8 Common HireVue Interview Questions and Tips for Acing Your Video Interview

It seems like everything is virtual or relies on AI these days, and one particular hiring platform that many businesses currently use is HireVue. If you’re in the job market, many companies have started using this platform or other virtual or video interviews to do an initial screening of your application. While taking these video interviews as seriously as a real-life interview is a good idea, you will encounter some differences that you may need some time to get used to. 

Furthermore, if you’re applying for a position at a major corporation, several already use this technology. According to HireVue's website, organizations like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Mercedes-Benz, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills rely on technology to find the right job candidates. Additionally, Resume Builder conducted a survey in June of 2023, which found that by 2024, 43 percent of companies will be employing AI interviews or are planning to do so [1]. If you're currently looking for a job or will be in the near future, it's possible you'll encounter this platform. These HireVue interview questions and general video interview tips will help prepare you.

What is HireVue?

HireVue is a tech company that provides a virtual job interview platform, which many organizations use to screen candidates and automate the initial part of the hiring process. If you apply for a job and the organization asks you to complete a HireVue interview, you'll get a chance to answer a series of predetermined questions via video and submit them for evaluation. The specific process for a HireVue interview will differ depending on the organization you apply to. 

Once you complete the interview, HireVue's unique technology transcribes your answers and analyzes your body language to help that company determine if you'd be a good fit for the job. That means how you present yourself is just as important as the answers to your questions. HireVue's AI technology looks at your speech, tone, pronunciation of words, and your body language while you answer the questions. If the organization likes your interview, you may have a chance to conduct a more traditional interview with a representative. 

Why do companies use HireVue for interviews? 

Companies across numerous industries, ranging from major car brands to health care, use HireVue because it allows organizations to streamline the initial screening process. It's particularly popular with larger organizations that receive many applications. Rather than spend time interviewing applicants who may not be the right fit in person, these basic video interviews help narrow down the field. These video interviews also provide more personal insight into you beyond what is written on your resume.

What are some common HireVue interview questions? 

Taking part in a virtual interview may be a new process for you, but if you've ever applied for a job, you might already be familiar with the most common HireVue interview questions. While they'll vary from organization to organization, your video interview typically comprises common behavioral questions asked during most job interviews.

 1. Tell me about a time you worked on a team. 

What they're really asking: 

In many job situations, you'll have to collaborate with your coworkers, and this question gives an organization an idea of how well you work with others. Interviewers also use it to gauge your teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills. Your answers may also give the interviewer an idea of the environment where you thrive and do your best work.

How to answer:

To answer this question, think back to a time when you worked with a team. If you have previous job experience, use that, but if you don't, you can recall a time when you worked with a team in school. If possible, choose an experience that closely relates to situations you might encounter at this prospective job. Focus on positive experiences, such as accomplishing goals or moments when you demonstrated leadership. If you must bring up a negative experience, spin it to make it positive. For example, maybe your team didn't meet a goal, but you strategized to devise ways to do so the next time you had a similar goal. 

Other forms this question might take:

• What role do you typically play on a team? 

• Tell me about a time when you showcased your teamwork skills.

• Have you ever found it difficult to work with a team?

• What would you do if a teammate wasn't pulling their weight?

2. Why do you want to work for this company? 

What they're really asking: 

Interviews often include this question because the organization wants to know if you align with their goals and values. If you provide a good answer, it shows you've done your research and truly understand what the organization is all about. It also shows that you're truly interested in the role, being a part of the organization's team, and being successful.

How to answer:

Before you go into an interview, research the company to prepare an answer. For example, if the company recently reached a milestone, you can mention it, or if you discover something in their mission statement you can identify with, you can mention that. Feel free to raise this point if it's a company that has interested you for a long time, either as a consumer or a potential employee. Be sure to cite something specific when you answer this question. Don't hesitate to explain why you're excited about the potential of working there, and consider telling them what you can bring to the organization to help it achieve its goals. 

Other forms this question might take:

• Why choose this company over our competitors? 

• What does this company do better than our competitors? 

• What is your understanding of this company's [insert your prospective job area ] division or department?

3. How would other people describe your work ethic? 

What they're really asking: 

Think of this question as two questions in one: It's the classic "How would other people describe you?" interview question, but it also focuses on your work ethic. The organization wants to know about your integrity, which comes from describing your work ethic, but it also gives them a sense of how self-aware you are when you describe yourself the way others might. 

How to answer:

Start by thinking about the positive parts of your work ethic and how other people would describe it. You can come up with a list before you participate in the interview. Then, choose the answers that best line up with the job description. If something on your list matches the language there, use it. You can also think back to previous performance reviews and conversations you may have had with bosses, coworkers, fellow students, teachers, and other people you've worked with in various situations. For example, if an organization mentions that they're looking for someone who is a team player, you could talk about a time that you worked on a team and took extra time after hours to help someone who was falling behind.

Other forms this question might take: 

• What does having a good work ethic mean to you? 

• How would other people describe you? 

• Describe a time when you put in extra effort at work. 

4. Tell me about a time you had to make a quick decision. 

What they're really asking: 

No matter the company, industry, or position to which you apply, decision-making skills are an important part of being an employee. This question allows employers to gauge how well you make decisions and the process you might use. Several other skills can be a part of your decision-making process, like creativity, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving, and it allows employers to learn more about your previous experiences. 

How to answer:

Consider using the STAR method—"situation, task, action, and result"—to answer this question about quick decision-making. Start by briefly describing the situation to provide context for your example. Next, describe your role for the “task” section, what part you were responsible for, and whether you were working alone or with others. Then, describe the action you took to reach the goal. This will be the longest part of your response. During this part of your answer, you can include any skills or traits you used. Finally, explain the result and how your action had a direct impact. 

Other forms this question might take:

• Tell me about a time you made a split-second decision without limited information.

• Tell me about a time technology assisted you in making a decision. 

5. Why did you select your major, and do you believe you made the correct decision? 

What they're really asking: 

At first glance, this question might seem like the organization is just getting to know you, which may be part of why they ask. However, explaining why you chose your college major tells them about your future plans and career goals. For example, if you've had a lifelong goal of working in a certain industry and you chose that major because of it, it might show the company that you will stick around if you get the job, as well as how determined you are to meet your goals when you set them. The question could also tell them you're passionate about a topic that aligns with the organization's mission.

How to answer:

Answer this question by giving a brief but genuine reason. For example, maybe you grew up taking in stray dogs, which led to an interest in veterinary science, or maybe you had a sibling who was sick when you were younger, making you want to become a nurse. Next, talk about the skills you learned from choosing this major and how you've applied them in your life, whether in school, at a previous job, or in a more personal situation. Finally, explain why choosing that major makes you a good fit for that job and that organization. 

Other forms this question might take:

• What are your passions?

• Why did you choose this career path?

6. What are your strengths and weaknesses? 

What they're really asking: 

This is a common interview question designed to showcase several aspects of your personality. Of course, there's the obvious reason—the organization wants to know your strengths and weaknesses. However, it’s also asked to determine how self-aware you are, how motivated you are to overcome challenges, and how your strengths meet the needs of the job.

How to answer:

Answering with your strengths is usually the easy part. Focus on the traits and skills listed in the job description to show you're fit for the position. For example, if the organization is looking for someone with good people skills, say that you're a great communicator who thrives while working with a team, and if you have time, give an example of when you've proven that in your past. 

As for your weaknesses, be honest, but don't paint yourself in a bad light. The Harvard Business Review recommends replacing the word "weakness" with "challenge" when framing your answer, as well as avoiding cliches like "I work too hard" [2]. Instead, focus on a skill you have that is easily corrected. For example, if you struggle with a certain type of software, explain why but follow up with ways you're working to improve that skill. 

Other forms this question might take:

• Tell me about an instance in which you failed and the lesson you learned from it. 

• Give me an example of a time you persisted.

• How would your colleagues describe your strengths and weaknesses? 

7. What are your long-term career plans? 

What they're really asking: 

When an organization asks about your career plans, it usually wants to know how committed you are to the organization and growing or advancing your career within it. However, your answer to this question also tells them if you are goal-oriented and how well you can set realistic, achievable goals. 

How to answer:

The answer to this one will probably be somewhat straightforward. State your long-term career plans and explain what you've done so far to achieve them, such as choosing a certain major or earning a certification. Additionally, you might mention the desire to become a manager one day and then share the steps, such as leadership training, you'll take to get there and how working at that organization can help.

Other forms this question might take:

• What are your career goals? 

• Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years? 

8. Tell me about a failure and what lesson you learned from it.

What they're really asking: 

This question is similar to "What are your weaknesses?" because the organization wants to know how you deal with adversity. You'll want to emphasize how you overcame the failure and what you learned from it rather than the failure itself. 

How to answer:

This is another opportunity to use the STAR (situation, task, action, and result) method. Briefly describe the situation and your role or task in it. Talk about what you did—the action—to overcome it, and the result would be the lesson you learned. Make sure you keep your answer honest and realistic. An organization doesn't want to hear that your biggest failure was "working too hard." Everyone makes mistakes. They want to know how you handle them. 

Other forms this question might take:

• What are your weaknesses? 

• Tell me about a time you faced rejection and how you handled it. 

• Tell me about a time you were persistent. 

Tips for acing any video interview

HireVue interviews and video interviews are becoming increasingly common in the workforce, and knowing several tips can help you succeed. Preparing for your interview in advance is one way to ensure you ace it. Start with these tips:

• Practice: Use these HireVue interview questions and any others you can find and practice your answers in advance. HireVue also offers a practice interview you can take before completing the real one, but only if you’re scheduled for one of their OnDemand interviews.

• Dress appropriately: Treat your virtual interview like an in-person one. Wear your interview outfit and be well-groomed. 

• Remember your body language: Even though you aren't in the same room with an interviewer, the video will still pick up on body language issues, like poor posture or lack of eye contact. 

• Choose the right environment: You don’t have to follow any rules regarding where you complete your interview, but you'll want to pick a quiet space where no one will interrupt you and a location with good lighting. 

• Stay natural: You don't want your answers to sound memorized or rehearsed, and you don't want to sound like you're reading them, so avoid using a cheat sheet. Again, answer like you would if you were talking to an actual human being.

Getting started with Coursera 

A successful interview can help you land your dream job. Learn more about how to do well in your next job interview by taking a course that can help you prepare. On Coursera, you'll find several offerings from some of the world's top businesses and educational institutions, such as Land Your Next Role, offered by Aptly, or Interview Research and Preparation, offered by the University of Maryland.