FAQs - Live Interview

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Introduction

Talview’s Live Interviews are designed to deliver a seamless and professional interview experience by combining real-time video communication with advanced security measures to ensure a fair, transparent, and fraud-free environment. This FAQ is designed to guide you through the complete interview experience, including how to prepare, what to expect during your interview. It also covers important topics like technical readiness, privacy and security, and where to get help if you face any issues during your live interview.

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1. Before You Begin

Q1. What is a Live interview experience? Live interviews are a secure, browser-based video interview experience that enables real-time, interactive interviews. Unlike traditional phone or video calls, the platform includes specialized collaboration tools such as live coding environments, whiteboarding, and screen sharing designed to thoroughly assess your skills and fit for the role. The platform also incorporates advanced security features including facial recognition and environment monitoring to maintain interview integrity. Q2. How do I access my interview? Step 1: Check your email inbox for an invitation from your recruiter or hiring organization. The email will contain a unique interview link and your scheduled date and time. Step 2: Click the “Join Interview” link provided in the invitation email. Step 3: Your browser will open the Live Interview platform. You may be asked to enter verification information or credentials. Step 4: Allow access to your camera and microphone when prompted by your browser.

NOTE: The entire process is browser-based, no downloads or installations are required. You can access the interview from any device with a supported web browser.

Q3. What devices can I use to join? A Live Interview is compatible with:

• Computers - Desktop or laptop (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
• Mobile Devices - Smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android)
• Browsers - Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox (latest versions recommended)

We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for the best experience, as it provides better video quality, stable positioning, and full access to all collaboration tools. If you must use a mobile device, ensure it has a strong internet connection and sufficient battery charge for the full interview duration. Q4. What technical requirements do I need to meet? To ensure a smooth interview experience, your device should meet these minimum specifications:

NOTE: If your device doesn’t meet these specifications, you may experience lag, video freezing, or audio dropouts. Contact your recruiter if you have concerns about your device’s compatibility

Q5. What internet connection do I need? A stable, high-speed internet connection is critical for a successful interview. Here are the requirements: Minimum Speed: 1 Mbps upload and 1 Mbps download Recommended Speed: 2 Mbps upload and 2 Mbps download Connection Type: Wired (Ethernet cable) or private Wi-Fi network is preferred. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks (cafes, libraries, hotels), as they are often unreliable and may have bandwidth restrictions. Before Your Interview

• Run a speed test at to confirm your internet speed
• Close bandwidth-heavy applications (video streaming, downloads, software updates)
• Ask other household members to pause their internet usage during your interview
• If using Wi-Fi, position your device close to the router for a stronger signal
• Have a backup internet connection ready (such as mobile hotspot) in case your primary connection fails

Pro Tip: Join your interview 5–10 minutes early to test your connection, camera, and microphone. Q6. How should I prepare my environment before the interview? Choose a quiet, well-lit, and private space where you will not be disturbed. Make sure:

• Your background is tidy and professional
• Your face is clearly visible (avoid sitting with a bright light directly behind you)
• You inform people around you not to interrupt during the scheduled time
• You silence mobile notifications and close distracting apps or tabs

Q7. Will I need to verify my identity or show my face? Yes. Live Interviews are often used with identity verification features. You may be asked to:

• Turn on your camera so your face can be captured
• Keep your face visible throughout the interview

NOTE: Always follow the on-screen instructions carefully for any verification steps.

Q8. Do I need to install any software or plugins? In most cases, no installation is required. Live Interviews run directly in your browser. You only need to:

• Use a supported browser
• Allow camera and microphone access when prompted
• Ensure no restrictive plugins or extensions are blocking media access

Q9. How early should I join my Live Interview? It is recommended to join at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time. This gives you enough time to:

• Complete the pre-join lobby checks (camera, mic, audio).
• Adjust your lighting and background.
• Resolve any basic technical issues before the interviewer joins.

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2. Interview Experience

Q1. What happens when I click on a Live Interview link? When you click the link, you will be taken to a pre-join screen or onboarding page. There, you may be asked to:

• Allow access to your camera and microphone
• Check your audio and video preview
• Review any instructions shared by the recruiter or platform

Once everything looks good, you can click to join the live interview room. Q2. Will I see who is in the interview room? You will generally see the number of participants in the interview, but you may not see full detailed information about each participant as interviewers do. This design keeps the interface simpler for you and reduces distractions. Q3. Can I share my screen during the interview? Yes, if your interviewers request it. You will see a “Share” option in the interface. When you select it, your browser will ask you to choose:

• A specific window
• A tab
• Or your entire screen

NOTE: Always close any personal or sensitive content before sharing.

Q4. What is “CodeJam” in the interview room? A collaborative code editor where you and your interviewer can write, edit, and test code in real-time. How It Work:

1. Your interviewer will share a coding problem or prompt
2. You’ll write code in the shared editor while your interviewer watches and listens
3. You can explain your thought process as you code
4. Your code can be executed and tested immediately, with results visible to both you and your interviewer
5. Your interviewer can provide feedback or ask follow-up questions about your approach

Q5. What is “Whiteboard” in the interview room? A digital whiteboard tool allows you to draw, write, and erase content to visually explain ideas. How It Works:

1. A blank whiteboard will appear on your screen
2. Use your mouse, keyboard, or stylus (if using a tablet) to draw, write, or sketch
3. You can illustrate concepts, create diagrams, draw flowcharts, or solve math problems
4. Your interviewer can see everything you draw in real-time
5. You can erase and modify your drawings as needed

Q6. Can I chat with the interviewer during the session? Yes. There is a chat panel where you can send text messages to all participants. This is helpful if:

• You have brief clarifying questions
• You are facing minor audio issues
• You want to share a link or quick text response if requested

Use chat professionally and only for interview related communication. Q7. Can I change between light and dark themes? Live Interviews usually allow you to switch between light and dark themes for comfort. You can find a theme toggle on the interface, which will change how the application looks without affecting the interview. Q8. Can I see my own video while talking? Yes, you will usually see a small preview of your own video feed along with the interviewer’s video. This helps you ensure that your face is visible, your lighting is good, and your camera angle is appropriate. Q9. What happens if the interviewer is late to join? If you join on time and do not see the interviewer immediately, stay in the room for at least 10 minutes. They may be joining from another meeting or dealing with delays. If no one joins after that, follow the instructions from your recruiter (for example, replying to the interview email or contacting support). Q10. Will I be notified when the interview is about to end? The interviewer may receive internal time-based notifications to help manage the session, which are not visible to you as a candidate. It is still a good practice to manage your time during answers and stay aware of the interview duration. Q11. Can I provide feedback about my interview experience? Yes. At the end of the session, you will see an option to rate your experience or share feedback about the interview and platform. This helps us and the hiring organization to improve future experiences. Q12. What should I do if I make a mistake or misunderstand a question? Treat the session like an in-person interview:

• Calmly ask for clarification if needed
• Acknowledge the misunderstanding briefly
• Correct your answer or approach Interviewers understand that virtual settings can be stressful; they are typically more interested in your overall capability and communication than perfection.

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3. Device Permissions

Q1. Why do I give permission to access to my camera and microphone? A Live Interview uses your camera and microphone, so you can be seen and heard during the interview, and so that identity verification can be completed if required. Without granting these permissions, you may not be able to join or fully participate in the session. Q2. How do I allow camera and microphone access in my browser? When you first join the interview room, your browser will display a pop‑up requesting permission. To allow access:

• In Chrome/Edge/Firefox, click “Allow” when asked for camera and microphone access
• If you previously blocked access, click thelock icon next to the URL, go to “Site settings,” and set Camera and Microphone to “Allow,” then refresh the page

Always test this well before the scheduled start time. Q3. What if my camera is not being detected? If your camera is not detected:

• Make sure no other apps (like Zoom, Teams, or Skype) are using the camera
• Check your system’s privacy settings to ensure the browser has camera access
• Try unplugging and reconnecting your external webcam
• Switch to a different USB port if using an external device
• Refresh the browser or restart it and try joining again

Q4. What if my microphone is not working? If your microphone does not work:

• Confirm that the correct microphone is selected in device settings
• Check your operating system’s sound settings to ensure the mic is enabled and not muted
• If using a headset, ensure it is properly plugged in or paired via Bluetooth
• Close other applications that may be using the microphone
• Refresh the page after making changes

Q5. Can I switch devices (camera or microphone) during the interview? Yes, you can usually switch devices from within the meeting via the “Device Settings” option. There you can select a different camera, microphone, or speaker device. Make the change during a natural pause and confirm with the interviewer that they can still see and hear you.

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4. Troubleshooting & Support

Q1. What should I do if the interview link does not open? If clicking the link does nothing or shows an error:

• Copy and paste the link directly into the address bar of a supported browser
• Check that you have a stable internet connection
• Make sure there are no typos in the link
• Try another supported browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox)

If the issue persists, contact your recruiter or the support channel mentioned in your invitation email. Q2. What if I am disconnected in the middle of the interview? If you get disconnected:

• Reconnect to your internet (or switch to a more stable connection)
• Reopen the same interview link and rejoin the room
• Inform the interviewer, once you’re back, that you temporarily lost connection

NOTE: Do this as quickly as possible so that the session can continue smoothly.

Q3. What can I do if my video is freezing or lagging? Video freezing is often due to network speed or congestion. Try:

• Closing all non-essential tabs and background apps
• Moving closer to your Wi‑Fi router or switching to a wired connection

Q4. My face is not detected, or I receive a “Face not detected” message. What should I do? If the system cannot detect your face:

• Ensure your camera is turned on and not covered
• Sit directly in front of the camera, with your entire face clearly visible
• Improve lighting so your face is not in shadow
• Avoid sitting too far from the camera

Once your face is clearly visible, the message should resolve automatically or upon retry. Q5. What if I am asked to verify my identity and it fails? If an identity verification step fails:

• Ensure your face is clearly visible and matches your earlier photo or ID
• Remove hats, sunglasses, or anything that obscures your face
• Hold any ID document steady and within frame, if requested
• Retry the process patiently, following on‑screen instructions

Q6. I cannot hear the interviewer, but they can hear me. What should I check? If you cannot hear the interviewer:

• Check that your speakers or headset are correctly selected in device settings
• Verify that your system volume and browser tab volume are not muted
• Test audio using another website or music/video app
• If needed, disconnect and reconnect your audio device

Use chat to inform the interviewer while you fix the issue. Q7. The interviewer cannot hear me. How do I fix this quickly? If the interviewer cannot hear you:

• Ensure that your microphone is not muted in platform
• Confirm that the correct microphone is selected in device settings
• Check your system’s audio input settings
• Try unplugging and reconnecting your headset or microphone

Q8. How can I make sure my device is ready before the actual interview? To prepare your device:

• Restart your computer or mobile device before the interview time
• Close non-essential applications
• Run the Speed test **and **Video diagnostics test
• Check your internet speed and stability
• Join the interview link 10–15 minutes early to complete all checks

Q9. I received an error saying my browser or OS is not supported. What now? If you see a compatibility error:

• Switch to a supported browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox)
• Update your browser to the latest version
• Use a device with a supported operating system (Windows 10+, macOS 12.7.2+, supported Linux)

If you cannot access a supported device, inform your recruiter as early as possible.