Where to find these controls
Open the Screening step of any interview
Click Response Settings
Adjust the three drop‑downs in Response settings
1. Thinking time
Option | When to use it | Typical roles |
15–30 sec | Gut‑check questions that test clarity under pressure | Sales reps, support agents |
1 min | Practical questions that need a short mental outline | Coordinators, analysts |
2 min (default) | Balanced prep for depth and spontaneity | Most individual contributors |
5 min | Complex scenario or mini‑case study | Managers, senior ICs |
Unlimited | Creative briefs or portfolio walk‑throughs | Designers, marketers |
Tip: Tell candidates the thinking time in the invitation email so they can practise with the right cadence.
2. Time limit per question
Option | Ideal answer type | Keep in mind |
1 min | Rapid‑fire behavioural examples | Forces concise storytelling |
2 min (default) | Balanced depth + focus | Works for 80 % of roles |
3 min | Complex technical or strategic answers | Reviewers will spend longer watching |
Rule of thumb: Multiply the time limit by the number of questions to confirm your total watch‑time is reasonable for evaluators (aim < 15 minutes).
3. Retake limit
Setting | Candidate experience | Hiring signal |
No retakes | High pressure, authentic first take | Great for customer‑facing roles |
1 retake (default) | Safety net if tech glitches | Balanced authenticity |
2–3 retakes | Encourages polished responses | Use when delivery quality matters (e.g., marketing videos) |
Note: Truffle stores only the final take, not the discarded ones.
Recommended defaults
Thinking time: 2 minutes
Time limit per question: 2 minutes
Retakes: 1
These settings strike a balance between candidate comfort and review efficiency. Deviate only when the role’s communication demands are clearly higher or lower.
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