How to use AI interview prep tools to prepare for your HireVue job interview
You can practice for your on-demand video interview (often called a HireVue interview because that’s the biggest provider) using an AI interview prep tool. You can use the tool in addition to an interview coach or instead of using a coach.
What is on-demand video interviewing?
This type of job interview is a software-driven, remote interview that companies use to replace initial phone screens and first-round live interviews. You won’t be talking to another person like in a normal interview. The computer will ask you a question and you’ll record your answer, and it will be reviewed by AI later.
These HireVue interviews are unscheduled, which means you can pick any time to answer the questions once you get the link.
There are many companies who provide these interviews so I won’t list them all here, but they are all very similar.
How are my answers evaluated?
The HireVue software (or whatever company is doing your interview) uses AI to analyze and score your answers.
The AI algorithm evaluates 2 major aspects of your response:
Verbal: Your speech, words, tone, pronunciation, voice inflection, pauses, etc.
Nonverbal: Body language, eye, lip and hand movements, facial expressions.
These are things an interview coach like me can help you with, but they’re also issues an AI interview prep tool like Google Interview Warmup can give you feedback on.
There are other AI interview prep tools besides Google’s - you can explore them if you want to spend some time on that.
Communication issues an AI-powered interview prep tool can evaluate
The AI tools are good at giving feedback on specific communication areas:
The type and number of filler words you use
How fast you talk
How much eye contact you make
Your vocabulary - Does it match job description?
Your vocabulary - How many times do you use words? Are you overusing or underusing words?
The length of your answers
Your facial expressions
Your tone
Use AI feedback instead of a coach
An interview coach can evaluate your answers on a content level, not just on the delivery (surface) level like AI, but you still might want to use AI because:
it’s a safe space where you can practice without feeling embarrassed or judged
it’s a place you can get repeated practice
the tools are usually free, unlike 1:1 coaching
if you’re in a time crunch, the tools can work with you at night or on weekends or for 24 hours in a row if you want
Use AI feedback along with an interview coach
AI tools can be useful if you’re not planning to use a coach, but if you do plan to use an interview coach, use the AI tool first and between sessions.
The tool can help you with the absolute basics as you’re creating your answers and getting a sense for how long they are and whether you have any speech problems like filler use. It’s a good supplement to coaching; you can work on the details you might not get to with the coach
Then go to the coach for more nuanced feedback about content and seniority level.
More about the HireVue interiews:
How many questions will I get?
Usually 4-5. The company you’re interviewing with can pick how many questions to ask, so it varies.
How many attempts will I get?
The number of attempts you’ll get is set up by the hiring company, so this will vary with each interview.
How much time do I get to answer each question?
You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare, and then a set time of 90 seconds to 3 minutes (depending on the question) to record and submit your answer.
Will I be able to see my actual interview questions before I take the interview?
No.
Can I practice before my interview?
Yes, you’ll be offered practice questions. You can try as many practice questions as you need. Practice responses are recorded so you can watch them, but they won’t be saved. The practice questions are generic and will not be the same as those in the real interview.
Common HireVue interview questions to practice
Introductory questions:
Tell me a little about yourself.
What are your long-term career plans?
What made you leave your previous job?
Tell me your strengths and weaknesses.
What is your greatest weakness?
Why should we hire you?
What are your hobbies?
“Why this company?” questions:
Why do you want to work for [company name]?
Why do you want to work for [department name]?
What is your understanding of the [department] and [role]?
Give us an understanding of the role.
How did you hear about this job?
Technical questions:
Most of the question you’ll get will be intro or behavioral. The company will sometimes add a few role-related questions or technical questions, so if you have time you can review the job description and brainstorm some possible questions related to the role.
Behavioral questions:
There are hundreds of these questions, but some are more common than others.
Customer service
If you’ll be working with customers, like candidates in a wide range of roles do, you’ll need to have some stories about that. The customer can be the purchaser of a retail product, a potential client, or an internal or external stakeholder.
1. Tell me about a time you used customer feedback to drive improvement or innovation. What was the situation and what action did you take?
2. Give me an example of when you did not meet a client’s expectations. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?
3. When did you deal with an angry client? What actions did you take?
4. Give me an example of a change you implemented in your current team or organization to meet the needs of your customers. What has been the result?
Teamwork
Tell me about a time you worked on a team.
Are you a team player? In what way? What role do you play on a team?
Talk about a time in a group setting in which you took a leadership role.
How would you handle a disagreement with somebody else on my team?
Describe a time you worked in a team and members of your team differed on the details and direction of a project. What did you do?
What would you do in a situation where your teammate wasn't pulling their weight?
Mistake/Failure
Tell me about a time you made a mistake
When have you had an error in judgement?
Conflict
When didn’t you get along with a coworker?
When have you had a disagreement with a supervisor?
These are some common categories, but there are a lot of behavioral questions. If you have more time and you’ve covered these, look at these lists:
20 most common behavioral questions
Huge list of behavioral questions
Tips for a Successful Hirevue Interview
Here are some pointers that will help you prepare.
1. Practice talking to a screen if you’re not used to video conferencing.
2. Look right at your camera: Look at the camera even though looking at the camera feels weird. If you aren’t used to doing this because you don’t spend all day long on video like I do, put a note next to the camera with an arrow pointing to it. Looking up / down / sideways may get you rejected.
3. If you get a chance to re-record your answers, do it. Get rid of the filler words and long pauses.
4. Use facial expressions like you’re talking to a real person. Smile.
5. Use calm body language. Don’t use your hands to talk or move your shoulders or upper body constantly. The AI will rate you lower if you move your body a lot.
6. Don’t use fillers or long pauses. They’ll reduce your score.
7. Vary your tone of voice. Don’t speak in a monotone. Usually if you read your answers from a script, you’ll sound like you rehearsed too much and you’ll sound monotonous. Emphasize important words.
8. Use the vocabulary from the job description. The HireVue questions are checking whether you have those qualities. The algorithm checks how many words from the job description you include in your response. The more words the better. Look at the job description, note the most important skills and qualifications, and include them in your response.
If you need help with your HireVue interview
If you’d like help using AI to prepare, book an interview coaching session with me.
If you're struggling to perform your best in interviews because you’re nervous, lacking in confidence, or don’t know how to prepare, working with me can help. An interview coach can show you how to prepare thoroughly, build your confidence, and effectively present your qualifications.
With the right support, you can improve your interview performance and get the job.
