized "AI" inside, representing interview guidelines.

Use AI to sharpen – not to invent.

It’s fine to refine clarity and structure, but don’t add tools, projects, or experience you can’t confidently explain.

Green checkmark icon representing successful or approved AI interview guidelines.

Proofread your resume carefully.

Make sure AI didn’t exaggerate your impact. Use it to clarify your work, not to rewrite your history.

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Using an auto-apply tool?

Do a quick final walkthrough. Make sure your email and phone number are your own. Some tools can submit a tool-generated address, which may cause you to miss recruiter updates.

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Keep it authentic.

Only submit work you understand and can explain. If asked about a bullet, project, or decision, you should be able to walk us through it in detail.

Your Thumbtack interview at a glance

AI is OK for: preparation.

Use it to learn, practice, and get organized before you meet with us.

AI is not OK during most live interviews.

AI should not be used during most live interviews unless explicitly stated. In some Engineering interviews, AI use may be part of a structured exercise. When that applies, we’ll explain the expectations and any allowed tools in advance.

AI is OK for some take-home assignments.

Some take-home exercises may allow AI use. When it is allowed, you should still be able to clearly explain your work, decisions, and approach. If AI is not allowed, we’ll say so explicitly. Check with your recruiter for confirmation

Preparing for your interview.

What we’re evaluating: how you prepare, learn, and show up ready to build.

AI is OK for: preparation.

  • Researching Thumbtack, the team, or the role
  • Reviewing technical concepts or terminology
  • Practicing interview questions (technical or behavioral)
  • Brainstorming examples from your own past work (you supply the facts)
  • Refining your resume or presentation for clarity and formatting
  • Summarizing technical topics to support your studying

When you can’t use AI.

  • To fabricate or embellish experience, results, or tools you haven’t actually used
  • To generate inaccurate stories that aren’t true to your real work
  • To copy/paste achievements you can’t explain in detail

Examples

Asking AI to help you practice explaining a real project you shipped

Adding a tool to your resume because AI suggested it and you didn’t proofread

Live Interviews.

During your interview, we're evaluating your problem solving skills — how you reason, adapt, and communicate as you build toward a solution.

AI tools may not be used during most live interviews unless we explicitly tell you otherwise.

AI is OK for: preparation and some exercises.

  • Before the interview: to study, practice, and prepare
  • In some interviews, we may include a structured exercise where AI use is part of the assessment. If that applies, we’ll explain the expectations clearly in advance, including what tools are allowed and what skills we’re evaluating.

When you can’t use AI.

  • During the live interview to generate or suggest:
  • code or fixes
  • system designs or outlines
  • solutions, hints, or step-by-step reasoning
  • explanations or phrasing to read aloud

Examples

Explaining your reasoning out loud, asking clarifying questions, and working through tradeoffs yourself

Using AI in real time during a live interview when it has not been explicitly allowed

Take-home assignments.

What we’re evaluating: your independent thinking, reasoning, and craftsmanship.

AI use may be allowed for some take-home assignments, depending on the prompt. When it is allowed, your submission should still reflect your own judgment, and you should be able to clearly explain your work, including how you used AI in your process.

If AI is not allowed for a particular assignment, we’ll say that explicitly.

AI is OK for: preparation.

  • Only when the prompt explicitly allows it (and within the allowed boundaries)

When you can’t use AI.

  • Generating the submission (analysis, recommendations, code, or writing) with AI
  • Submitting AI-generated work that you can’t explain and defend

Examples

Using AI to support parts of your process when the prompt allows it, and being able to explain your choices and final output

Submitting work you can’t explain or speak to

Why we have this policy.

Authenticity, trust and fairness is the foundation of our hiring process. AI can speed up construction, but it cannot replace creativity, integrity, and independent thought. We want to assess how your abilities and experience are aligned to our on the job expectations.

AI is transforming how people work, and our approach will evolve with it. We plan to regularly review and update this guidance as technology advances and explore ways to assess AI fluency and responsible use alongside core technical and behavioral soft skills.

Questions?

If you’re unsure about what’s allowed, ask your recruiter before your interview. We’ll make sure you’re clear and confident before you start.