Interview Guidance For Applicants

March 11, 2022

1. Good hardware

Your interview will usually require both video and written answers. Please use a high-quality camera and a device you are fast and comfortable typing on; laptops are encouraged. Please check your microphone quality during the system check as unclear audio could result in your interview needing to be re-submitted.

2. Strong internet

Please ensure you have a strong internet connection, otherwise the interview can disconnect mid-way and will require a retake. We suggest using an ethernet cable if possible to ensure maximum stability.

3. Be prepared to show your ID

Some interviews may ask for a form of ID at the start of your video interview. You must make sure the required ID is visible. We recommend trying a few different angles and distances from your camera, as well as holding it steady to allow the camera to focus, ensuring both the picture and text of your ID is visible. A close-up of the ID may be required. We recommend practising this in advance.

Chrome, Safari and Firefox are the browsers we recommend. Please ensure that any browser add-ons you have installed (such as a dark-mode readers or anti-trackers) don’t interfere with the software; you may need to disable them if this is the case.

Please make sure you are using the most up-to-date version of the browser; out-of-date versions can cause compatibility issues.

5. Submitting an interview from PRC

If you’re located in PRC, please use a VPN service to access the interview as PRC servers block OpenTok, the back-end software we use to power our videos. A paid VPN typically performs better (free VPS’s can offer limited bandwidth and limited server selection), but we have several options listed for both.

  • ProtonVPN (Free version available)
  • ExpressVPN (Premium)
  • NordVPN (Premium)
  • Surfshark (Free trial available)
  • Hotspot Shield (Free version available as a browser addon for Chrome/Firefox)
  • VyprVPN (Premium)
  • HideMe (Free, in-browser)
  • CyberGhostVPN (Premium)

If possible, we recommend connecting to a Singaporean server while attempting the interview.

6. Updated operating system

Please make sure that your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) is up-to-date prior to your interview. Devices with pending updates can cause interruptions during the interview and potentially cause technical problems.

If you have any other software that prompts necessary updates, such as anti-virus or Adobe products, please ensure they don’t cause forced-restarts or intrusive notifications while your interview is underway.

7. You only have one attempt at the interview.

Before your interview starts, there are several set-up tasks you must complete, including a system check and practice session. You can login and logout of the platform during these steps. You can also repeat any of them if necessary.

However, once you have pressed the “start interview” button, you must take your interview immediately and finish it in one sitting; you cannot refresh, exit or re-enter the page.

8. If you have issues.

If you have a technical problem, please reach out to the team using the following details:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Technical support helpline: 800 4922233 (Singapore, toll-free)
  • International helpline: +65 31591573