On-demand voice interview questions

When you configure questions for on-demand voice interviews, you specify the type of question you want to use (audio or text), and then create the content for that question. All on-demand voice questions are required, which means candidates must reply to each question to move to the next.

Automated vs. human introductions

When you create an on-demand voice interview, Hirevue automatically includes an introduction that describes the interview process and provides instructions about how to use the keypad to perform functions (such as repeating the question or moving to the next response).

By default, introductory text and all interview prompts are spoken by an automated voice. However, Hirevue can be configured during implementation to record a human voice speaking the introduction. If your application was customized in this manner, your candidates will hear a human voice speaking, rather than an automated voice. Best practice is to record a human voice to ensure a more personalized candidate experience.

Question types

Audio question

Use audio questions when you want to record a human voice speaking the question, rather than Hirevue's automated voice.

Important: Recording audio questions with a human voice can result in a better interview experience for your candidates. However when recording an audio question, you must be sure to speak all of the information candidates will need to respond to the question. For example, if you are recording a question that asks candidates to select a single select option in their response, you must specify the available options when recording your question (for example, "Are you eligible to work in the U.S.? For yes, press 1. For no, press 2.").

To use this question type, configure the following settings:

Question: Contains a text version of the recorded question. The text you enter in this field is not displayed to candidates. Rather it appears wherever the question is listed (job edit and review pages) to help you identify the question content without listening to the audio clip.
Audio: Audio recording controls that lets you record the audio file you want to play for candidates. If you are recording an audio question for a single select response, be sure to include the keypad numbers that correspond to each response. For example, if you want candidates to reply Yes or No, then tell them "Press 1 for Yes, and 2 for No." Single select keypad options correspond to the order in which the options are listed in the answer.
Upload: Opens a window where you can select and upload an .mp3 audio file from your computer you want to play for candidates. Audio files must be .mp3 or .m4a files no larger than 100MB.

Text question (default)

Use text questions if you want to type a question that Hirevue's automated voice will read to the candidate. When you use text questions, candidates initiate the on-demand voice interview, and then respond to questions spoken by the automated voice for the duration of the interview.

While text questions can save you time during job and question creation, be aware using an automated voice to speak to candidates can potentially detract from the candidate experience. To record questions using a human voice, see the previous section on audio questions.

When creating a text question, pay special attention to the character limits listed below, as surpassing them can result in a negative candidate experience. To use this question type, configure the following field:

Question: Text field that contains the question you want Hirevue's automated voice to repeat to candidates. When using a text question, the Question field only needs to include the question itself, not the answer selection options. If you are using a single select answer with a text question, Hirevue automatically provides the selections and keypad numbers to candidates after speaking the text question.

When using text questions, be sure to spell out any abbreviations or acronyms. The system reads the text exactly as written, which means if you write "$15/hr", the system does not know to translate "hr" to "hour". Candidates can become confused by the way in which the system pronounces the word "hr", not understanding that it actually means "hour".

Answer formats

When you configure answers for on-demand voice interviews, you specify the type of response you want to collect, as well as system settings and recording options you want Hirevue to use when collecting candidate responses. On-demand voice interviews require candidates respond to each question.

Audio (default)

Audio answers require candidates listen to the question, wait until they hear a beep, and then speak into the phone to answer the interview question.

When using this response type, configure the following settings:

Response Time: Determines whether candidates have an unlimited length of time to respond or whether they must complete their response within a defined time limit. If you are restricting the amount of time to respond, then you can enter the length of time (in minutes and seconds) that candidates have to answer the question. When the time limit expires, the system ends recording and moves to the next question.

Important: Candidates are not notified of the time limit for completing their response. Best practice is to create a question in which you explain the time limit to candidates before they begin.

Single select answers

Single select answers require candidates select one answer from a list when answering the interview question. For example, if you want candidates to answer a yes or no question, you can use a single select answer to ensure they can only select one of the answer options you provide (yes or no). When you use single select answers in an on-demand voice interview, candidates are presented with a list of selections and asked to press the key that corresponds to their response.

When you use a single select answer, you can also assign scores to each answer, which helps you to quickly evaluate and rate candidates based on their response. For more information about how to score candidates, see Scoring.

When using this response type, configure the following settings:

Response Time: Determines whether candidates have an unlimited length of time to respond or whether they must complete their response within a defined time limit. If you are restricting the amount of time to respond, then you can enter the length of time (in minutes and seconds) that candidates have to answer the question. When the time limit expires, the system ends recording and moves to the next question.

Important: Candidates are not notified of the time limit for completing their response. Best practice is to create a question in which you explain the time limit to candidates before they begin.
Single Select Choice: Defines the single select choices you want to present to candidates during an on-demand voice interview.

You can create up to eight choices. The system assigns numerical values in the order choices appear in this list. You must enter at least two choices for each single select field you define.

Important: Since number "9" on the keypad is assigned to the system option of "Repeat the Question", do not include more than 8 single select options.
Score: Specifies the candidate score you want to assign to each answer selection. Candidates do not see assigned scores. For more information, see Assessments.

Review format

Review format is the same for all interview types. For more information and a description of the fields available in the Review Format section, see Interview questions (Review format).

Scoring

Scoring lets you assign values to candidate responses when creating multiple choice and multiple select answers. When you assign scores to a multiple choice or multiple select answer, then you can rate and prioritize candidates based on the answer they select. Scores are not visible to candidates.

For example, if you want to know if candidates are willing to travel, you can create a text question that asks candidates to select "Yes" if they are willing to travel, and "No" if they are not. You can then create a multiple-choice answer with two choices (Yes and No), and assign a score of 100 to Yes and 0 to No.

When reviewing candidates, you can rate, prioritize, or advance candidates by their question score. For more information about advancing candidates based on score, see Advancement.