HireVue is a job search and hiring platform that some companies use to screen applicants. Students receive a link to complete an interview which is virtual and managed via AI. During the interview, candidates are asked to record themselves answering between five to eight questions.
As AI tools like HireVue become more common in the hiring process, Wentworth students are having to adjust to a new kind of interview that involves recording answers instead of speaking to a live person. I interviewed Hunter Wilson, a senior in Computer Information Systems at Wentworth, who shared his experience using HireVue.
He explains that preparation is key to doing well. Because HireVue looks for specific keywords and qualifications, he stresses the importance of answering questions clearly and tying your responses directly back to the role. He also highlights the need to be professional: set up a clean and quiet space, and use recording attempts wisely.
Q: Can you walk me through your first experience using HireVue?
A: My first HireVue interview was about two or three years ago. I didn’t really know what to expect. The first experience was a little daunting but after doing it time and time again you learn what to expect with the questions.
Q: What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before doing your first HireVue interview?
A: I wish someone told me to do due diligence on the role beforehand. This could look like finding the people who are familiar with it behind the scenes, whether they are directly connected to the hiring team or working on the team with the role for which you’re applying. I would go on LinkedIn or the company website to figure out who is involved in the process.
You can reach out to these people to gain valuable insight. Making these connections is impactful because they want to help you; they were in the same position as you are, however, many years ago. They are going to tell you what the hiring managers want to hear.
Q: How did interviewing with HireVue compare to a traditional interview?
A: A lot of the time bigger companies will use HireVue because they are getting hundreds if not thousands of applicants. So HireVue expedites that process of interviewing each and every single person. They use AI to look for certain keywords, eye contact, or facial expressions. Make sure you’re looking at the camera, smile a little bit, and hammer home the keywords shown on your resume. For both types of interviews, you want to communicate that you have the basic requirements for the position, show that you’re qualified but also personable, and not robotic.
Q: What aspects of HireVue did you find most challenging?
A: Something that stumped me from the beginning was finding the pattern of questions that were going to be asked. Now, I have a full list of these questions and relevant answers, depending on the role. But from the start, figuring out what types of questions they were going to ask was difficult. To help navigate this, make sure you know the role itself and know your background and your experience and be able to speak on relates back to the role for each question. This becomes easier and easier, the more you do it.
Q: Did you feel you were able to accurately show your skills and personality through HireVue? Why or why not?
A: I would say HireVue takes away from your personality because of the structure of it. The questions could be “Tell me a little bit about yourself” and you only have one minute to respond to it which makes it difficult to address your hobbies, what you do in your free time, or if you are a student athlete. I’m someone who likes to converse one on one rather than talk to a screen because it allows me to find niche things that I can connect with these people about. HireVue is looking for specific answers and to see if you know what the role entails, and you don’t get the opportunity to share extra things that really add to who you are.
Q: How do you prepare for your HireVue interviews, and what preparation strategies help the most?
A: preparation is key, but also be presentable. Being presentable could mean wearing a suit and tie or just being well dressed. Also, having a clear background is very important. If this isn’t your bedroom or kitchen, you could also book a room in the library to have a distraction free space to take the interview without being interrupted. One of the biggest things for preparation is understanding the role and what the role is going to ask of you, as well as how your experience contributes to the role.
Q: What mistakes or surprises did you encounter that you wish you had known about beforehand?
A: Most HireVue interviews will give you one minute to prepare and then two attempts for each question. In the beginning, I would use the first attempt to prepare my response and then use the second one as my final take. This meant that any mistake I made on the final try I had to submit. So, I would advise people to use the first try as well as the second so that you are able to pick which one you like better.
Q: Do you feel HireVue is a fair way to evaluate candidates?
A: This can go both ways because some people think that HireVue is great because it’s very black and white while others prefer a one-to-one interview like me. Though, usually they do follow up interviews in person or on Zoom, which then allows you to showcase what you weren’t able to during that first HireVue interview. Depending on the company, it might be necessary due to the high number of applicants. HireVue can weed out the people that aren’t serious about the role from those who are. Some people might get a HireVue interview and say this is too much work while others who are more serious about the role will complete the interview.
Q: What tips or advice would you give to Wentworth students who are about to do their first HireVue interview?
A: Make sure you get your point across when answering these questions. They don’t want to hear you ramble on; they are looking for you to answer the question concisely. For example, when you get the question “Tell me a little about yourself” they don’t want to hear about your high school. They want to know your major, school, potentially relevant courses, and any experience that directly relates to the role.
Q: Overall, how has your experience with HireVue influenced how you approach interviews or job applications now?
A: I would say I’m more prepared with the questions they are going to ask me now, but that comes with repetition and experience. Even if you have an interview for a role where you don’t think you have a shot, I’d say it’s worth going through the process to gain experience. Whether it’s something that you’re super enthusiastic about or something where it’s a one and a million chance that you might get the job you will still have to go through some sort of exercise or experience where you must answer the same type of questions.
You can find more resources on the HireVue site:
https://www.hirevue.com/candidates/interview-tips
Find resources on What to Wear and How to Prepare on the Co-ops & Careers website:
https://coopsandcareers.wit.edu/resources/what-to-wear-and-how-to-prepare
Use CareerShift as a tool to find Alumni:
