Smarter Interviews, Better Hires: Sterling Smith’s Vision for RightMatch AI

Tell us how RightMatch AI was born.

I started RightMatch AI out of frustration, honestly. I was applying to jobs, getting ghosted, or rejected by automated systems that didn’t seem to recognize my potential. It was exhausting. I realized the system wasn’t just inefficient — it was broken.

At first, I just wanted to help freelancers like me stand out. But as the idea grew, it became clear this could go way beyond a tool — it could be a platform that fundamentally changes how talent is evaluated.

Now, RightMatch AI uses voice-based, AI-powered interviews to replace the traditional screening process. We’ve already saved hiring teams more than 6,000 hours and over $300K in costs. But the bigger impact? We’re helping people get seen for who they really are, not just what’s on their résumé.

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\What sets your approach apart from other hiring tools?

Most platforms are still built around resumes, keyword filters, and rigid assessments. We flipped that. At RightMatch AI, we eliminate the resume from the initial screen. Instead, candidates go through a structured, voice-based interview. It’s like giving everyone a fair shot — not just those with the best formatting.

Our AI listens, evaluates communication, critical thinking, and even soft skills. These are the things that actually matter on the job. And the feedback we get from both sides — recruiters and candidates — is that it feels more human, more fair, and more efficient.

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What trends are you seeing in hiring and talent tech?

Three things stand out. First, speed. Companies don’t have time for 30-day hiring cycles anymore — talent expects decisions in days. Second, intelligence. It’s not just about automation — teams want AI that can guide hiring decisions and provide real insight. Third, fairness. Candidates are done with black-box filters and ghosting. They want transparency and respect.

RightMatch AI is built around all three: speed, intelligence, and empathy. We’re not automating for the sake of it — we’re rebuilding the hiring experience to make it fast, smart, and human-centered.

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What’s your long-term vision for RightMatch AI?

We want to become the global standard for first-round interviews. Voice-first, unbiased, and deeply insightful. Our platform should be the first step in any hiring journey — from fast-growing startups to enterprise organizations.

But beyond that, our bigger vision is to empower 100 million professionals by 2035. We want to make sure no one is overlooked just because they didn’t go to the right school or check the right box. Every candidate should have a voice — literally — and our job is to make sure it gets heard.

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What challenge are you solving right now?

The first interview is broken. Most companies are still using rushed phone screens or resume filters to decide who to move forward with. That’s where amazing candidates slip through the cracks — and where bias creeps in.

We’re rebuilding that front door using AI and voice. The challenge isn’t just technology — it’s trust. Hiring teams are used to old methods. We’re showing them that AI can be faster, more accurate, and actually more human than what they’re used to.

And we’re doing it in a way that’s transparent, respectful, and focused on quality — not just speed.