HireVue records video and audio of you, not your screen

HireVue is a video interview platform used by employers to conduct remote job interviews. When you interview through HireVue, the system records your face, voice, and the video feed from your camera — it does not record your computer screen, your keyboard activity, or anything else on your device. The platform is designed to capture only what the camera and microphone pick up during the interview session.

This matters because many job candidates worry that HireVue monitors their entire computer while they interview. That is not how the platform works. HireVue cannot see your desktop, your browser tabs, your files, or anything outside the camera's view. If you have notes on your desk or a second monitor, HireVue will not detect them unless they are visible in the camera frame itself.

The employer who sends you the HireVue link controls what gets recorded. They choose whether to record the interview at all, and they decide what happens to the recording afterward — whether it stays on file, gets deleted, or is reviewed by hiring managers.

Key Takeaways

  • HireVue records only your camera feed and microphone audio, not your screen or any other part of your computer.
  • The platform cannot detect what is on your desk, your other monitors, your browser tabs, or your files unless the camera can see them.
  • Your employer controls whether the interview is recorded and what happens to the recording after the interview ends.
  • If you use a second monitor or have notes visible in the camera frame, those will appear in the recording because the camera sees them.

What the camera actually captures

HireVue's camera records whatever is in front of your webcam during the interview. This typically includes your face, your shoulders, your upper body, and the background behind you. If you sit at a desk with a second monitor to your left or right, the camera will not record that monitor unless it is positioned directly in the camera's line of sight and close enough to be visible.

The microphone picks up your voice and any background noise in your room — traffic outside, people talking nearby, keyboard clicks if you type loudly. It does not record what you are typing or thinking, only sounds that travel through the air to the microphone.

Many candidates place notes or a cheat sheet on their desk during a video interview. If those notes are positioned below the camera's view or off to the side, the camera will not see them. If they are directly in front of you or visible in the background, they will appear in the recording. The same applies to a second monitor — if it is visible in the frame, it is recorded; if it is outside the camera's angle, it is not.

What HireVue cannot see

HireVue does not have access to your screen, your keyboard, your mouse, or your computer's file system. The platform runs in your web browser and uses only the camera and microphone permissions you grant it. It cannot install software that monitors your device, cannot see what programs you have open, and cannot track your cursor or keystrokes.

Some job candidates have heard rumors that HireVue uses artificial intelligence to detect if you are looking away from the camera or if you seem nervous. HireVue does use AI to analyze video and audio — the company has stated this publicly — but the analysis is limited to what the camera and microphone record. The AI cannot know whether you are reading notes off-screen, cannot detect a second monitor, and cannot tell whether you looked at your phone or a piece of paper unless the camera sees it happen.

HireVue also cannot access your location data, your browsing history, your email, or any other information on your device. The platform is a video interview tool, not spyware.

How to position your setup safely

If you want to use notes during a HireVue interview, position them where the camera cannot see them. Place notes below your desk, to the far side of your monitor, or on a surface that is outside the camera's field of view. Test your camera angle before the interview starts — most video interview platforms show you a preview of what the camera sees, and HireVue does the same.

Use a second monitor if you need one, but keep it out of the camera frame. Position it to the side or behind your main monitor so it is not visible in the video. The camera can only record what it can see, so anything outside its angle is safe.

Close browser tabs and programs you do not want visible, not because HireVue can see them, but because you might accidentally show them on your screen if you move your camera or if someone walks behind you. Keep your background clear of clutter or anything you would not want an employer to see.

What happens to the recording after the interview

The employer who sent you the HireVue link decides what happens to your interview recording. Some companies review the video when ready and then delete it. Others keep it on file for a set period — 30 days, 90 days, or longer — and then delete it. Some employers may keep recordings indefinitely if you are hired.

HireVue stores the recording on its servers, encrypted, until the employer deletes it or the retention period expires. You do not have automatic access to your own recording, though some employers will share it with you if you ask. The employer controls the recording, not you.

If you are concerned about privacy, you can ask the employer or recruiter before the interview what happens to the recording and how long it is kept. This is a reasonable question and many companies will answer it.

Differences between HireVue and screen-sharing interviews

HireVue is different from screen-sharing platforms like Zoom or Google Meet, where the interviewer can see your entire screen if you choose to share it. In a HireVue interview, you do not share your screen unless the employer specifically asks you to. The default is camera and microphone only.

Some employers use HireVue for the initial recorded interview and then move to a live video call with a hiring manager on Zoom or another platform. In that second interview, you would have the option to share your screen if the interviewer asks. But the HireVue recording itself captures only what the camera sees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can HireVue tell if I am reading from notes?

HireVue cannot detect notes that are outside the camera's view. If your notes are positioned below your desk or off to the side, the camera will not see them. If you glance down at notes that are visible in the frame, the camera will record that you looked down, but HireVue's AI cannot determine what you were looking at or whether you were reading.

Does HireVue monitor my keyboard or mouse?

No. HireVue has no access to your keyboard, mouse, or any input devices. The platform uses only your camera and microphone. It cannot track what you type, where you click, or what programs you open.

Can I use a second monitor during a HireVue interview?

Yes, as long as the second monitor is not visible in the camera frame. Position it to the side or behind your main monitor so it is outside the camera's angle. Test your camera view before the interview to confirm the second monitor does not appear in the video.

What if I accidentally show something on my screen?

If you move your camera or shift your position and briefly show something on your screen or desk, HireVue will record it because the camera saw it. However, a brief moment in a video interview is unlikely to be the deciding factor in a hiring decision. If you are concerned, you can mention it to the employer after the interview, but it is usually not necessary.

Does HireVue record my screen if I share it?

Only if you choose to share your screen. HireVue does not automatically record your screen — it records only the camera feed by default. If an employer asks you to share your screen during the interview, then yes, that screen share will be recorded as part of the interview video.