HireVue offers candidates conflicting advice on their website. On one webpage, they recommend finding a quiet and professional space to perform your interview, "Pick a spot free from distractions and noise." But on another page they say, "Just relax. If your dog barks or your kid runs across the screen-relax. It's okay. Your employer will understand, and if they don't, perhaps it's not the right culture fit for you. And that's okay. This is your time to showcase who you are and what you can add to an organization. Prepare, take a deep breath, and be yourself."

Even though you have the advantage of being in your own environment, bear in mind that your surroundings are a reflection of you. So prioritize what you want the assessment model and the recruiter to focus on. You want their focus to be on you and not on your background. Make sure your space is organized, free of distractions, and work-appropriate. Choose a space not too cluttered, preferably with a plain background. If you're not home alone, give everyone a heads-up that you are about to record your interview and ask them to be respectfully quiet. If this is not an option, wait for an opportunity to be alone. Remember, you can record your interview anytime, anywhere. Exercise sound judgment and present yourself on camera as a professional in every way, as you would in an in-person interview.

Since you can interview from anywhere, make sure it's somewhere you're comfortable. You can use a computer, tablet, or mobile device. Allow some time before the interview to enter the virtual interview room and check that your Wi-Fi signal is strong, your webcam and microphone are responsive, and that your sound and lighting are suitable for your interview. Close any unnecessary browsers or distracting alerts and notifications on your connected devices during your interview. Use the bathroom before you begin. Have a glass of water ready next to you if you need it during the interview. Ensure you are in a quiet room or area, well-lit and free of distractions.

"Yes. I volunteer for my neighborhood cleanup, picking up trash and cleaning up our neighborhood nature spaces and parks. We also clear paths and make them safer for the kids that play in those spaces. I also volunteer with the city's horticultural society, where I guide online seminars for individuals who are interested in getting a free rain barrel through our city program. It helps educate them on our storm watershed efforts to clean up our rivers. For me, it is about doing the right thing for our community and the environment."