Hirevue Interview Guide From HR to Land Your Dream Job

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Nowadays, digital interviews are the only interviews. No, follow-up questions, and only one chance to make a good impression. A digital interview might seem intimidating, but with the tips in this interview guide, you will look forward to this convenient and easy way to interview. 

What can an interview guide do for you? I’ll tell you, Hirevue is one of the most popular digital interview platforms. If you get familiar with Hirevue digital interviews you’ll be prepared for Zoom, GoogleMeet, and other digital platforms. That means a better chance of getting hired!

Digital interviews are easier than face to face interviews, I promise. I’ve prepped 1,000’s of candidates for their digital interviews. Get your ‘first-day’ outfit ready, you got this!

What is a digital Hirevue interview vs a digital interview?

Hirevue is one of the most popular apps used for digital interviews. A digital interview is an opportunity for you to answer preset questions via the web or app. Typically your answers and face are recorded and later reviewed and ranked by the hiring team.

Hirevue uses a combination of preset yes / no questions and a set of questions that you record a response to. You will not be interacting with a hiring manager at any point.

Alternatively, Zoom and GoogleMeet interviews are typically conducted by a panel of 2-3 people. These are styled in a question and answer fashion, where typically each panel member will ask a question to the candidate.

How do you succeed with a Hirevue interview?

When a recruiter tells you that you are going to be completing a Hirevue interview, you can expect it to take less than 30 minutes and you can do it right from your smartphone, iPad, laptop, or computer. 

You should receive detailed instructions and another interview guide from your recruiter regarding your digital interview. The interview guide will include the necessary equipment requirements such as internet connection speeds. Downloading the Hirevue app takes less than a minute. Just download it ahead of time. A smartphone is by far the easiest way to complete your digital interview. Whatever device you use, make sure that it’s charged and the volume is on.

You will either create a username and password, or the company will provide you with a new one. In most cases the interviewing platform is separate from your resume/ application, so don’t be alarmed if you are asked to create a new username.

Companies do have the option to customize their Hirevue Interview for their candidates. Below is what I’ve seen most commonly used.

First Get Ready to Answer a Few Yes / No Questions.

These questions are not ‘filmed’ and you should be able to breeze through them in a minute or two. Here are some example questions:

Q. Are you aware of the basic expectations of the position and are you able to complete them?
Q. Do you need to take an extended amount of time off in the next 6 months?
Q. Are you able to work within all business hours?
Q. Do you meet the basic educational requirements of the role?

A quick read of the job posting and an understanding of what the position is, will more than prepare you for the yes/no section. The questions will be basic “are you able”. It’s important, to be honest, but be aware things like time off for vacation can be addressed later.

The Digital Hirevue Interview 

Now the real fun begins. Generally, you will have 30 seconds to read a question and a minute and a half to respond. 

There are 3 basics to a digital interview:
1. The Room
2. Your Appearance
3. Your Answers

We will take a look at all of them and make sure you’re prepared and set for success.

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The Room

Make Sure It’s Quiet – When you are doing a digital interview treat it like an in-person interview. Turn off all distracting noise. Television does not need to be on nor does your kid’s screaming cartoons piping in from the next room. 

Companies are switching to digital applications. The digital interview could be the ONLY interview. Don’t blow it off thinking it’s just a company technicality. 

Make Sure the Room Is Well Lit – If you are poorly lit, it makes your face look dreary and it could give you the appearance of being tired. Indirect sunlight is best to make sure your face is illuminated. 

Tidy Up Your Area – Your digital interview will be a direct picture of your face, but make sure that the wall behind you, as well as your surroundings, are tidy.

A busy wall, a distracting poster, a stack of dirty dishes all give the interviewer things to judge. These things are NOT part of your interview. Surroundings and photos shouldn’t be used against you, but people can be unaware of their biases, even managers

Your Appearance

This isn’t about how you look, this is about you putting your best foot forward and being genuinely present during the digital interview process. 

I suggesting dressing your best from the waist up, appearing put together, prepared and professional.

Feel free to wear pajamas pants or something comfortable on the bottom, no one will know! 

A blouse, a sweater, a collared shirt, or even a shirt with a business jacket are all great options. Don’t wear anything with crazy distracting patterns either, and keep your jewelry minimal and classic. All attention needs to be on the words you are speaking.

A genuine interest in the interview process and a smile will get you further than you think!

This is not the time to try on a new lipstick or get crazy with your eyeliner. A natural look with tame hair is the safest bet. You don’t want anyone concentrating on anything except for your answers.

Now we have our room looking great, you look polished and professional, what an earth are these people going to ask you?! There are some really basic questions companies are interested in hearing your answer.

Your Answers. What Will Be Asked During My Hirevue Interview?

Attitude is everything. I’ve seen very qualified executives not get jobs because they thought a digital interview process was below them. That negativity came through in their answers. Digital interviews are the way of the future and are very much married to the hiring process. It’s time to have fun with them.

Managers are looking for some basics in your digital interview answers: Did you care about the solution and do you have a positive attitude?

Here are examples of a few digital interview questions I have seen:

Q. Why are you the best fit for this position?
Q. Tell me about a time when you didn’t see eye to eye with a coworker.
Q. When did you go above and beyond for a customer?
Q. What is your biggest professional accomplishment and why?
Q. How did you remedy a difficult situation and what was involved?
Q. Which company value can you most relate to?

The easiest way to answer questions is with the ‘STAR’ method. STAR stands for: Situation, Task, Action, Response. This method will guide you through any questions asked. It quickly lets the interviewer know: 

1. Explain what happened in the first place.
2. explain what your role in the situation was.
3. Explain what you did to remedy what was happening.
4. What was the outcome of your action?

With the STAR method, you are disclosing every detail of the situation.

Now that you know how to dominate the interview, how do we put it into practice after you hit RECORD? PRACTICE!

Use your bathroom mirror and mock interview yourself.

You’re going feel dumb I promise 🙂 However, this is a great confidence-building exercise. If you are not a fan of ‘facetime’ or other programs where you can see yourself talking, it can be really intimidating the first time. Using a mirror will get you used to your facial expressions, and will help you to practice your smile. 

I was told by several candidates, that interviewing themselves in a mirror is what made them confident enough to complete their digital interview. Spend time talking to yourself, ask yourself questions, it only helps you! 

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Tell people you are completing a digital interview!!

Don’t be a victim of circumstance! As soon as you need quiet, that’s when someone NEEEEEEEEDS YOU. Or someone bursts into the room because they can’t find their “freaking wallet!” When you are scheduled to complete a digital interview make sure everyone in your household knows, turn down the tv and make sure the dogs and kids are happy.

Despite whatever circumstances, recruiters don’t have the ability to ‘pull or delete’ your interview. Once it’s submitted it’s submitted with the family drama included. 

If something does go awry, let your recruiter know. We can alert the hiring manager of weird circumstances. However, their response is usually “We take the entire digital interview into account.” Which of course does not offer you any solace if someone does bust in on your interview. A re-do digital interview is quite rare, so take the steps to prepare ahead of time for success.

Get Out There and Apply!

Now that you know how to succeed in your digital / Hirevue interview, put all those job feelers out! If you’re miserable in your job, there’s no reason to continue in that direction. You are not stuck, you can make more money and you can have a fulfilling job that makes you happy!

Remember to be positive, smile, research the company and have a good handle on what your strengths and weaknesses are… then, any digital interview will be a ‘Pass go to Collect Job’ every time!

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