USA Hire Online Interview Information

The below help content contains frequently asked technical questions regarding the USA Hire Online Interview platform.

Accessing Online Interview

How do I access my scheduled online interview?

You will be notified that you have been scheduled to participate in a Live video interview through an emailed calendar invitation. The email sender will be Cloud@performancefit.com. In the body of the calendar invitation there will be a link labeled “Join Your Interview”. Click this link to join your interview at the scheduled date and time. It is recommended you join your interview 10 minutes prior to the start time so that the Device Check may be completed. Interviewers and Observers may also access interviews from their interviewer profile by logging into their USA Hire Interview account.

Why isn’t my online interview link working?

Double-check the date and time of your scheduled interview. You can only access your interview 30 minutes prior to the start time. If you are a candidate, ensure that you are signing in to the Login.gov account associated with the email address that received the calendar invitation for your interview.

Audio Troubleshooting

I am in the Device Check and I cannot hear the audio test. What do I do?

If you cannot hear the tone being played during the audio test, select the "No" button to the right of the "Can you hear the tone?" question to end the Device Check. Under Audio Test, select the field labeled “Speaker” to open a drop-down menu of speakers available on your device, then select your desired option. If the desired speaker is not listed, go into your browser settings and ensure that your preferred speaker is connected and available for use. If you are using external speakers or headphones, ensure that they are correctly plugged into your device. To re-run the Device Check, select the "Run Test Again" button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Other solutions to try: Confirm that the volume on your device is turned up. Close any applications or browser windows that may be using your speakers. Ensure that your device is not set to mute audio in web browsers. Test your browser audio by opening a new tab and playing audio on another website. If you cannot hear the audio on another website, keep your browser window open and follow the instructions below: On a Window device, right-click the computer speaker icon and select “Open Sound settings”. Confirm the output speakers and input microphone are correct. Under the “Advanced sound options” header, select “App volume and device preferences”. Next to the name of the browser you are using, ensure the output speakers and input microphone are correct. On a Mac device, select the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then select “System Preferences”. Double-click the Sound icon. Click the “Output” tab then select your preferred speaker from the device list. Then ensure that the output volume is turned up and the “Mute” button is unchecked. Most browsers can mute a tab or site. Right-click on the browser tab and unmute it if it has been muted. Try a different browser or device.

I am in the live video interview and I cannot hear others’ audio. What do I do?

Confirm that the volume on your device is turned up. Next, close any applications or browser windows that may be using your speakers. Other solutions to try: Ensure that your device is not set to mute audio in web browsers. Test your browser audio by opening a new tab and playing audio on another website. If you cannot hear the audio on another website, keep your browser window open and follow the instructions below: On a Window device, right-click the computer speaker icon and select “Open Sound settings”. Confirm the output speakers and input microphone are correct. Under the “Advanced sound options” header, select “App volume and device preferences”. Next to the name of the browser you are using, ensure the output speakers and input microphone are correct. On a Mac device, select the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then select “System Preferences”. Double-click the Sound icon. Click the “Output” tab then select your preferred speaker from the device list. Then ensure that the output volume is turned up and the “Mute” button is unchecked. Most browsers can mute a tab or site. Right-click on the browser tab and unmute it if it has been muted. If you continue to experience audio issues, exit the interview by closing your browser and switch to another browser or device. Alternatively, navigate back to the Device Check to switch your speaker selection by selecting the “Leave” button in the top right-hand corner of the screen. If prompted, in the pop-up window select “Device Check”. On the Device Check page under Audio Test, select the field labeled “Speaker” to open a drop-down menu of speakers available on your device, then select an alternative option. If the desired speaker is not listed, go into your browser settings and ensure that your preferred speaker is connected and available for use. If you are using external speakers or headphones, ensure that they are correctly plugged into your device. Run the Device Check to return to the interview.

I am in the live video interview and others’ cannot hear me. What do I do?

Ensure you have not muted yourself in the interview room by checking the microphone icon at the top of the screen. If there is a slash through the microphone icon, you are muted. Click the icon to turn your microphone on. Other solutions to try: Close any applications or browser windows that may be using your microphone. If prompted, allow access to your camera and microphone. If you accidentally deny access, follow the instructions below to allow access: On a computer device, select the icon to the left of the URL at the top of your screen. Typically, this will open a drop-down menu that will grant you access to enable your microphone. Alternatively, in your browser settings search for “microphone” to identify additional microphone settings. If you are a candidate using a mobile device, refresh your screen to receive the microphone access prompt again. Ensure that your device is not set to mute your microphone in web browsers. Keep your browser window open and follow the instructions below: On a Window device, right-click the computer speaker icon and select “Open Sound settings”. Confirm the output speakers and input microphone are correct. Under the “Input” header, select the “device properties” hyperlink to increase your microphone sound. Under the “Advanced sound options” header, select “App volume and device preferences”. Next to the name of the browser you are using, ensure the output speakers and input microphone are correct. On a Mac device, select the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then select “System Preferences”. Double-click the Sound icon. Click the “Input” tab then select your preferred microphone from the device list. Then ensure that the input volume is turned up. If you are a candidate using a mobile device, open your mobile device settings, search for your browser, and ensure the settings allow for microphone access on websites. Ensure that your browser settings are not set to mute your microphone. In your browser settings search for “microphone” to identify additional microphone settings. If you continue to experience audio issues, exit the interview by closing your browser and switch to another browser or device. Alternatively, navigate back to the Device Check to switch your microphone selection by selecting the “Leave” button in the top right-hand corner of the screen. If prompted, in the pop-up window select “Device Check”. On the Device Check page under Audio Test, select the field labeled “Microphone” to open a drop-down menu of microphones available on your device, then select an alternative option. If the desired microphone is not listed, go into your browser settings and ensure that your preferred microphone is connected and available for use. If you are using external headphones, ensure that they are correctly plugged into your device. Run the Device Check to return to the interview.

Video Troubleshooting

I am in the Device Check and I cannot see myself on video. What do I do?

Wait until the Device Check has finished. Your video screen may disappear momentarily while the Device Check is in progress. If the Device Check has finished and you still cannot see yourself on video, confirm that there is nothing covering your device’s camera. Next, close any applications or browser windows that may be using your camera. If prompted, allow access to your camera and microphone. If you accidentally deny access, follow the instructions below to allow access: On a computer device, select the icon to the left of the URL at the top of your screen. Typically, this will open a drop-down menu that will grant you access to enable your camera. Alternatively, in your browser settings search for “camera” to identify additional camera settings. If you are a candidate using a mobile device, refresh your screen to receive the camera access prompt again. Under Video Test select the field labeled “Camera” to open a drop-down menu of cameras available on your device, then select your desired option. If the desired camera is not listed, go into your browser settings and ensure that your preferred camera is connected and available for use. If you are using an external camera, ensure that is correctly plugged into your device. To re-run the Device Check, select the “Run Test Again” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.

I am in the live video interview and I cannot see myself on video. What do I do?

Ensure you have not turned your video off in the interview room by checking the camera icon at the top of the screen. If there is a slash through the camera icon, your video is turned off. Click the icon to turn your camera on. If prompted, allow access to your camera and microphone. If you accidentally deny access, follow the instructions below to allow access: On a computer device, select the icon to the left of the URL at the top of your screen. Typically, this will open a drop-down menu that will grant you access to enable your camera. Alternatively, in your browser settings search for “camera” to identify additional camera settings. If you are a candidate using a mobile device, refresh your screen to receive the camera access prompt again. If you continue to experience video issues, exit the interview by closing your browser and switch to another browser or device. Alternatively, navigate back to the Device Check to switch your camera selection by selecting the “Leave” button in the top right-hand corner of the screen. If prompted, in the pop-up window select “Device Check”. On the Device Check page under Video Test, select the field labeled “Camera” to open a drop-down menu of cameras available on your device, then select an alternative option. If the desired camera is not listed, go into your browser settings and ensure that your preferred camera is connected and available for use. If you are using an external camera, ensure that it is correctly plugged into your device. Run the Device Check to return to the interview.

I’m in the live video interview room and want to change my camera. What do I do?

Navigate back to the Device Check to switch your camera selection by selecting the “Leave” button in the top right-hand corner of the screen. If prompted, in the pop-up window select “Device Check”. On the Device Check page under Video Test, select the field labeled “Camera” to open a drop-down menu of cameras available on your device, then select an alternative option. If the desired camera is not listed, go into your browser settings and ensure that your preferred camera is connected and available for use. If you are using an external camera, ensure that it is correctly plugged into your device. Run the Device Check to return to the interview.

Device Check

What do I do if I fail the Connectivity Test?

If you fail the Connectivity Test, complete the below steps before re-running the Device Check: Ensure you are not connected to a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Close other applications or browser windows. If you are using a restricted network (e.g., your work network), either reach out to your IT help desk or consider using an unrestricted network, such as your home internet. To re-run the Device Check, select the “Run Test Again” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. If you continue to fail the Connectivity Test, try completing the Device Check on a different browser or device.

What do I do if I fail the Internet Speed Test?

If you fail the Internet Speed Test, complete the below steps before re-running the Device Check: Ensure you are not connected to a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Close other applications or browser windows. Confirm that your device has access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection. To re-run the Device Check, select the “Run Test Again” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. If you continue to fail the Internet Speed Test, try completing the Device Check on a different browser or device.

What do I do if I fail the Audio Test?

Follow the troubleshooting steps in the Audio Troubleshooting section above.

What do I do if I fail the Video Test?

Follow the troubleshooting steps in the Video Troubleshooting section above.

Conducting the interview

Why can’t I move the interview from one question to another?

Only the Moderator of the interview has the ability to move the interview panel from one question to another. The Moderator is indicated by a star icon in their video panel. If you believe you should be the Moderator for an interview, make yourself Moderator by selecting the star icon on the left-hand side of the interview room, below the candidate’s video panel.

The rating criteria section is distracting me. Can I hide it?

Yes, beneath each interview question on the right-hand side of the screen is a button titled “Show Rating Criteria”. Toggle this button off to remove the rating criteria for all questions going forward. You can toggle the button back to show the rating criteria at any time.

The notes section is too small. Can I expand it?

Yes, in the bottom right corner of the notes section box there are two diagonal lines. Click and drag these lines to enlarge the notes box.

I don’t have time to finalize my ratings or complete the consensus discussion - can I come back and finish later?

Yes, once you have submitted your initial ratings you may exit the interview and coordinate a time with the rest of the panel to complete the consensus discussion. At the agreed upon time, access the interview using your link in the interviewer calendar invitation or by logging in to your USA Hire Interview account. Select “Enter Ratings” to be taken back to where you left off in the rating process.

How do I view a candidate’s final ratings?

Navigate to your interviewer profile, click the “Interviews” tab, then find the name of the candidate you interviewed. Select the pencil icon to the right of the “Expires After” column to open the candidate’s interview record. You can view an overview of the candidate’s final ratings in the Results section. You may also review the final results in more detail by clicking the “Download Results” button on the right-hand side of the candidate’s interview record underneath the “Actions” header. This downloads an excel file of the results to your computer.

Issues Not Covered Above

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USA Hire Help Desk is available for individuals seeking technical USA Hire assistance with accessing or completing USA Hire Assessments. Technical assistance is available Monday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM EST. The Help Desk is closed on weekends and Federal holidays.

A USA Hire Help Desk Ticket can be submitted here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/HelpTicket