The novel coronavirus has interrupted many aspects of student life, and job hunting is no exception. As companies transition to remote recruiting for the last few months of the academic year, entry-level candidates are likely to become more familiar with a video interview tool called “HireVue.” Some companies that recruit on RippleMatch already use HireVue at some point in the hiring process. However, a lot of candidates have never used it before or aren’t sure how it fits into recruitment overall. If a potential employer contacts you with a request for a HireVue interview, consider this your primer to understanding the platform and how you can best position yourself for success when using it.
What is HireVue?
HireVue is a video interview tool that some companies use at the different stages of their hiring process. The two most common ways to use HireVue are “Live Interviews” and “On Demand Interviews.”
With Live Interviews, HireVue works similarly to other videoconferencing programs like Zoom or Skype. In HireVue Live Interviews, the candidate and hiring manager are able to use their computer webcams and microphones to talk to each other in real time. It’s purely a tool to facilitate face-to-face communication.
By contrast, HireVue On Demand Interviews typically happen before an interview with a real person. On Demand interviews with HireVue are pre-recorded video answers to a short series of questions. The rest of this guide will focus on HireVue On Demand interviews.
Benefits of HireVue for Candidates
While a HireVue On Demand interview might seem impersonal at first, keep in mind it is not a replacement for a real in-person interview. HireVue is yet another tool that companies use for an initial screening, like a complement to your resume and cover letter. In most cases, you’ll be asked the same or similar questions as everyone else applying for the position, which can lessen the chance of bias in the job application process.
If writing is not your forte, HireVue video answers also offer you the opportunity to tell your own story in a different format. You can show off more of your personality, highlight public speaking skills, and demonstrate your “stage presence” in front of a screen. If you’re applying for client-facing roles in marketing, social media, or sales, a strong HireVue interview could be an excellent boost to your application.
Finally, with HireVue there is no need to travel in the early stages of the interview process, and you can take it at a time that fits with your schedule. Because HireVue is a virtual tool, you can take your On Demand interview using your phone or PC within a specific period of time.
Tips for Getting Through a HireVue Interview
Before the Interview
Although an HireVue On Demand interview can be mutually beneficial for candidates and employers, it can still be stressful if you’ve never done one before. Fortunately, there are several things you can do in advance to become more comfortable.
First, read any instructions that you receive from the employer along with your HireVue On Demand interview link. They might offer specific recommendations in regard to dress code or share some additional insight into the types of questions they plan to ask. If there’s no recommendation for dress code, err on the side of caution and dress the way you would for a typical in-person interview.
Next, make sure you’ve determined that the technology you plan to use is working properly. If you’re taking the interview on your smartphone, you’ll need to download the HireVue app. If you plan to use a desktop, you will need to have access to a webcam, a microphone, and the internet.
We also recommend using the Practice Questions feature on HireVue right before the real thing, since that will give you the opportunity to become more comfortable with the platform and to make sure there are no technical difficulties on your end. Keep in mind that the practice questions will be different than the real interview questions. And as with any interview, make sure you’ve done your due diligence in understanding how your academic and work experiences match the job you’re applying for, and why you might be a good fit for the company. Consider running through a few common behavioral interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror.
During the Interview
When it’s time for the interview itself, make sure you get rid of any distractions before starting HireVue. That means silencing any phone notifications, ensuring that any roommates or pets will not disturb you, and clearing your interview environment of any clutter. You should also ensure that the lighting is sufficient for your interview.
As with every video interview, make sure you answer the questions while looking directly at the webcam, not the screen. This will give a better impression of making eye contact. For additional tips, HireVue also has a ‘Candidate Help Center,’ where they’ve laid out many of the tips listed above, including details on specific things like technical difficulties in the interview or device-specific instructions.
Video interviews like HireVue can take some getting used to. Remember that HireVue is only one component of your overall application, and the On Demand interviews are usually a precursor to formally meeting with a hiring manager – not a replacement. While it might seem intimidating at first, with some practice and advance preparation you might even find that using HireVue can really make your application shine.
