Hirevire
For Candidates

How to record your screen in an interview

Some interview questions ask you to record your screen while you talk through something—for example, walking through a portfolio project, demonstrating a skill, or explaining a document. This guide explains how screen recording works and what to expect.

What is screen recording?

Screen recording captures whatever is on your screen along with your voice. It's not a live session with the recruiter—they'll watch your recording later. You choose exactly what to share, record it at your own pace, and can preview it before submitting.

Before you start

  • Use a desktop or laptop. Screen recording only works on computers—not on phones or tablets. If you're on a mobile device, you'll need to switch to a computer to complete screen recording questions.

  • Use a supported browser. Chrome, Edge, or Safari work best for screen recording.

  • Complete the video and audio test first. If your interview includes screen recording questions, you'll do a quick camera and microphone test before you start answering. This confirms your devices are working.

How to record your screen

When you reach a screen recording question, here's what happens:

  1. Click Start recording. A browser prompt asks you to choose what to share—your entire screen, a specific window, or a browser tab.

  2. Select what to share. Pick the screen or window you want to record. If you're demonstrating a specific document or application, choose that window. Then click Share or Allow.

  3. Start speaking. Your microphone records your voice while your screen is captured. Talk through whatever you're showing.

  4. Stop recording when done. The recording stops when your time runs out. If you finish early, you can stop it manually.

  5. Preview your recording. Watch it back to make sure it looks and sounds right.

Close any windows or tabs you don't want on screen before you start recording. Only share what you're comfortable with the recruiter seeing.

Retakes and re-recording

After previewing your recording, look for a Retake button at the bottom of the screen. If it's available, you can record again. The button shows remaining attempts—for example, "Retake (2)" means you have two more tries.

You won't see the Retake button if:

  • The question has thinking time enabled (recording starts automatically when the timer ends)

  • You've used all your allowed attempts

  • You've already submitted your application

For more details, see what to do if you want to record again.

If screen recording isn't working

If the screen recording won't start or shows an error:

  • Check browser permissions. Your browser may be blocking screen sharing. Look for a permission prompt in your address bar and allow access.

  • Try a different browser. Chrome, Edge, and Safari all support screen recording reliably.

  • Close other apps. If another app is using your camera or microphone, close it and refresh the page.

  • Switch to a computer. Screen recording doesn't work on mobile devices. If you're on a phone or tablet, use a desktop or laptop to complete this question.

If you're still having trouble, see Candidate recording troubleshooting for more solutions.

What recruiters see

Recruiters see exactly what you recorded—your screen with your voice narrating. They can pause, replay, and share your recording with team members. Your recording is saved with your application and viewed asynchronously, so there's no live interaction during the recording itself.

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