How to Prepare for Your HireVue Assessment

If you’ve been invited to a HireVue Assessment, you may not know what to expect. HireVue Assessments are a little different than the multiple-choice assessment tests that you may have encountered in the past. In this article, we’ll explore what to expect from your assessment, and how to prepare for success.

Your HireVue Assessment: What to Expect

Your HireVue Assessment might look different depending on the company you applied to, and the role you applied for:

• Video-Based Assessment. In a video-based assessment, you’ll record your responses to a series of interview questions in your internet browser (on desktop computers) or on the HireVue App (on mobile devices). This is just like an on-demand video interview; you can complete it at the time that works best for you.
• Game-Based Assessment. In a game-based assessment, you’ll complete a series of short games in your internet browser (on desktop) or on the HireVue App (on mobile). Just like a video-based assessment, you can complete your game-based assessment anytime, anywhere.
• Video-Based Assessment + Game-Based Assessment. This is just what it sounds like. After responding to the video portion of the assessment, you’ll also play a series of short games.

When you start the experience, we will tell you what type of assessment – or combination of assessments – you’ll see.

Here’s how you can ensure you do your very best on a HireVue Assessment:

How to Prepare for a Video-Based Assessment

In a video-based assessment, you’ll respond to a series of interview questions on your computer or smartphone. The entire experience is on-demand: you can complete the interview whenever, wherever. In this case, the interview will be evaluated like an assessment. Just like the multiple-choice pre-hire tests you might be used to, we’ll use the interview to highlight your specific, job-related competencies, like communication and problem-solving skills.

For example, for some customer-facing jobs, your interview may contain a question about how you would respond to an angry customer and you would be prompted to respond by recording an answer on video as if you were addressing that customer. In job roles such as these, your empathy, friendliness, and ability to address the emotions of the angry customer are critical.

What to Expect

In a video-based assessment, you’ll be presented with a question – either written or in video form – and be given several minutes to respond to each question. Most video-based assessments include between 5 and 8 questions.

Choosing Your Space

The first step to prepare for a video-based assessment is to choose your space. Remember that your responses will likely be viewed by recruiters and hiring managers. You should make sure you are in a well-lit environment, and try to ensure you have a good internet connection. That said, if you do lose connection in the middle of your assessment, you’ll be able to pick up where you left off with the same link you used to begin the interview previously.

Also, be aware that the employer will be able to see what is in the background of your video. While most video-based assessments take under 20-30 minutes to complete, you should set aside 45 minutes to stay on the safe side.

Preparing for the Video-Based Assessment

As you prepare for your video-based assessment, consider these tips. If some look familiar, this is because they are applicable to any interview situation. The same tips that help you succeed in a traditional interview will also help you succeed in a video-based assessment.

• Research the company you applied to – their culture, their values, their products – and be prepared to speak to how your skills align
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of the role you applied for
• Be prepared to share your personal and professional experiences, the lessons you learned, and the results you achieved
• Be familiar with the different types of interview questions, and come into the assessment with approaches in mind for responding to each type.

Common types of questions you’ll see in a video-based assessment are:

• Situational judgment questions. You’ll be asked what actions you would take when confronted with a hypothetical situation.
• Scenario-based simulations. You’ll be asked to simulate your actions in a hypothetical scenario. The key difference between this type of question and a situational judgment question is that you’ll act out your response, rather than explain it.
• Past behavior questions. You’ll be asked to relate past experiences and previous challenges you’ve faced.

Unlike a typical interview, you can complete a video-based assessment anytime, anywhere. You should take advantage of this. Be sure to take your assessment during the time of day you feel sharpest and most alert.

Can I Trick/Study/Practice for a Video-Based Assessment?

Beyond practicing like you would for any interview, no. Each video-based assessment is designed to look at a unique set of personal competencies shown to be related to success in a particular job. There isn’t a cheat, hack, or trick.

You should also remember that if you pass the assessment, your video interview will be reviewed by recruiters and hiring managers. So even if you could “cheat” the assessment by repeating the word “radish” over and over again (spoiler alert: this won’t work), it’s doubtful the company you interviewed with will be impressed by your ability to recite the names of vegetables.

Aside from traditional interview preparation, there is no way to study for a HireVue video-based assessment. HireVue does not work with any third parties to provide “training” or “preparation” services.

Frequently Asked Questions: Video-Based Assessments

Q: Do I need to maintain “eye contact” with my camera?

A: Not necessarily. A HireVue video-based assessment is looking at tens of thousands of factors. One little movement or individual factor makes very little difference in the overall score. Do what feels most natural to you.

Q: Does a video-based assessment look for “keywords”?

A: A HireVue video-based assessment considers the whole context of a response, not just certain words here or there. If you think of a multiple-choice assessment, you are often presented with a scenario and a list of potential actions, then prompted to choose the one that best fits what you would do. The same sort of evaluation happens in a video-based assessment. The key difference is that you can verbally describe the action you would take, rather than shoehorn your approach into one of several given options.

Q: What sorts of competencies are evaluated in a video-based assessment?

A: Video-based assessments evaluate typically “soft” competencies, like communication skills, conscientiousness, problem-solving skills, team orientation, and initiative. The competencies in your video assessment are selected by psychologists to reflect the skills and characteristics that are most important in being able to perform well in the given job role.

Q: Is this facial recognition technology?

A: No. HireVue does not use facial recognition technology or track facial features for identity recognition purposes.

How to Prepare for a Game-Based Assessment

In a game-based assessment, you’ll complete a series of short games designed to measure skills relevant to your job role. Just like your video-based assessment, you can complete the games whenever, wherever. HireVue games are designed specifically to assess psychological traits and cognitive skills that are relevant in the workplace and related to high performance at work. They are based on decades of psychological research and mimic tasks successfully used in traditional assessments to predict job performance.

You might notice that the challenges you need to solve resemble those in traditional assessment – just in a more engaging, game-based format. At the beginning of each game, you can see a summary of the skills that are being assessed.

What to Expect

In a game-based assessment, you’ll play a series of short games. Each game takes approximately 3 minutes to complete and comes with its own instructions. Some of the games may remind you of “brain-teaser” type games. Other games take on a chatbot based format, where you are required to respond to incoming text messages. Game-based assessments can be played in your internet browser (on desktop) or the HireVue App (on mobile).

Choosing Your Space

Game-based assessments often require a high degree of concentration and focus. Finding a distraction-free area is one of the most important steps you can take to succeed on a game-based assessment. While some game-based assessments last only 7 minutes, others may last 15-20. You should set aside around 30 minutes of distraction-free time to stay on the safe side.

Preparing for the Game-Based Assessment

There are several steps you can take to prepare for a game-based assessment:

• Charge or plug in your device of choice. Ensure the device you are taking the assessment on is fully charged or plugged in.
• Take your assessment at a time when you are most awake and sharp. Most games require a high degree of focus; you’ll be most successful if you take your assessment when you are most alert.
• Read the instructions carefully. Make sure you understand what the game is all about before you start playing. The rules are simple and intuitive, and it might be tempting to just start. But reading the instructions is worthwhile.
• Give yourself a breather between games. Take a second to relax after each game, so you can begin the next game fully refreshed and focused.

Can I Trick/Study/Practice for a Game-Based Assessment?

The best preparation for a game-based assessment is ensuring you are well-rested and sharp. Aside from the tips above, there are no “cheat codes” or “hacks” for a game-based assessment. HireVue does not work with, or endorse, any third parties claiming to offer “preparation” or “training” services.

Frequently Asked Questions: Game-Based Assessments

Q: What sort of competencies are evaluated in a game-based assessment?

A: Game-based assessments evaluate a range of competencies. This includes skills related to cognitive ability or emotional intelligence. Cognitive ability game-based assessments test skills like numeracy, working memory, problem-solving, and creativity. Emotional intelligence game-based assessments test soft skills like emotional management and communication skills. Before playing each game, you can see which skills are being evaluated in the game.

Q: Can I practice the game-based assessment?

A: Before you start playing each game, you are provided with instructions to explain what you are expected to do. The game then starts with some easy levels so you can get used to the game format and task before levels increase in complexity.

Q: I don’t play computer games. Will I be able to do well?

A: Our games are designed to be easy and intuitive for non-gamers. You will see that the tasks are mentally challenging, but the game format is easy to follow and interact with. Presenting our assessment challenges in a game-based format allows us to make them as engaging as possible, and to motivate you to perform at your best.

Q: Will the games work with a poor internet connection?

A: Just like with our video assessments, if your internet connection is interrupted your game progress is saved and you can resume once your connection is stable. Our games are also designed to be lightweight and work with slower internet connections.

Need more help with your assessment?

Visit our Candidate Help Center