S Skillsheet Docs

Take the AI Interview

Overview

The AI interview is the core of the Skillsheet experience. It is a conversational video interview conducted by an AI interviewer that evaluates your skills, experience, and communication ability. The interview typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes and covers topics drawn from your resume and professional background.

Unlike a traditional interview, there is no scheduling, no waiting, and no human bias. You can take the interview whenever you are ready, on your own time.

Pre-Interview Checklist

Preparation makes a significant difference in your results. Run through this checklist before you begin:

Environment

  • Quiet space — Choose a room where you will not be interrupted. Background noise can affect audio quality and your ability to focus.
  • Good lighting — Face a light source (like a window or desk lamp) so your face is clearly visible. Avoid backlighting.
  • Clean background — A neutral, uncluttered background looks more professional on camera.
  • Closed door — Let anyone nearby know you are in an interview so you are not disturbed.

Technical Setup

  • Camera — Ensure your webcam is working and positioned at eye level. Look into the camera when speaking.
  • Microphone — Test your microphone before starting. A headset often provides better audio than a built-in laptop mic.
  • Browser — Use the latest version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
  • Internet connection — A stable connection is essential. Close bandwidth-heavy applications (streaming, large downloads) before starting.
  • Browser permissions — You will be prompted to allow camera and microphone access. Click Allow when asked.
  • Close other tabs — Minimize distractions and free up system resources by closing unnecessary browser tabs.

Personal Preparation

  • Review your resume — The AI will ask questions based on what you submitted. Be ready to discuss any skill, role, or project listed.
  • Have water nearby — A 10-to-20-minute conversation is easier when you stay hydrated.
  • Dress professionally — While there is no strict dress code, looking professional can help put you in the right mindset.

Starting the Interview

  1. Sign in to Skillsheet and navigate to your skillsheet page.
  2. Click the Start Interview button.
  3. Your browser will request access to your camera and microphone. Click Allow for both.
  4. You will see a brief introduction screen explaining what to expect.
  5. When you are ready, confirm to begin. The AI interviewer will greet you and start the conversation.

How the AI Interview Works

The interview is powered by VAPI voice AI technology, which means you have a natural, spoken conversation with an AI interviewer. Here is what to expect:

  • It is conversational — The AI asks a question, you respond verbally, and the AI follows up. It feels more like a real conversation than a list of scripted questions.
  • It is personalized — Questions are tailored to your resume, skills, and experience. Two candidates with different backgrounds will get different interviews.
  • It adapts — The AI may ask follow-up questions based on your answers to dig deeper into specific topics.
  • Audio and video are recorded — Both your audio and video are captured throughout the interview. The audio is transcribed for analysis.

What Kinds of Questions to Expect

The AI interviewer covers several areas:

Experience and Background

  • Walk me through your most recent role.
  • What were your key responsibilities at [company]?
  • Tell me about a challenging project you worked on.

Technical Skills

  • Questions about specific technologies, tools, or methodologies listed on your resume.
  • How you have applied particular skills in real-world situations.
  • Problem-solving approaches and technical decision-making.

Communication and Soft Skills

  • How you handle teamwork and collaboration.
  • Examples of leadership or mentoring.
  • How you deal with conflict or ambiguity.

Cultural and Professional Fit

  • What kind of work environment you thrive in.
  • Your career goals and motivations.
  • How you approach learning and professional growth.

Tips for Best Performance

Speak Clearly and Naturally

  • Talk at a comfortable pace. There is no need to rush.
  • Speak clearly so the transcription is accurate.
  • Pause briefly before answering to collect your thoughts — it is better than filling silence with filler words.

Be Specific

  • Use concrete examples from your experience rather than vague generalizations.
  • Mention specific technologies, results, or metrics when you can.
  • The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) works well for structuring answers.

Be Honest

  • The AI evaluates consistency between your resume and your spoken answers.
  • If you are not familiar with something, it is better to say so than to guess.
  • Authenticity is valued over perfection.

Stay Engaged

  • Look at the camera to simulate eye contact.
  • Show enthusiasm and energy — it comes through on video.
  • Listen to each question fully before responding.

Manage Your Time

  • Give thorough but focused answers. Aim for 1 to 3 minutes per question.
  • If you are going long on a topic, wrap up your main point and let the AI continue.

What Happens When the Interview Ends

When the interview is complete:

  1. The AI will let you know — The interviewer will wrap up the conversation and thank you.
  2. Processing begins — Your audio and video are analyzed. The transcript is generated and your responses are evaluated.
  3. Results are produced — Scoring and analysis typically complete within a few minutes.
  4. You will be notified — You can check your skillsheet page for your results once processing is done.

You cannot retake the same interview immediately. Your skillsheet reflects your most recent completed interview.

Troubleshooting

The camera or microphone is not working

  • Check your browser permissions. Look for a camera or lock icon in the address bar and ensure access is set to Allow.
  • Try refreshing the page.
  • Close other applications that might be using your camera or microphone.

The interview seems frozen or unresponsive

  • Check your internet connection.
  • Try refreshing the page. If the interview was in progress, you may be able to resume.
  • Close other bandwidth-heavy applications.

I cannot hear the AI interviewer

  • Check that your device volume is turned up.
  • Make sure your speaker or headphone output is set correctly.
  • Try a different audio output device.

Next Steps

After your interview is complete and processed, your results will be available on your skillsheet. Head to the next guide to learn how to read and understand your scores and feedback.