Ethical Conduct and Using AI in Your Application
AI Guidelines for Candidates
Thank you for your interest in a career at Zscaler! Our hiring process is designed to get to know the real you—your skills and knowledge, your problem-solving style, and your unique perspective. This guide explains our expectations on principles of ethical conduct and in particular, how you can use artificial intelligence (AI) tools compliantly and effectively as you apply for a role with us, ensuring a fair process where your talent can shine.
We’re a company built on innovation, and we’re excited by the potential of AI. We recognize that AI is a powerful tool that can augment human capabilities. Having said that, we also believe that the heart of our success lies in the authentic talent of our people—individuals who embody our core values: Teamwork, Ownership, Passion, Innovation, and Customer Obsession (TOPIC). These values are the foundation of our "Ways of Working," which reflect our shared commitment to our mission, our outcomes, and each other. We cultivate a culture of execution by taking full ownership of our results, earning trust through our collective impact, and embracing a challenge culture of ongoing feedback to drive innovation. We look for this same level of ownership and authenticity in your work, throughout our hiring process.
We have some specific guidelines below, but first and foremost, acting with integrity is non-negotiable at Zscaler. Whatever the development and evolution of tools at candidates’ disposal, cheating is never okay. The following actions are strictly prohibited and go against our core values and behavioral principles:
Misrepresentation
Inventing or falsifying your identity, qualifications, work history, or skills, whether or not you used AI.
Impersonation
Having anyone—or any AI—pretend to be you at any stage.
Plagiarism
Submitting content that is not your own original work. This includes content copied from online sources, generated by AI, or created by another person.
Unauthorized use
Using any unapproved external assistance during a live assessment, coding challenge, or interview. This includes assistance from other people, search engines, notes, or AI tools, unless you have explicit written permission.
Other inappropriate conduct
Candidates must also act ethically and in legally compliant ways, including following laws on notice and consent prior to recording calls and interviews, whether with AI tools or not.
At Zscaler, we value ownership and integrity. To ensure a fair and accurate process for everyone, we expect your contributions—from your initial application to your final interview—to be an authentic representation of your own skills, experience, and thought process. This principle is especially important in the age of AI.
We encourage using tools to assist your preparation, but during our evaluations, your direct, unassisted abilities are what matter. Your passion, purpose, and genuine capabilities are what we want to see at every step.
This is the first step in your journey with us. Ensure your application is an authentic representation of your skills and experience. This is our first look at both the substance of your work and the clarity of your communication.
Using AI to brainstorm ideas, improve grammar, or refine the style and clarity of your resume and cover letter.
You are 100% accountable for accuracy of the content. All information must be true and accurately represent your history, experience, and skills. Using AI to invent skills or "hallucinate" parts of your work history is strictly prohibited. Always review and verify any AI-generated text.
2. The Interview and Assessment Process
This stage includes all forms of evaluation, from conversations to technical challenges. Interviews are your opportunity to demonstrate your unassisted communication and problem-solving skills.
Live Interviews (Phone, Video, or In-Person)
• What’s okay: Using AI before the interview to research Zscaler, practice answers, and prepare thoughtful questions for us. We encourage great preparation!
• What’s not okay: Using any AI tool for real-time assistance during a live interview. This includes AI that generates or suggests questions and/or answers or scripts your responses.
Take-Home Assignments & Case Studies
• What’s okay: Using AI for general research, gathering data, or brainstorming initial concepts.
• Sometimes okay: In some cases, we permit the use of AI. If so, you will be explicitly notified by your recruiter, or in the assignment instructions, including the extent of use that is acceptable.
• What’s not okay: Using AI to generate the core analysis, form conclusions, or write the final answers or solutions for the assignment. Our primary goal is to evaluate your individual skills and competencies through your original work.
Live Coding & Technical Challenges
• What’s okay: On occasion, an assessment or challenge may be designed to include AI. If this is the case, your recruiter or interviewer will explicitly inform you before the interview.
• What’s not okay: By default, all external AI-powered tools are prohibited during live coding challenges. We want to see your problem-solving skills and abilities in action.
Remember, the evaluation process—from application submission through interviews and technical evaluations—are all opportunities to share and demonstrate your experience, work history, and non-AI assisted communication and problem-solving skills. Keep in mind that regardless of acceptable AI use, you are accountable for your conduct and communications, so whatever you submit or communicate must reflect your original thinking and accurately reflect your skills and abilities.
Our Interview Expectations
To ensure a fair, professional, and smooth experience for everyone, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines during any live interaction with our team.
Keep your camera on
Unless previously approved by accommodations, your camera must remain on for all video interviews. This helps us connect and communicate more effectively.
Find a professional setting
Try to choose a quiet, well-lit, and distraction-free space where you can focus on our conversation.
Ensure a stable connection
Please test your internet connection and audio/video equipment beforehand to prevent disruptions.
Be present and engaged
Our interviews are a two-way street. We want to see your genuine engagement and are just as excited to answer your questions.
Our Commitment to Fairness
We take this policy seriously to ensure a fair and level playing field for every candidate. Violation of our guidelines and ethical standards, including misrepresentations and/or unauthorized AI use, may result in:
• Immediate disqualification from the hiring process.
• Withdrawal of an employment offer.
• Termination of employment if discovered after you’ve been hired.
Zscaler is an organization that values doing the right thing. This policy helps us uphold that standard. The world of AI is always evolving, and so will our approach to keeping this policy relevant and fair.
Thank you for your interest in Zscaler. We look forward to learning more about you!