HireVue Interview Guide - Investment Banking

A HireVue interview is a one-way, automated video interview used by many bulge-bracket investment banks for internship and entry-level full-time roles. Once you submit your online application, you’ll likely receive an invitation to complete a HireVue interview within a few days.

What to Expect:

• The interview consists of 3-5 pre-recorded questions displayed on the screen.

• You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare for each question.

• You’ll then have 90 seconds to record your answer via webcam.

• Some banks allow multiple re-recordings, while others only give you one chance.

• The entire interview typically takes 10-15 minutes.

• Your responses are reviewed by either second-year analysts or AI-powered screening tools.

NOTE: HireVue interviews are more common at large banks and less common at regional boutiques.

📝 Types of Questions You’ll Face

1. Behavioural & Fit Questions

These questions evaluate your personality, motivation, and ability to work in a team environment. Common questions include:

• Why do you want to work at our bank?

• Why is this role a good fit for you?

• How does your previous experience align with this position?

• Tell me about a time you worked in a team and faced a challenge.

• Tell me about a time where you’ve managed conflict in a team.

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• Describe a leadership experience you’ve had.

• What role do you typically play in a team setting?

• How do you time manage?

• 
  

💡 Preparation Tip: Develop three strong personal stories that showcase your leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

2. Markets & Deal-Based Questions

While less common, some banks include light finance-related questions to test your commercial awareness. Examples include:

• Tell me about a recent deal you followed.

• Which major asset classes do you track, and how have they performed?

• What’s a current event that could impact financial markets?

• What’s a recent deal our bank has worked on that interested you?

💡 Preparation Tip: Stay updated with financial news from the AFR, The Australian, The Wall Street Journal, and your target firm’s recent deals.

3. Light Technical Questions

Since HireVue interviews lack back-and-forth discussion, the technical questions are typically basic. You might see:

• What are the three main financial statements?

• Walk me through a DCF. How might you get the discount rate?

• What does WACC stand for, and how do you calculate it?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of debt vs. equity financing?

• What is the treatment of buying PP&E on all three financial statement?

• How do you get from EBITDA to FCFs?

• What is the connection between interest rates and equity prices?

💡 Preparation Tip: Brush up on basic accounting and corporate finance concepts to confidently answer these questions in under 90 seconds.

🚀 How to Ace Your HireVue Interview

🔍 Key Tips for Success

• Look directly into the camera to maintain eye contact.


• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace (100-125 words per minute).


• Practice answering questions naturally.

• Dress professionally (suit and tie for men, equivalent for women).


• Ensure good lighting and a distraction-free background.


• Limit hand gestures since excessive movement can look unnatural on video.


• Avoid filler words (um, ah, like, you know).


• Use concise, structured responses.

🛑 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not maintaining eye contact with the webcam.


• Recording in a noisy or poorly lit environment.


• Speaking too fast or too slow.


• Using too many filler words or rambling on.


• 
Wearing casual attire or appearing unprofessional.

🎯 How to Practice

• Find a quiet, well-lit room with a stable internet connection.


• Use a webcam and microphone to simulate the real test environment.

• Write sample questions on note cards and randomly pick five.


• Give yourself 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to answer.

• Record your responses using Zoom, etc.


• Watch your recordings and refine your answers.

🏁 Final Thoughts

It’s important to note that HireVue interviews are primarily used to screen out candidates. They are usually reviewed by second-year analysts who might not be paying close attention, as they are likely multitasking. While it's unlikely that you will impress the assessing analyst (or robot) with your answers, making a significant mistake could result in being eliminated from the selection process.

By following the tips above, you’ll be well-prepared to pass the HireVue stage and move on to live interviews. Best of luck! 💼