Hot Jobs Alert: according to recent reports, you should get used to the idea that the next person interviewing you won't be a person but a computer!

Companies are not having problems attracting candidates but identifying successful ones. New job search systems can handle thousands of interviews a day, filter out unqualified applicants and rank the rest for hiring managers to review at their convenience.

If you apply for a job and get a card or email back with a phone number and PIN, that's a clue that your next step is automated.

Here are some tips:

1. These are not maddening customer service lines that can upset you. Don't treat them like that.

2. A negative attitude will hurt you.

3. Don't handle the interview as if you were talking to a computer. Talk to the hiring manager.

4. Stay upbeat in your voice quality and the words you choose.

5. Keep focused on the direct answers to the questions. But then embellish with specific contributions you could make.

Be prepared for questions like, "Senior design engineers can often be difficult to work with. Please tell us about your experiences with them and how you have learned to work effectively with them."

Another type of question may go like this, "You are helping a 4 year old child and their parents pick out shoes. When you try to measure the child's foot, the child gets scared and resists. What would you do?"

No matter what preliminary screening devices are used, no one is going to hire you without meeting you face-to-face. So, when you're in a hot jobs mode, it's important to have all your ducks in a row.

That means you have to know what all your work options are. When you do, you can help shape a job description to fit your preferences.

Youll be amazed at how open employers are to your feedback if youre able to communicate yourself assertively. Its what makes hot jobs HOT!