AI interviews, explained
Some employers and hiring platforms screen candidates with AI. These guides explain what happens in those interviews and how to prepare.
What counts as an AI interview
The phrase covers two different formats, and they call for slightly different preparation:
- One-way (on-demand) video interviews. You see a question on screen and record your answer against a timer; no one is on the other end. Recruiters, and in some setups software, review the recordings later.
- Conversations with an AI interviewer. An AI asks questions out loud and follows up on what you say, like a live screening call.
Each platform guide below is built from that company's own public candidate documentation: the format, retake rules, setup requirements and what it says it evaluates. Where a platform does not publish something, the guide says so rather than guessing.
Where to start
If you know which platform the employer uses, open its guide. If not, start withhow to pass an AI interview for what these systems look at, andvideo interview tips for camera, sound and timing. Both apply to either format.
Platform guides
- Alignerr AI Interview (Zara): Format, Rules, Retakes and PrepWhat Alignerr's own help center says about the Zara AI interview: who must take it, setup that gets you failed, the retake rule, results and how to prepare.
- HireVue Interview: Format, Common Questions and a Practice PlanHow HireVue on-demand interviews and assessments work, what HireVue says it evaluates, common questions, timing, setup and a practice plan.
- Mercor AI Interview: Format, Retakes, Rules and How to PrepareHow the Mercor AI interview works per Mercor's own docs: length, format, retakes, practice interview, AI-use rules, setup, and how to prepare your answers.
- micro1 AI Interview (Zara): Length, Questions, Scoring, RetakesWhat micro1's own pages say about the Zara AI interview: length, question types, the scoring report, proctoring, feedback and the unpublished retake rules.
- Spark Hire One-Way Interview: Retakes, Think Time and AI ReviewHow a Spark Hire one-way video interview works per Spark Hire's own docs: think time, takes, time limits, AI Video Review, pausing, deadlines and devices.
- Willo Video Interview: Retakes, Timers, Questions and TipsHow a Willo one-way video interview works for candidates, from Willo's own help pages: answer limits, retakes, timers, AI review, devices and prep.
For any AI or video interview
- How to Pass an AI Interview: What Gets Evaluated and How to PrepHow AI-run interviews like HireVue and Mercor work, what their own documentation says they evaluate, your rights as a candidate, and a practice plan.
- Video Interview Tips: Live and One-Way Recorded InterviewsPractical video interview tips for live calls and one-way recorded interviews: setup, lighting, camera, timing, what to do when tech fails, and how to practice.