The Complete Guide to HireVue Game-Based Assessments

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of recruitment, companies are constantly seeking innovative ways to identify top talent. Hirevue has emerged as a leader in this space, offering a suite of game-based assessments that provide a dynamic and insightful alternative to traditional hiring methods. These games are not just for fun; they are sophisticated tools designed to measure a candidate's cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, and personality traits.
This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the most common Hirevue games, offering insights into what they assess and how you can best prepare to showcase your abilities.

What are Hirevue Game-Based Assessments?

Hirevue's game-based assessments are a series of short, interactive challenges that candidates complete online. Each game is designed to evaluate specific cognitive and behavioral traits that are relevant to job performance. Unlike a resume or a standard interview, these games aim to provide objective, data-driven insights into a candidate's inherent abilities and work style. The assessments are typically timed and adapt in difficulty, ensuring a challenging yet fair evaluation for every applicant.

The Hirevue Game Suite: A Detailed Breakdown

Below is a detailed look at the various games you might encounter in a Hirevue assessment, categorized by the primary skills they evaluate.

I. Cognitive Ability & Problem-Solving Games

These games assess your critical thinking, numerical reasoning, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills.

Numerosity

Objective: This game tests your mental arithmetic and numerical agility. You are given a target number and a mathematical operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division). Your task is to select two or more numbers from a set of hexagons that correctly complete the equation.
Skills Assessed: Numerical reasoning, mental calculation, speed, and accuracy under pressure.
Strategy: For addition/subtraction, quickly scan for pairs that sum up to or differ by the target. For multiplication/division, the most effective strategy is to factor the target number and then look for those factors among the options. A strong command of basic times tables is a significant advantage.

PathFinder

Objective: A spatial reasoning puzzle where you must rearrange scrambled path segments on a grid to create a continuous, unbroken road from a start point to an end point.
Skills Assessed: Spatial reasoning, problem-solving, planning, and efficiency.
Strategy: Begin by identifying and placing the crucial corner and edge pieces to create a framework. Work systematically from one or both ends of the path. Try to visualize the completed path before moving the tiles to minimize unnecessary moves.

Puzzle (Puzzlepicture)

Objective: This is a classic sliding tile puzzle. You are briefly shown a complete image, which is then scrambled into tiles on a grid with one empty space. You must slide the tiles to reconstruct the original picture.
Skills Assessed: Working memory, visual processing, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
Strategy: The first step is to memorize the target image, focusing on key features, colors, and patterns. Once scrambled, locate and place the corner and edge pieces first. Work methodically, solving one row or column at a time.

Singularity

Objective: In this visual processing game, you are presented with a screen full of shapes and must quickly identify the one unique shape among them. The difficulty increases with rotating shapes, moving elements, and greater complexity.
Skills Assessed: Attention to detail, visual processing speed, and focus.
Strategy: It is crucial to remember that rotation does not make a shape unique. Focus on inherent characteristics like color, form, and specific details. Develop a systematic scanning pattern (e.g., left-to-right, top-to-bottom) to ensure you don't miss anything.

II. Memory Games

These games are specifically designed to measure the capacity and reliability of your short-term and working memory.

DigitSpan

Objective: A direct test of short-term memory. You are shown a sequence of characters (numbers or letters) and must recall them in the correct order. As you advance, the game may require you to recall the sequence in reverse order.
Skills Assessed: Short-term memory, attention, and concentration.
Strategy: Use memory techniques like "chunking" (grouping numbers into smaller sets) and rehearsal (silently repeating the sequence). Pay close attention to the instructions to know whether forward or backward recall is required.

Flashback

Objective: This game assesses your working memory using an "n-back" task. You must determine if a shape currently on the screen is the same as the one that appeared "n" steps before (e.g., 1-back, 2-back).
Skills Assessed: Working memory, visual recall, and concentration.
Strategy: Verbalizing the key features of the shape (e.g., "blue band on top") can create a stronger memory trace. Stay focused, as the "n-back" rule changes, requiring you to constantly update the information you are holding in your memory.

ShapeDance

Objective: A visual matching puzzle where you must identify identical pairs of squares, each containing patterns of colored shapes. The squares are often tilted and floating, adding to the challenge.
Skills Assessed: Working memory, attention to detail, and visual processing.
Strategy: Use a systematic scanning approach rather than randomly searching for pairs. Focus on key features within a pattern (like a dominant color or a unique shape arrangement) to quickly identify potential matches.

III. Personality & Work Style Assessments

These games aim to understand your personality, work preferences, and how you might behave in a professional environment.

Portrait & PortraitXT

Objective: These are personality assessments. In Portrait, you choose between two pictures that best describe you. In PortraitXT*, you rate how much a given statement (e.g., "I am an ambitious person") describes you on a scale.

Skills Assessed: Personality traits, work-style preferences, and cultural fit.
Strategy: Before the assessment, research the company's values and the key competencies for the role. While you must be authentic, keep this ideal candidate profile in mind. Answer consistently and strategically, highlighting the traits that genuinely align with the job's requirements.

TeamChat

Objective: This game simulates a team chat environment. You must choose the most appropriate response from three options to messages from virtual colleagues.
Skills Assessed: Communication skills, teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
Strategy: Your goal is to demonstrate that you are a constructive and effective team member. Choose responses that are proactive, supportive, and clear. Strive for a balance between assertiveness and empathy, and tailor your communication style to the context of the conversation.

E-Motions

Objective: This game evaluates your emotional intelligence. You are shown photos of individuals and must quickly and accurately identify the emotion being displayed from a list of options.
Skills Assessed: Emotional intelligence (EQ), empathy, and observation skills.
Strategy: Familiarize yourself with the key facial indicators for common emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust). Pay close attention to the eyes and mouth, as they are highly expressive. Practice with online emotion recognition quizzes to sharpen your skills.

General Tips for Success

Find a Quiet Environment: Minimize distractions to ensure you can fully concentrate on the tasks.
Read Instructions Carefully: Each game has specific rules. Pay close attention to the instructions before each level begins.
Manage Your Time: All games are timed. While accuracy is crucial, you must also work efficiently. Don't get stuck on a single problem for too long.
Practice: Familiarize yourself with the types of challenges you will face. Practice similar brain-training games online to sharpen your cognitive skills.
Be Authentic but Strategic: Especially in personality assessments, be true to yourself, but also be mindful of the traits the employer is likely seeking for the specific role.

Conclusion

Hirevue game-based assessments are a modern and effective way for employers to gain a holistic view of a candidate's potential. By understanding the mechanics of each game and preparing with targeted strategies, you can confidently navigate these challenges. Remember that the goal is not just to "win" the game, but to accurately showcase the cognitive and personal strengths that make you the ideal candidate for the job. Good luck!