What thinking time does

Thinking time is the preparation window candidates get before recording starts. During this time, they can:

The timer counts down on screen. When it reaches zero, recording starts automatically.

Choose the right thinking time

Match thinking time to your question complexity and role requirements.

When to use: Gut-check questions that test clarity under pressure.
Typical roles: Sales representatives, customer support agents, receptionists.
Example questions: "How would you handle an angry customer?" or "What's your pitch for our product?"

Short thinking time reveals how candidates perform when they need to think on their feet.

When to use: Practical questions that need a short mental outline.
Typical roles: Coordinators, analysts, project managers.
Example questions: "Walk me through how you prioritize competing deadlines" or "Describe your approach to data analysis."

One minute gives candidates enough time to structure a clear answer without over-rehearsing.

When to use: Balanced prep for depth and spontaneity.
Typical roles: Most individual contributors across all functions.
Example questions: "Tell me about a time you resolved a technical issue for a customer" or "Describe a project where you had to influence stakeholders."

Two minutes works well for 80% of interview questions. Candidates can think through their answer while staying authentic.

When to use: Complex scenarios or mini-case studies.
Typical roles: Managers, senior individual contributors, consultants.
Example questions: "How would you approach entering a new market?" or "Walk me through how you'd restructure this underperforming team."

Five minutes lets candidates work through multi-layered problems before answering.

When to use: Creative briefs or portfolio walkthroughs.
Typical roles: Designers, marketers, content creators, architects.
Example questions: "Walk us through your design process for this project" or "Show us three writing samples and explain your approach for each."

Unlimited thinking time works when candidates need to gather materials, open files, or review their own work before presenting.

Changes apply to all questions in the interview. Save your settings before moving to the next step.

Tell candidates the thinking time. Include this in your invitation email so they can practice with the right pace. Example: "You'll have 2 minutes to prepare before each question."
Match thinking time to interview difficulty. Standard interview questions don't need 5 minutes. Complex scenarios shouldn't get only 30 seconds.
Test your questions yourself. Record a practice answer using your chosen thinking time. If you feel rushed or find yourself waiting, adjust the setting.
Keep it consistent. Use the same thinking time for all questions in one interview. Switching times creates confusion and makes it harder for candidates to build a rhythm.