Interviewer FAQs - Live Interviews

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Introduction

Talview’s Live Interviews are designed to help interviewers and hiring managers conduct efficient, engaging, and secure candidate assessments across geographies. This FAQ is designed specifically for interviewers, panel members, and evaluators who facilitate and assess candidate live interviews.

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1. Before You Begin

Q1. What are Live Interviews and how does it differ from traditional video conferencing? Live Interviews are a purpose-built interviewing experience that goes beyond standard video conferencing by integrating specialized assessment tools, real-time candidate verification, built-in evaluation forms, and AI-powered analytics. Unlike generic video tools (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet), Live interviews provides:

• Integrated coding environments (CodeJam) for technical assessments
• Digital whiteboarding for design and problem-solving discussions
• Real-time candidate verification and identity authentication
• Structured evaluation forms within the interview interface
• Interview Insights analytics to detect bias and measure interviewer effectiveness

Q2.  Do I need special setup or training before conducting my first Live Interview? Yes. Before your first interview, you should:

• Receive access credentials and login information from your organization’s administrator
• Complete basic platform orientation (usually provided by your HR or recruiting team)
• Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection.
• Familiarize yourself with evaluation forms and question templates your organization uses
• Review your organization’s interview guidelines and protocols.

Q3. What candidate information is available to me before the interview? You can access these by logging into the Workflow Tools platform:

• Resume/CV - Full employment history and qualifications
• Profile Details - Information the candidate provided during application (education, experience, skills)
• Job Description - Current role requirements and responsibilities

Q4.  What is the “Interview Builder” and how do I use it during preparation? Interview Builder is an AI-powered tool which is available during the interview on the side panel, it provides:

• Pre-built Question Templates - Role-specific, bias-free questions relevant to the job
• Customizable Question Sets - Behavioral, situational, competency-based, and technical questions
• Follow-up Suggestions - AI recommendations for probing deeper into candidate responses
• Question Consistency - Ensures all candidates for the same role receive similar core questions

Q5. 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. Q6. 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

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2. Interview Experience

Q1. What should I do 10 minutes before the scheduled interview? Final preparation steps:

• Join the Pre-Join Lobby - Click the interview link 10 mins before the interview
• Test Your Video - Ensure your camera is on and your face is clearly visible
• Test Your Audio - Verify your microphone is working and speakers are at appropriate volume
• Check Your Background - Confirm your environment is professional and tidy
• Review Candidate Info - Info can be checked in the email or in the platform
• Mute Distractions - Silence phone notifications, close non-essential tabs and apps

Q2. How do I know when the candidate has joined the interview room? When a candidate joins:

• Their video feed will appear on your screen
• You may see a notification saying “Candidate [Name] has joined”
• If you’re using a participant list, their name will appear
• The chat or meeting status may update to show increased participant count

Q3. How do I use the Interview Builder or question templates during the live interview? During the interview:

• Your question templates and Ask AI option are accessible on your screen (usually in a sidebar or from the interview menu)
• Use Ask AI to manually generate additional questions during the interview based on the job description and role requirements
• Reference the suggested questions while maintaining eye contact and a natural conversation flow
• Don’t read questions verbatim; use them as a guide and ask them naturally
• Follow up on interesting responses with deeper or probing questions
• Review follow-up suggestions from Interview Builder or Ask AI, but adapt them to the candidate’s actual response
• Take notes on the candidate’s answers for evaluation later

The templates and AI-generated questions are meant to support your judgment, not make the interview feel scripted. Q4. What do real-time device monitoring alerts mean and how should I respond? You may receive notifications during the interview: Q5. What if I notice multiple faces or people in the candidate’s video? If multi-face detection triggers:

• Stay calm and professional; there are often legitimate reasons
• Ask: “I notice there may be someone else in the room with you. Can you confirm you’re in a private space?”
• The candidate may have a roommate, family member, or pet; ask them to move to a private area
• If they’re intentionally bringing someone unauthorized to the interview, this is a significant integrity concern
• Document what you observed and notify your recruiting team or compliance officer immediately
• You can continue the interview once they’ve moved to a private space, but escalate the concern

Q6. What happens when I click on Live Interview link? When you click the Live Interview link, you are taken to a pre-join or onboarding screen where you can:

• Allow access to your camera and microphone
• Check your audio and video setup
• Review interview details or instructions

Once ready, click Join to enter the live interview room and start the session with the candidate. Q7. Will I see how’s in the Interview? Yes. As an interviewer, you can see all participants in the interview room, including candidates and co-interviewers. This visibility helps you manage the session, confirm attendance, and coordinate with other interviewers. Q8. Can I share my screen my screen? Yes. You can share your screen at any time using the “Share” option. When prompted, choose to share:

• A specific application window
• A browser tab
• Your entire screen

NOTE: Close any personal, confidential, or unrelated content before sharing your screen.

Q9. What is “CodeJam” in the interview room? CodeJam is a collaborative coding environment that allows you to assess a candidate’s coding skills in real time. How it works:

1. You share a coding problem or prompt with the candidate
2. The candidate writes code in the shared editor while you observe
3. You can ask the candidate to explain their thought process as they code
4. Code can be executed and tested instantly, with results visible to both sides
5. You can provide feedback or ask follow-up questions based on their approach

Q10. What is the “Whiteboard” in the interview room? The Whiteboard is a digital collaboration tool used to visually explain ideas. How it works:

1. A shared whiteboard opens for both interviewer and candidate
2. Either participant can draw, write, or erase content
3. Use it to explain concepts, create diagrams, flowcharts, or solve problems
4. All changes are visible in real time
5. Content can be modified or cleared as needed during discussion

Q11. Can I chat with the candidate during the session? Yes. The chat panel allows you to send text messages to participants. This is useful for:

• Sharing links or instructions
• Clarifying questions
• Handling minor audio or connectivity issues

Use chat professionally and keep communication interview-focused. Q12. Can I change between light and dark themes? Yes. You can switch between light and dark themes based on your preference. The theme toggle changes only your interface view and does not affect other participants. Q13. Can I see my own video during the interview? Yes. You will see a preview of your own video feed along with the candidate’s video. This helps you ensure proper framing, lighting, and camera positioning throughout the interview. Q14. What happens if the candidate joins late or doesn’t join? If the candidate does not join at the scheduled time, wait for at least 10 minutes. Delays can occur due to technical or scheduling issues. If the candidate does not appear after that, follow your organization’s interview or escalation process. Q15. Will I receive notifications about interview timing? Yes. Interviewers may receive internal time-based notifications to help manage the interview duration and ensure all planned topics are covered within the allotted time. Q16. Can I provide feedback after the interview? Yes. After the session ends, you will be prompted to submit interview feedback and evaluation. This feedback is critical for hiring decisions and maintaining a consistent interview process. Q17. How should I handle candidate mistakes or misunderstandings? Treat the session like an in-person interview:

• Encourage candidates to ask for clarification
• Allow them to correct misunderstandings
• Focus on problem-solving ability, communication, and approach rather than perfection

Virtual interviews can be stressful, and thoughtful guidance helps candidates perform at their best while giving you a clearer assessment of their capabilities. Q18. What is a Secondary Camera and when is it used in a Live Interview? A Secondary Camera is an additional device—usually the candidate’s mobile phone—used to provide an alternate camera angle during the interview. It is primarily enabled for proctoring and interview integrity purposes. As an interviewer:

• The primary interview continues through the candidate’s main device (laptop/desktop)
• The secondary camera provides an additional visual view of the candidate’s surroundings
• This feature is enabled only if configured by your organization for the interview

The secondary camera helps ensure a fair and secure interview environment without interrupting the candidate’s experience. Q19. Will I see the secondary camera feed during the interview? Yes, if secondary camera is enabled for the interview:

• You may see an additional video tile or indicator representing the secondary camera
• The view typically shows the candidate’s environment rather than a close-up of their face
• The feed is meant for monitoring and verification, not for active interaction

You are not required to continuously watch the secondary camera unless something appears unusual. Q20. What should I do if the candidate has trouble connecting the secondary camera? If the candidate faces difficulty connecting their secondary device:

• Ask them calmly if they are seeing any on-screen instructions or error messages
• Allow a few minutes for setup, especially if this is their first time using a secondary camera
• If the issue persists, continue the interview and note the failure in your evaluation or feedback
• Escalate to your recruiting or compliance team after the interview if secondary camera usage was mandatory

Do not penalize the candidate immediately unless your organization’s policy explicitly requires it. Q21. What is a 360° Environment Check? A 360° Environment Check is a guided process where the candidate is asked to briefly show their surroundings using their camera. This helps verify that:

• The candidate is alone in the room
• No unauthorized materials or people are present
• The interview environment meets integrity requirements

This check is typically conducted at the start of the interview or when prompted by the platform. Q22. What is my role during a 360° Environment Check? As an interviewer, your role is to:

• Politely instruct the candidate to rotate their camera or device as guided by the platform
• Observe the environment for any immediate concerns (additional people, screens, notes)
• Maintain a neutral and professional tone throughout the process

The check should take less than a minute and should not feel interrogative. Q23. What should I do if I notice something concerning during the 360° check? If you observe a potential issue:

• Ask a neutral clarification question, such as:

  “I noticed something in the background—could you confirm you’re in a private space?”

• Give the candidate a chance to explain or correct the situation
• If the concern remains valid, document it and inform your recruiting or compliance team after the interview
• Continue the interview unless policy requires immediate termination

Avoid making accusations or assumptions during the session. Q24. Will the 360° environment check or secondary camera interrupt the interview flow? No. Both features are designed to be:

• Quick and minimally intrusive
• Conducted at predefined moments (usually before or early in the interview)
• Supportive of interview integrity without disrupting candidate engagement

Your primary focus should remain on evaluating the candidate’s skills, communication, and role fit.

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3. Device Permissions

Q1. What device and media permissions do I need to grant to use Live Interviews? To participate in interviews, you will need to grant permissions for:

• Camera – To be visible during video interviews
• Microphone – To communicate with candidates
• Audio Output (Speakers) – To hear the candidate
• Screen Share (if enabled) – To share your screen when presenting materials

Your browser will prompt you to allow these on first use. Test these permissions well before your interview. Q2. How do I grant camera and microphone permissions in my browser? When requested for permission:

• Chrome/Edge/Firefox – A popup will appear saying “Allow [site] to use your camera/microphone?” Click “Allow”
• If you declined previously, go to the browser's address bar → click the lock icon → Site settings → Camera/Microphone → Set to "Allow" → Refresh the page

Do this at least once before your interview to avoid permissions issues during a live session. Q2.  What is screen sharing and how do I enable it? Screen sharing allows you to show your computer screen (or a specific application) to the candidate. To use it:

• In the interview room, click the “Share” button
• Your browser will ask which screen/window to share; select your choice:
  • Entire desktop (shows everything)
  • Specific window (e.g., a Word document or job description)
  • Specific tab (browser tab only)
• The candidate will then see exactly what you’re displaying
• Stop sharing when done

Q3. Is it necessary to use an external camera and microphone, or can I use my laptop’s built-in devices? Your laptop’s built-in camera and microphone are sufficient for most interviews. However, for a more professional appearance and better audio quality, consider:

• An external USB webcam with higher resolution (candidates appreciate clear video of you)
• A quality headset with a noise-canceling microphone (reduces background noise and echo)
• This investment improves the candidate experience and ensures better technical reliability

Q4. What should I do if my camera or microphone is not working? Troubleshoot by:

• Checking that no other video application (Zoom, Teams, Skype) is currently using the camera
• Restarting your browser
• Checking your system’s privacy settings to ensure the browser has camera/microphone access
• Verifying that your device’s physical camera/microphone is not blocked or muted
• Testing the devices in another application (like a video call tool) to isolate the issue
• Restarting your computer if the issue persists

If issues continue, contact IT support before conducting a candidate interview.

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4. Troubleshooting & Support

Q1. What should I do if I cannot access my account or login? If you cannot log in:

• Verify your username/email and password are correct (reset password if needed via login page)
• Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again
• Check that you’re using a supported browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox)
• Verify if your account has not been deactivated by your administrator

Q2.  What if I cannot access the Live Interview at the scheduled time? If you cannot join:

• Try a different supported browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
• Verify you have a stable internet connection
• Confirm the interview link is correct and the interview time has been reached
• Clear your browser cache and restart the browser
• You can also join through a mobile device

If still unable to join, contact your recruiting team immediately so they can arrange an alternative interviewer or reschedule with the candidate. Q3. What if a candidate does not receive the interview invitation link? If a candidate says they didn’t receive the email:

• Check Email Spam/Junk - Ask them to check spam folders first
• Verify Email Address - Confirm their email address is correct in your system
• Use Notification Inbox to forward the email

Q4. How do I handle a situation where the candidate and I are both present but cannot see or hear each other? If there is no audio/video connection:

• Ask the candidate to check the pre-join lobby settings (camera/microphone enabled)
• Confirm that the candidate has granted camera and microphone permissions in their browser
• Ask the candidate to confirm no other apps are using their camera/microphone
• Have the candidate refresh the browser and rejoin
• If still failing, suggest they try a different browser as a temporary measure
• Use chat to communicate while troubleshooting

If the issue affects only you, restart your browser and rejoin. If it affects multiple users, contact support. Q5.  How long should I wait for a candidate if they’re late to the interview? If a candidate is late:

• Wait for 10 minutes, call the candidate from the platform if needed
• If you need to leave, send a message to your recruiting team
• Do not make assumptions about why they’re late (technical issues, wrong time zone, etc.)
• Your recruiting team will follow up with the candidate to understand the delay and reschedule if appropriate

Q6. 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

Q7. 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 minutes early to complete all checks

Q8. 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.

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