A HireVue interview is a job interview that an employer runs on HireVue's hiring software. Most often it is on-demand: you open a link, read or watch each question and record a video answer when it suits you, and the employer's recruiters review it later. HireVue's own pages also describe live video interviews, an AI interviewer and AI-scored assessments.
The company now writes its name "Hirevue". Employers choose many settings, such as retakes and thinking time, so check your invitation.
HireVue interview formats
HireVue's video interviewing page names two formats: "On-demand video", described as "One-way asynchronous interviewing giving candidates 24/7 flexibility", and live interviews held in "Hirevue, Zoom, Teams, or Webex".
HireVue's pages describe two more products. The candidate FAQ says video-based assessments "evaluate both what you know about performing the job" and softer competencies, and that "not all Hirevue interviews have an assessment added". The AI Interviewer page says "AI agents ask and record candidate responses, including probing follow-up questions, in a natural two-way conversation", and lists "Candidates can opt out" among its safeguards.
Our guides to the one-way video interview and what an AI interview is cover both kinds in general.
How does HireVue work for the candidate?
These steps are for the on-demand format.
- The employer sends you a link. HireVue's explainability statement says these messages are "managed by the employer".
- You choose a device and a time. The candidate FAQ lists "computer, tablet, phone", says you can "choose when and where to do the interview", and recommends an internet speed of "at least 350 Kbps".
- You test your microphone. The FAQ says the platform lets you check it is working "before you start".
- You try a practice question. HireVue's interview tips page says "You'll even have the opportunity to do a practice question."
- You answer the real questions. The FAQ says each comes "either written or in video form", with "several minutes to respond to each question". If you lose your connection, "you'll be able to pick up where you left off with the same link".
- You wait to hear from the employer. The sample email in the explainability statement says "a representative from [Company] will contact you about the next steps" (see what happens after an interview).
What the employer sets and what you control
HireVue's explainability statement says "How the candidate experiences the assessment is configurable by the company deploying the assessment."
| Setting | Who decides | What HireVue's pages say | What you can do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retakes per question | Employer | "The number of re-takes allowed is set by the employer"; HireVue recommends "1-2 retries in addition to the first attempt" (explainability statement) | Read the instructions before your first answer |
| Thinking time before each answer | Employer | "0 - 5 minutes", recommended "60 seconds" (explainability statement) | Practise a short answer structure |
| Whether an AI assessment is added | Employer | "not all Hirevue interviews have an assessment added" (candidate FAQ) | Ask the recruiter |
| How long your data is kept | Employer | "the retention period" chosen by "the company that you're interviewing with" (candidate FAQ) | Send any deletion request to the employer |
| Accommodations | Employer | Ask "your recruiter or the hiring team at that company" (candidate FAQ) | Ask before you start |
| Device, place and time | You | "computer, tablet, phone"; "choose when and where" (candidate FAQ) | Pick a quiet, well-lit room and a charged device |
Types of HireVue questions
HireVue's candidate FAQ names three common types in video-based assessments. Situational judgement questions ask "what actions you would take when confronted with a hypothetical situation". In scenario-based simulations, "you'll act out your response, rather than explain it". Past behaviour questions ask you "to relate past experiences and previous challenges you've faced". The FAQ says assessments also cover "hard skills" for the job, so expect role-specific questions as well.
These examples are our own. They are illustrative, not real HireVue questions.
| Type | Illustrative question |
|---|---|
| Past behaviour | "Tell me about a time you had to deliver work to a tight deadline. What did you do, and what happened?" |
| Situational judgement | "A customer asks for a refund you are not allowed to approve. What would you do?" |
| Scenario-based simulation | "I am a customer who has just received the wrong order. Respond to me as you would at the counter." |
| Role-specific | "How would you check a monthly sales report for errors before it goes to your manager?" |
How HireVue scores answers
Where an interview is AI-scored, HireVue's explainability statement describes three stages: "(1) transcribing spoken words to text, (2) understanding what that text means and (3) assessing/scoring the candidate's answers". It says "our AI relies only on what is said by the candidate" and does not assess "facial expressions, body language, their background and surroundings, or tone-of-voice".
The candidate FAQ says an assessment "considers the whole context of a response, not just certain words here or there", and that HireVue "never uses the video recording of your interview in order to identify you". The statement says "the ultimate decision as to what action is taken based on that information always remains with the employer".
The statement is marked copyright 2022 and calls itself a "living document", so the current product may work differently.
HireVue interview tips
Most of HireVue's own advice is ordinary interview preparation. Our guide on how to prepare for an AI interview has more.
- Prepare "a list of brief stories about challenges you've faced, approaches you took, and results you achieved", as HireVue's tips page suggests. Its July 2025 article recommends the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Use the practice question, and record yourself and watch it back, as the July 2025 article suggests.
- Keep notes nearby. The tips page says "You can even keep your notes next to you in case you need a reminder".
- If you need an adjustment, ask early. The FAQ says you "may also be able to ask for the interview questions in advance".
Your interview data in Hong Kong and Singapore
HireVue's candidate FAQ says employers are "the controllers of interview data", so you should "send your deletion request to the company you're applying to".
In Hong Kong, the Privacy Commissioner's data access request form (OPS003) says the completed form "should be sent directly to the data user", who must comply "within 40 days after receiving the same". For data "recorded in an audio form, the data user may provide a transcript".
In Singapore, chapter 15 of the PDPC's Advisory Guidelines on Key Concepts in the PDPA (revised 29 April 2026) lists the exceptions to your right of access. They include "opinion data kept solely for an evaluative purpose", a purpose that covers suitability "for employment". So an employer may decline to show you its evaluation, though it "may do so if it decides to".
How a ROUND.1 interview differs
ROUND.1, a hiring marketplace for employers and job seekers in Hong Kong and Singapore built by h.work, runs its own AI first-round video interview. Its AI information page sets out the differences.
- Each candidate takes one interview, which ROUND.1 scores and reuses for the other roles the candidate chooses.
- It runs in a web browser with a camera and a microphone, and lasts about 20 minutes by default (roles can be shorter), 30 at most. The candidate first consents to the processing of their video and voice under Hong Kong's PDPO and Singapore's PDPA.
- There is one attempt and no restart. If the connection drops, the same interview can resume and continue, once by default (a role can allow more resumes or none).
- Scores are given competency by competency, each backed by transcript quotes. Accent, pronunciation, grammar, fluency, personality traits and protected characteristics are not scored. Each role uses one language, English or Mandarin Chinese.
- A company first sees the scored evaluation without the candidate's name or contact details, which open when it shortlists the candidate. A person at the company decides whom to hire.
This is general information, not legal advice; check the official source for your case.
Frequently asked questions
How does HireVue work?
In the most common format, an on-demand interview, the employer sends you a link. You check your microphone, try a practice question, then record video answers to set questions on a computer, tablet or phone at a time you choose. HireVue's candidate FAQ says you get several minutes per question. Recruiters review the answers, and some employers add an AI-scored assessment. HireVue also offers live video interviews and an AI interviewer.
What are common HireVue questions?
HireVue's candidate FAQ names three common types in its video-based assessments: situational judgement questions about what you would do in a hypothetical situation, scenario-based simulations where you act out your response, and past behaviour questions about challenges you have faced. Assessments also cover job knowledge and skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork. Prepare a few short stories about real challenges, what you did and the result.
Can you retake a HireVue interview?
It depends on the employer. HireVue's explainability statement says the employer sets the number of retakes for each question, and HireVue recommends one to two retries on top of the first attempt. HireVue's July 2025 tips article says some versions allow retakes and others do not, so read the instructions before your first answer. If your connection drops, HireVue's candidate FAQ says you can pick up where you left off with the same link.
Does HireVue use AI to score interviews?
Sometimes. HireVue's candidate FAQ says not all of its interviews have an assessment added. Where one is used, HireVue's explainability statement says the AI transcribes your speech, works out what the text means and scores it against competencies. It says the AI relies only on what you say, not on facial expressions, body language, background or tone of voice. HireVue says the employer makes the final decision, and its FAQ says hiring decisions are made by people.
How long is a HireVue interview?
HireVue's candidate FAQ says most video-based assessments take under 20 to 30 minutes and suggests setting aside 45 minutes to be safe. Its explainability statement describes a typical assessment as three to six video questions plus two to three short games, taking 15 to 25 minutes in all. The employer configures the interview, so check your invitation.
Sources (8)
- HireVue — Frequently asked questions for candidatesaccessed 2026-10-14
- HireVue — Candidate interview tipsaccessed 2026-10-14
- HireVue — 10+ virtual interview tips to help you stand out (31 July 2025)accessed 2026-10-14
- HireVue — Video Interviewing, on-demand or liveaccessed 2026-10-14
- HireVue — AI Intervieweraccessed 2026-10-14
