Navigating HireVue with Expert Insights
Episode 34 | November 24, 2025
Over the past five years, the investment banking (IB) recruiting process has changed dramatically. What used to be a months-long, in-person interview cycle now moves at lightning speed, and much of it happens through artificial intelligence (AI).
In this episode of The Coffee Chat Podcast, host Ben sits down with Stephanie Hockman, Founder of Alvista Loop, to discuss how tools like HireVue have redefined the recruiting experience for aspiring analysts. With over 30 years of experience in finance and career development, including two decades in investment banking and a decade leading Amherst College’s finance career program, Stephanie offers invaluable insight into how students can prepare for this new era of digital interviews.
Recruiting Starts Earlier and Moves Faster
Before 2020, most recruiting for junior summer internships happened in the fall or spring of junior year. “Then COVID hit, and everything expedited,” Stephanie explains. “Now, students need to start exploring the finance industry by the end of freshman year, because first-round interviews can start as early as January of sophomore year.”
This accelerated timeline means candidates must be ready well in advance. From resume reviews powered by AI to one-way video interviews, preparation and practice are more critical than ever.
Understanding HireVue and AI-Assisted Interviews
HireVue and similar platforms have become the norm for many investment banks. Instead of speaking to a live interviewer, candidates record responses to preset questions on camera. The AI software then analyzes over 25,000 data points, including tone, eye contact, speech rate, and enthusiasm, to create a numerical score benchmarked against top performers at the firm.
“It’s unsettling for candidates because you’re basically talking to a blank screen,” Stephanie says. “But the upside is consistency. These tools reduce human bias and make it easier for firms to assess thousands of applicants efficiently.”
Preparation Is Everything
To perform well in AI-assisted interviews, Stephanie stresses the importance of practice, not just rehearsing answers, but practicing with tools that simulate AI scoring, such as Big Interview, Interview Stream, or Voomer. “Make your mistakes in a safe space,” she advises.
Exposure to a high volume of deals accelerated his learning. “In an average year, I probably closed 6 to 12 deals,” Brian shared, noting that private credit analysts see far more deal flow than their peers in sell-side roles.
A Global Perspective
His performance opened doors abroad. After two years in Chicago, Brian relocated to London and later Paris, immersing himself in global finance hubs. The experience broadened his perspective on markets, clients, and the pace of international deal-making.
Authenticity also matters. “Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, be authentic to yourself. The AI will pick up on inauthenticity,” she adds. Simple adjustments, like elevating your camera to eye level, practicing eye contact, and ensuring good lighting, can make a big difference.
Final Advice: Control What You Can Control
Stephanie’s closing message is clear: “You can’t control the algorithms or who else is applying. But you can control your preparation, your environment, and your confidence.”
As Ben puts it, “It’s like a video audition, you’ve got to be your best self, on camera and on cue.”
For students entering this new age of digital recruiting, mastering both the technical and non-verbal aspects of the interview will be key to landing that all-important Superday invitation.
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