What do you need to do to ace the HireVue interview and move on to the next step of the hiring process?

Technology has continued to alter the way job candidates search for new employment opportunities. Online job boards, video and phone interviews, and applicant tracking systems have all helped create an increasingly complex job search and hiring process. Some companies are even incorporating artificial intelligence into their hiring efforts by using technologies like the HireVue interview to help them screen job candidates.

In this post, we'll explain more about the HireVue interview tool and look at how this technology works as a candidate assessment solution. We'll also examine what you can expect from a HireVue interview, explore some of the questions you may encounter during that process, and provide key tips that can help you prepare to ace this crucial test.

What is a HireVue interview, and how does it work?

If you're offered an opportunity to participate in a HireVue interview, it's important to know what you're getting into. HireVue collaborates with its client companies to design interview tools that help those businesses screen applicants – in much the same way as a traditional phone interview. When you're selected for one of these interviews, you're sent a series of interview questions that you get to answer by video using your computer, smartphone, or other device.

The interview tests are structured, completely remote, and easy for most candidates to fit within their personal schedules. For each question, you'll have a set amount of time to record your video answer and submit it for analysis. HireVue's artificial intelligence tools then analyze your recorded responses, assessing your answers, body language, facial expressions, vocal tone, and other factors. The AI ultimately assigns your interview a specific score that the company can use to rank you in comparison to other candidates.

Some companies are now using HireVue interviews to replace initial phone screens or preliminary live interviews. In fact, HireVue has been used by many large employers, including the Royal Bank of Canada, Walmart, the OECD, and Nestle.

However, not everyone is on board with this new hiring tool. Some argue the technology is superficial and may not be giving qualified candidates a chance – if, for example, they speak with little inflection. However, proponents argue that HireVue eliminates gender, age, race, and other biases from the interviewing process.

Either way, this technology is catching on, and some colleges have even started offering students resources to help them prepare for impending HireVue interviews.

What to expect in a HireVue interview

If you've been asked to do a HireVue video interview, you might be feeling a bit nervous. That's natural since this is a new way of interviewing, and you likely haven't had the chance to practice. You can get around that disadvantage if you know what to expect in a HireVue interview.

The process begins when the company you're interviewing with sends you the information you need to get started. You will be able to choose to do your interview on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone – as long as your device has a camera, a microphone, and an internet connection. Once you're in the system, you'll be met with a setup page, which tells you more about the process and includes a video tutorial.

You'll also get the opportunity to assess your system and be presented with an option to accept the interview's Terms and Conditions. Once your system check has been completed – verifying that your internet, camera, and microphone are working properly – you will be invited to join the interview.

Common HireVue interview questions to practice

HireVue uses a structured interviewing style, which means it delivers the same set of questions to each candidate in the same order. As you might expect, these questions can vary depending on company, industry, and position. However, the HireVue team has published a list of its top five most common interview questions. These include:

  • Tell me a little about yourself.

  • What are your long-term career plans?

  • What made you leave your previous job?

  • Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses.

  • Why do you want to work here?

Obviously, these are similar to many common interview questions you'd encounter in a typical face-to-face interview.

If you want to dive a bit deeper, Duke University's economics department surveyed its juniors and seniors to see what questions they were asked during their HireVue interviews. Many of these questions landed in the behavioral interview category and focused on working as part of a team, making decisions, and facing challenges. 

Pro Tip: You can use the STAR method to help you prepare answers to these types of questions.

Related reading: “How to Answer, What Can You Bring to the Company?”

6 tips to help you prepare for your HireVue interview

The best way to succeed in a HireVue interview is to make sure that you're prepared. In addition to practicing your answers to common questions, you can also use the following tips to get yourself ready for that interview.

Practice and analyze yourself 

It's a good idea to practice by recording yourself answering the most common interview questions so that you can analyze the following elements of your performance:

  • Your eye contact with the camera. Instead of staring at yourself on the screen, focus on looking directly into the camera. If it helps, consider placing a sticky note over the part of the screen reflecting your face.

  • Your voice's inflection. Try to find a happy medium where your vocal tone is neither too detached nor too enthusiastic. Aim for an engaged and energetic tone.

  • Your facial expressions. HireVue can score you negatively if you smile too much or come off as overly friendly. Of course, you don't want to frown or appear unsocial, either.

  • Your verbal tics, such as “uh” or “like.” Take your time, speak at a slow and steady pace, and try to avoid those filler words.

The key is to act natural and confident – not overly rehearsed or fake. It's all about balance.

Do your homework

Research the company, the position, and the industry, just as you would for a traditional interview. Familiarize yourself with the firm's products and services and read up on its history and recent news. Follow this pre-interview checklist to ensure you hit all the main points.

Dress professionally

Always make sure that you're dressed appropriately for your HireVue interview – wearing the same type of attire that you would wear to any in-person interview at the company's offices.

Pick the right location for your video

You should also find the right place to conduct your video interview. Make sure the background is relatively plain and that the lighting is good. Avoid locations where the lighting casts shadows over your face or areas with high traffic that might disrupt your interview.

Test your technology

Before your interview time, test that you have a strong and reliable internet connection and download the HireVue app if you're using your phone. If you're using your laptop, install the latest version of Adobe Flash before starting. Charge your device while you're interviewing to avoid any embarrassing power issues.

Prepare for your HireVue interview and enjoy the success you deserve

HireVue may be a newer interviewing tool, but that doesn't mean it needs to be intimidating. The reality is that you should have no problem doing well with a HireVue interview if you know what to expect and take the time to properly prepare for the experience. That preparation will help you feel more comfortable with the technology – which will lead to greater success in your interview efforts. Good luck!

Whether you're preparing for a text, video, phone, HireVue interview, or in-person meeting, get all the practice you need with our professional interview coaches.

This article was originally written by Carson Kohler. It has been updated by Ken Chase

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