How to Request Accommodations for a HireVue...

If a HireVue invitation arrives and the format will make it harder for you to show what you can do, ask for an accommodation early. You do not need to turn the request into a long explanation of your life. You do need to contact the employer, say what adjustment would help, and give them enough time to respond before the deadline.

HireVue provides the interview technology. The employer running the hiring process decides how the interview is configured and handles most accommodation requests. That is why the right first contact is usually the recruiter or the accommodation contact named in the job posting or invitation.

This guide explains how to make the request, what details to include, and how to keep preparing while you wait.

The short answer: ask the employer, not the clock

Request the accommodation as soon as you see the HireVue invitation. Do not wait until the evening before the deadline in the hope that the standard setup will work out.

Use the recruiter’s email address if you have one. If the application page or invitation includes a disability, accessibility, or reasonable-accommodation contact, use that route instead. Some employers have a dedicated process; others ask candidates to reply to the recruiter.

Keep the message practical. Explain that you are requesting an accommodation for the HireVue interview, name the adjustment you need, and ask how the employer would like to proceed. You are asking for a way to participate fairly, not for an advantage over other applicants.

HireVue’s own candidate resources say that candidates can request accommodations from their recruiter. Its candidate guidance also says employers are encouraged, but not required, to provide interview questions in advance. The employer’s instructions are the ones that apply to your interview.

What kinds of HireVue accommodations might help?

The right request depends on the barrier you expect to face. Avoid guessing what an employer can offer. Instead, describe the adjustment that would let you complete the interview or assessment meaningfully.

Examples that may be relevant include:

extra preparation or response time for timed questions
interview questions provided in advance, where appropriate
captions, screen-reader support, or another accessible communication format
a different interview format, such as a live conversation or written response
a change to the deadline so the request can be reviewed and arranged
technical support or a different way to complete a task when the standard interface is not accessible to you

These are examples, not promises. The employer reviews the request and decides what it can provide for that role and process.

HireVue’s Candidate Help Center says that some timed-question screens include a Request Additional Time option. If you see that option during your interview, use it rather than trying to race through a screen that is not workable. For other accommodation questions, the Help Center directs candidates to the hiring company.

That distinction matters. A platform button can be useful in the moment, but it is not a substitute for contacting the employer when you need a broader change, such as questions in advance or an alternative interview format.

Check the invitation before you write

Take five minutes to gather the details that will help the person reading your request. You do not need to complete the interview to do this.

Look for:

the stated deadline and time zone
the recruiter’s name and contact details
a link to an accessibility or accommodation policy
any technical-support contact
the employer and job title

Save the deadline in your notes. Then read the job posting again. It may name an accommodation team or explain a separate process. Follow that process if it exists.

A simple email template you can adapt

You can be direct without sharing more medical detail than you are comfortable providing. The employer needs enough information to understand the requested adjustment and connect you with the right process.

Subject: Accommodation request for HireVue interview — [Your name]

Hello [Recruiter or team name],

I am scheduled to complete a HireVue interview for the [job title] role by [deadline]. I am requesting an accommodation for this stage of the hiring process.

The adjustment that would help me participate is [brief description, such as additional preparation time for timed questions / an accessible alternative format / questions in advance].

Please let me know the next step and whether you need any further information from me. I remain very interested in the role.

Thank you, [Your name] [Phone number, if you want to include it]

Make the request specific. “I need help with HireVue” leaves the reader to guess what needs changing. “I need additional preparation time for timed video prompts” gives them something they can act on.

You do not need to apologize for asking. A calm, professional request is enough.

When should you share personal information?

That is a personal decision, and rules vary by location and employer. For the request itself, focus on the adjustment and the interview stage. If you are asked for more information, ask how it will be used, who will receive it, and what deadline applies.

Keep copies of your messages and any response. This makes it easier to follow up accurately if the original recruiter is away or the deadline is close.

If the deadline is close, say so clearly

Do not assume the employer knows that your invitation expires tomorrow. Put the date and time in the first message.

If you have fewer than two business days, send the request promptly and use the contact route stated in the invitation. If the employer has provided a phone number for recruiting support, a brief call may be appropriate after you send the email. State that you have sent an accommodation request and that the HireVue deadline is approaching. Do not use a technical-help channel for a request that only the employer can decide unless the invitation tells you to do so.

You can write a short follow-up if you have not received a response and the deadline is getting close:

Hello [name], I am following up on my accommodation request for the HireVue interview for [job title]. The invitation lists a deadline of [date and time]. Could you confirm that the request is being reviewed and let me know whether the deadline will be adjusted while that happens?

Keep the tone factual. You are giving the employer the information it needs to prevent a timing problem.

Use the practice area, but do not start the scored interview early

Many HireVue experiences include a practice question. HireVue says candidates can use it to get used to recording on camera. That can be useful while an accommodation request is pending: you can test whether your camera, microphone, lighting, captions, or assistive technology work with the platform.

Do not assume the practice area answers every accessibility question. A practice question may not use the same timing, prompt format, or settings as the scored interview. It also does not confirm that an employer has approved a requested change.

If a technical issue itself is the barrier, make a note of what happened. Record the browser and device you used, the exact error message, and the time. Send those details to the contact listed for support and tell the recruiter if the issue affects your ability to complete the deadline. A precise description is more useful than “HireVue is broken.”

For ordinary technical checks, HireVue’s candidate interview tips recommend a quiet space, reliable internet, and front-facing light. Those basics still matter. They should not be treated as a replacement for an accommodation you need.

Prepare the substance of your answers while you wait

An accommodation request and interview preparation can happen at the same time. You do not have to record the scored responses to make useful progress.

Read the job description and identify the abilities it repeats. Choose a few real examples that show how you solved a problem, worked with other people, learned something quickly, or handled a setback. Reduce each example to short prompts: what happened, what you did, and what changed.

Our HireVue interview questions guide has common question types to use for this preparation. If notes are part of your plan, the guide to using notes in a HireVue interview explains how to keep them as cues rather than a script.

If your approved format still involves a recorded answer, practice speaking from those prompts. Candidate Falcon offers practice recordings and feedback for HireVue-style video interviews, so you can rehearse the format before your real response counts. The goal is not to force yourself through an inaccessible setup. It is to make the parts you can control feel familiar.

What to do once the employer replies

Read the response carefully. Confirm the practical details before you start:

What accommodation was approved?
Does the invitation link or timing need to be updated?
Has the deadline changed, and what time zone applies?
Is there a different contact if the approved setup does not work?
Should you complete a new practice question first?

If something is unclear, ask before beginning the scored interview. A sentence such as “Could you confirm whether the additional time applies to preparation time, recording time, or both?” can prevent an avoidable mistake.

If the employer offers an adjustment that does not address the barrier, reply promptly and explain the gap in plain language. For example: “Thank you for extending the deadline. I also need an alternative to the timed recording format because the timing is the part that prevents me from participating effectively.” Keep the focus on the functional change you need.

Once the setup is confirmed, do a final technical check. Open the link early, close unrelated applications, silence notifications, and leave time to contact support if something unexpected happens.

HireVue accommodation request FAQs

Can I ask for accommodations after receiving a HireVue invitation?

Yes. Ask as soon as possible after you receive the invitation. Contact the recruiter or accommodation contact named by the employer, explain the adjustment you need, and include the interview deadline.

Does HireVue decide whether my request is approved?

Usually, the hiring employer manages the request because it controls the hiring process and interview configuration. HireVue’s support guidance directs candidates to the hiring company for accommodation inquiries outside the additional-time option available in some timed-question screens.

Can I ask for HireVue questions in advance?

You can ask. HireVue’s candidate guidance says employers are encouraged to provide questions in advance in some situations, but they are not required to do so. Make the request to the employer and wait for its instructions.

What if I need more time during a HireVue question?

Some timed-question screens may show a Request Additional Time option. Use it if it is available, then follow any on-screen instructions. For a planned accommodation or any broader issue, contact the employer before the interview when possible.

Should I complete the interview while my request is pending?

Do not assume that completing the standard, scored interview will preserve your request. Contact the employer, explain the deadline, and ask how it wants you to proceed. You can still use the practice area and prepare your examples while you wait.

Do I need to tell the recruiter my full diagnosis?

That is a personal decision and can depend on the employer’s process and where you live. Focus first on the adjustment you need. If you are asked for more information and are unsure what to provide, seek appropriate local guidance before responding.

A HireVue invitation has a deadline, but you do not have to handle an access barrier alone or in silence. Send a clear request, save the details, and keep your interview examples ready. When the employer confirms the format, you can put your attention back on the part that matters: showing how you can do the job.

Practice HireVue-style responses with Candidate Falcon before your interview.