SoundCloud’s Talent Acquisition (TA) AI Notice
Our Stance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruiting
At SoundCloud, we forge our own path by leading the music tech industry with a human-centered lens. We’re making music creation accessible to everyone through ethical, AI-powered tools that help creators remix and connect with no studio required. But while we push the product forward, we believe the human element is irreplaceable when building our team.
AI is a powerful tool for candidates. It helps talent show up with confidence and keeps our process inclusive. However, our philosophy is built on balance. We embrace the speed and efficiency of technology, but real people make the final decision.
We want to get to know the authentic individual behind the application. We’re looking for bold risk-takers who use technology to amplify their unique voice, not replace it.
AI is a powerful tool for candidates. It helps talent show up with confidence and keeps our process inclusive. However, our philosophy is built on balance. We embrace the speed and efficiency of technology, but real people make the final decision.
We want to get to know the authentic individual behind the application. We’re looking for bold risk-takers who use technology to amplify their unique voice, not replace it.
Why do we have these guidelines?
AI is a valuable partner and tool that we encourage you to use for preparation and refinement. We look forward to seeing your thinking and unique perspective during the assessment and interview stages.
We encourage you to use AI to strengthen your application and prepare for interviews. We want you to be yourself, which is why we suggest using AI to refine your ideas rather than replace them. We want to see your experience and how you think.
In the section below, we are transparent about how we use AI in our hiring process, and we expect the same transparency from you when following the guidance above.
We encourage you to use AI to strengthen your application and prepare for interviews. We want you to be yourself, which is why we suggest using AI to refine your ideas rather than replace them. We want to see your experience and how you think.
In the section below, we are transparent about how we use AI in our hiring process, and we expect the same transparency from you when following the guidance above.
Guidelines for using AI in your application
When applying (resume, cover letter, application questions): Please create your first draft yourself, and then use AI companions to refine it. We want to see your real experience, but AI tools can help polish how you communicate your background and experience.
Preparing for interviews: We expect candidates to use AI tools to research SoundCloud, practice their answers to potential interview questions, and prepare questions for our team.
Live interviews & Take-home assessments: We will give you the specific ground rules right at the start. If your session or take-home allows AI, let’s keep it transparent. Please share your screen during live interviews, or be ready to walk the team through your AI workflow for a take-home. We’re here to see your genuine thought process and how you collaborate.
Preparing for interviews: We expect candidates to use AI tools to research SoundCloud, practice their answers to potential interview questions, and prepare questions for our team.
Live interviews & Take-home assessments: We will give you the specific ground rules right at the start. If your session or take-home allows AI, let’s keep it transparent. Please share your screen during live interviews, or be ready to walk the team through your AI workflow for a take-home. We’re here to see your genuine thought process and how you collaborate.
How SoundCloud’s team uses AI
SoundCloud is committed to responsible AI usage. While AI helps enhance efficiency to elevate the candidate experience, our primary focus is on communicating honestly and with care with candidates. Our team may use AI tools with human oversight and human decision-making at every step to assist in the following ways:
Creation of Job Descriptions
Our hiring managers or recruiters may use AI to help draft job descriptions, which are then refined to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Drafting and refining candidate communications
Our recruitment team members may use AI to draft messaging for potential candidates, then personalize and finalize with a human touch.
Developing Interview Questions
Our Interviewers and recruitment team may use AI to assist in brainstorming questions tailored to the skills and qualifications listed in the job description, ensuring the relevance to the role.
Application review
We are not using AI-automated decision-making tools to review, screen, or rank applicants/resumes.
Identifying candidates to source
AI tools may be used to identify relevant candidates based on the qualifications in the job description, and reviewed by teams before outreach is initiated.
Note-taking
We may use AI tools such as Brighthire, Zoom AI Companion, and Google Gemini to transcribe interviews and summarize team calls. This lets us focus on you and the real-time chat instead of manual note-taking. Candidates will always be notified and prompted to provide consent before any recording or AI transcription tool is activated during a live interview.
