Step-by-step: taking your RecruitMe interview
From clicking the invite link to closing the tab — every screen you will see, in order, with what to do at each step and what to do if something looks different.
Key takeaways
- You go through 5 pre-flight gates: browser check → device check → screen share → mic → network speed.
- Each gate confirms one thing is working before letting you through.
- If anything fails, the platform tells you exactly what's wrong — read the message, don't just retry.
- Once the interview starts, you cannot pause. Budget the full duration in one sitting.
Before you start
This is the full walkthrough. Open this on a phone or a second device while you take the interview on your main computer — that way you can refer back without leaving the interview tab.
Before you click the link
- Make sure you've got 15, 30, or 45 minutes free — whatever the email specifies, plus 5 minutes for setup. The interview cannot be paused.
- Be in a quiet room with a closed door.
- Have a glass of water, scratch paper, and a pen on your desk.
- Have your laptop plugged in. If you're on Wi-Fi, sit close to the router.
- Close every app you do not need. Especially: Zoom, Teams, Slack notifications, music apps.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb so notifications do not pop up over the interview window.
Step 1 — Open the link
Click the Start interview button in your invitation email. It opens a new tab pointing to a URL like your-company.recruitme.ai/interview/<long-token>. The token in the URL is what authorises this specific interview — do not share it with anyone.
If the link says it's expired or invalid: the most common cause is that you already used it (you cannot retake from the same link), or the deadline passed. Contact the recruiter directly to ask for a fresh invite.
Step 2 — The pre-flight checks
Before the interview itself, you walk through five gates. Each one verifies a specific thing is working. The platform will not let you advance until the previous gate passes.
Gate 1: Device check
First, the platform checks you are on a supported device. If you are on a phone or tablet, you will see a message asking you to switch to a desktop or laptop. Switch devices and re-open the link there.
Gate 2: Browser check
Next, it checks you are using Chrome or Edge. If you are on Safari or Firefox, you will see a Browser not supported message. Open Chrome (or install it from google.com/chrome), and paste the invitation link there.
Gate 3: Screen-share permission
Now you'll be asked to share your entire screen. Click Continue — Chrome will pop up its native dialog with three tabs: Entire screen, Window, Chrome Tab. *Click Entire screen, click the thumbnail of your screen, then click Share*** at the bottom.
WARNING
If you pick *Window* or *Chrome Tab*, the platform will reject it and ask you to start over. If you accidentally clicked *Cancel*, just click *Try again* on the platform's screen.
On macOS, the first time you share with Chrome, the operating system will pop up its own dialog asking permission. Click Allow there as well. On some macOS versions, you may need to fully quit Chrome (Cmd+Q) and reopen it once before screen-share takes effect.
Gate 4: Microphone permission
Now Chrome asks for your microphone. Click Allow. The platform then tests that audio is actually coming through — speak a short sentence when prompted. You should see a level meter move on screen.
If the level meter does not move when you speak, you have a microphone selection problem. See Microphone access.
Gate 5: Network speed test
Last gate: a 10-second speed test. The platform measures your bandwidth and warns if you are below 5 Mbps. You can proceed even with a slow connection — the AI will pause more often as audio uploads, but the interview will work. If you have an alternative network (move closer to the router, switch to wired, tether your phone), now is the time to consider it.
Step 3 — The interview itself
After the five gates, you land in the interview room. The interface is intentionally minimal — just your camera in the corner, an indicator of who is currently speaking (you or the AI), and a timer.
The AI's opening
The AI greets you, introduces itself, confirms the role you are interviewing for, and explains roughly how the interview will be structured. Listen carefully — this sets expectations for the duration. The AI also tells you it is okay to ask for clarification or to ask for a question to be repeated.
Answering questions
When the AI finishes asking a question, wait for the speaking indicator to switch to you, then start your answer. Speak at a normal conversational pace. If you trail off, the AI waits — it does not interrupt mid-thought. If you finish your answer, just say so ("That's my answer" or "I think that covers it") and the AI will move on or ask a follow-up.
TIP
If you need a moment to think — say so. *"Give me a second to think about this"* is fine. The AI will wait.
Asking the AI to repeat or clarify
If you missed a question or didn't understand it, just say "Can you repeat that?" or "Can you rephrase the question?". The AI will reformulate it for you.
If the AI gets stuck
Occasionally the AI may go silent for longer than feels normal, or misunderstand you. Common fixes from inside the interview:
- Say "Sorry, can you repeat the question?" — this gives the AI a clear signal to retry.
- Wait 5 seconds in silence — sometimes the AI is processing.
- If the AI seems to think you're still speaking when you've finished, pause for 2–3 seconds, then say "That's my answer."
Wrap-up
When the AI decides the interview is complete (either because the time slot is up or because all planned questions are covered), it will explicitly say goodbye. Wait for it to finish — do not close the tab while the AI is still speaking. After it ends, you are taken to a short feedback form.
Step 4 — Post-interview feedback
A short form appears — usually three or four questions about how the experience went, plus a free-text field for any comments. This feedback goes to NextMantra, not to the recruiter. It is anonymous and helps us improve the platform. Take a minute to fill it in.
Step 5 — What happens next
Once you submit the feedback, you are done. You can close the tab. The recruiter at the hiring company typically reviews interviews within 1–5 business days and reaches out by email about next steps — either to schedule a follow-up, to send an offer, or to share that you are not moving forward.
Good luck.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have before my invitation expires?
The expiry date is shown on your invitation email and on the first screen when you open the link. Most invitations are valid for 5–7 days from when they were sent, but the recruiter sets this individually. If your invite has expired, contact the recruiter directly — they can re-issue it.
I lost the email — can I take the interview from a saved bookmark?
No — the interview link is single-use and tied to a specific token. Ask the recruiter to re-send the email.
My interview was working, then froze. What now?
First, do not close the tab — try to wait 30 seconds and see if it recovers (network blips happen). If it stays frozen, reload the page once. If the platform recognises you mid-interview, it may resume; if not, you'll see a message asking you to contact the recruiter. Email them — they can re-issue an invite.
Can someone else (a partner, friend) sit in the room with me?
Not recommended. The platform records your video and your screen, and a recruiter will review the recording. Visible third parties — or audio of someone else talking in the room — typically count against you. If you live with others, ask them to give you privacy for the interview duration.