“You are working on a project with your colleague. There is more work to be done but your colleague can’t help anymore due to a personal issue. What do you do?”
This is a question asked in a recent Goldman Sachs video interview for an internship position. You were given 30 seconds to read the question and then could take up to 2 minutes to answer it via your laptop’s webcam. You were not given any chances to re-record or review your answer. First thoughts are best thoughts? Let’s hope so since this video interview then proceeded to ask a further 5 questions all using the HireVue platform.
Most employers whether they are investment banks, consulting firms or industrials will use a video interview platform provided by one of the leading software firms eg HireVue, SparkHire, InterviewStream, Sonru , Tazio or Talview. In addition HireVue, used by many leading Investment Banks use AI to analyse the tone of your voice, your facial movements (micro expressions) and your use of keywords throughout the interview to screen for “best fit” candidates. No pressure then?
Here are some of the most commonly asked video interview questions with key advice on how to answer them:
1. Tell Me About Yourself
Reading and thinking time given: 30-60 seconds
Answering time given: 2 minutes
What they want to hear: Enthusiastic summary of your Education and Work Experience and how it is relevant to the role. Summary of your Skills and Competencies and why they are a good match for the job. Highlight any impressive achievements. Have a strong ending – don’t trail off or let the timer cut you off!
2. Why did you choose your college course?
Reading and thinking time given: 30-60 seconds
Answering time given: 2 minutes
What they want to hear: They want to see that you are interested in and enthusiastic about what you are studying. They need to know you have a plan and that you made an informed decision to do that course. Mention that you researched it, spoke to others who had done it, and you know that it is a good foundation for working in that particular industry
3. Can you describe a position of leadership you held and how you got that position?
Reading and thinking time given: 30-60 seconds
Answering time given: 2 minutes
What they want to hear: They want to get an insight into how you take on responsibility and make it your own. It doesn’t matter if the example you give is from work, studies, sports or your extra-curricular activities. Put yourself in the centre of the story and make sure you are showing that you can initiate things and get results rather than waiting for people to tell you what to do.
4. Why do you want to work for our firm?
Reading and thinking time given: 30-60 seconds
Answering time given: 2 minutes
What they want to hear: They need you to convince them that you know what they do and how you see yourself contributing to their activities and fitting into their culture. You should let them know that you value and admire their market position and expertise in the area you are applying for and give them convincing evidence that you have researched what it is like to work there as a recent graduate or intern.
5. Can you talk about a mistake you made in the past, and how you overcame it?
Reading and thinking time given: 30-60 seconds
Answering time given: 2 minutes
What they want to hear: They want you to use the STAR to structure your answer using a real example. Be honest in your example but don’t tell them something that is so big it would discourage them from considering you for the next stage of the selection process. They want to see you showing resilience and determination when things aren’t going well. And they want you to tell them what you learned from the experience.
6. Can you talk through a time you worked with a group or on a team ? How did you contribute to its success?
Reading and thinking time given: 30-60 seconds
Answering time given: 2 minutes
What they want to hear: This is the old reliable teamwork question. Once again, use the STAR to build your answer. Outline the aim of the team and how you slotted into the team. Focus on what you did to make the team operate and reach its goals. Identify how roles and responsibilities were divided up. Reflect on whether or not you would do anything differently if you were going to do it again.
7. Wrap up question – Is there anything else you would like to add? You now have up to 2 minutes to tell us anything else you think we should know about you
Reading and thinking time given: 30 seconds
Answering time given: 1.5 – 2 minutes
What they want to hear: They want you to identify and sum up your key skills and experience and link them to what they are looking for in the role. You should be in sales mode; enthusiastic and engaged. You knew this question was coming. They want you to be organised in your delivery and messages as you close down the interview (but not overly rehearsed so that it sounds like you have learned it off). To appear focused you may want to consider starting your answer by saying that you have three final messages you would like to leave them with and go on to summarise each one which gives evidence of your suitability for the role. And don’t forget to smile and thank them for watching your video.
