Mastering HireVue: Complete Guide to Automated Video Interviews

With the widespread adoption of AI, the recruitment process in high finance (and other roles) has fundamentally shifted. Gone are the days when a firm handshake and a polished résumé guaranteed you a seat at the table. Today, before you ever meet a human recruiter, you might face an algorithm. HireVue, the leading automated video interview platform, has become the initial screening stage for positions at companies such as Goldman Sachs, Unilever, Hilton, and hundreds of Fortune 500 organisations. To succeed, you need to understand best practices, pitfalls, and ways to pass this stage.

What Exactly Is HireVue?

Best Practices for HireVue Success

Some websites cater to HireVue preparation with personalised feedback, specifically for high-finance roles.

Master Your Environment

Your recording environment speaks before you do. Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background. Natural light facing you works best; avoid backlighting that turns you into a silhouette. Position your camera at eye level, stacking books under your laptop works perfectly. Test your audio beforehand; a tinny sound or echo can distract from even the strongest answers.

Dress the Part, Fully

Wear professional attire. And yes, wear pants. The temptation to go business-casual from the waist down is real, but if you need to adjust your position or stand unexpectedly, you’ll thank yourself. Dressing professionally also psychologically primes you for performance mode.

Speak to the Camera, Not the Screen

This is counterintuitive but critical. Your instinct will be to look at your own image or the question text. Fight it. Looking directly into the camera lens creates the impression of eye contact with whoever reviews your recording. Practice this; it feels awkward at first, but it makes an enormous difference in how engaging you appear.

Structure Your Responses

With limited time and no interviewer to guide you, structure becomes your anchor. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) remains the gold standard for behavioural questions. For competency-based questions, lead with your conclusion, then support it with evidence. Aim for responses between 60–90 seconds unless otherwise specified, long enough to be substantive, short enough to maintain attention.

Use the Preparation Time Wisely

When you see a question, resist the urge to start formulating your opening line immediately. Instead, jot down key bullet points. What specific example will you use? What was the outcome? Having a roadmap prevents the rambling that often derails otherwise qualified candidates.

Practice, But Don’t Over-Rehearse

Record yourself answering common questions. Watch the playback critically. Are you speaking too fast? Do you have distracting verbal tics? Is your energy appropriate? However, avoid memorising scripts word-for-word. Over-rehearsed responses sound robotic-ironic, given you’re being assessed by AI. Aim for conversational fluency, not theatrical performance.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

The Countdown Panic

Watching seconds tick away while you’re mid-thought triggers panic in many candidates. Practice with timed responses beforehand. Know approximately how long 90 seconds feels. If you run short, don’t pad with filler; wrap up confidently. If you’re running long, conclude with your key point rather than trailing off.

Technical Negligence

Nothing derails an interview like frozen video or choppy audio. Use a wired internet connection if possible. Close unnecessary applications. Have your phone nearby as a backup device. HireVue typically allows you to re-record practice questions, so use those to verify your setup before the scored questions begin.

Treating It as Informal

The absence of a live interviewer can lull candidates into casualness. Some candidates slouch, use excessive slang, or let their energy drop.

Remember: this recording represents you. Maintain the same professionalism you would in a face-to-face interview.

Ignoring the Company Context

Generic responses signal generic candidates. Research the company beforehand. Weave in specific knowledge about their values, recent initiatives, or industry position. This demonstrates genuine interest and separates you from candidates giving one-size-fits-all answers.

The Psychological Game

Automated interviews feel unnatural because they are. To 90% of candidates, this does not feel natural. Talking to a screen without feedback challenges even seasoned communicators and can be quite intimidating. Recognise it, acknowledge this discomfort, and push through it. Some candidates find it helpful to imagine a friendly interviewer just behind the camera. Whatever mental setting helps you bring confidence and authenticity, use it to your advantage.

Final Thoughts

If your goal is to land the highly coveted spring week or summer internship programmes in finance, HireVue and similar platforms aren’t going away and are here to stay. Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes. Rather than viewing this as an obstacle, treat it as an opportunity to refine how you present yourself as well as an opportunity to practise your elevator pitch.

The skills you build, like clear communication, structured thinking, and technical preparation, will serve you well beyond any single application. Approach your HireVue interview with preparation, professionalism, and a touch of personality. The algorithm may be evaluating your words, but there’s still a human on the other end making the final call. Give them a reason to want to meet you in person.