In this article:
What response time limits do
Choose the right time limit
Where to adjust response time
What response time limits do
The response time limit is the maximum recording length for each answer. When the timer reaches zero, recording stops automatically and the candidate moves to the next question.
This setting helps you:
Keep answers focused and concise.
Control total interview length for candidates.
Manage review time for your hiring team.
Choose the right time limit
Match time limits to the depth of answer you need.
1 minute
Ideal for: Rapid-fire behavioral examples or quick demonstrations.
Keep in mind: Forces concise storytelling. Candidates must get to the point fast.
Example questions: "What's your greatest strength?" or "Why do you want this role?"
One-minute answers work well for screening questions where you need a quick signal, not a deep story.
2 minutes (default)
Ideal for: Balanced depth and focus.
Keep in mind: Works for 80% of roles and question types.
Example questions: "Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem" or "How do you handle conflict with a coworker?"
Two minutes gives candidates enough time to set context, describe their actions, and share the outcome without rambling.
3 minutes
Ideal for: Complex technical or strategic answers.
Keep in mind: Reviewers will spend longer watching these responses. A five-question interview with 3-minute limits creates 15 minutes of watch time per candidate.
Example questions: "Walk me through your approach to system architecture" or "How would you build a go-to-market strategy for this product?"
Three minutes works when the role requires deep expertise and you need candidates to demonstrate their thinking process.
Calculate total watch time
Multiply your time limit by the number of questions to estimate review time.
Examples:
5 questions × 1 minute = 5 minutes per candidate.
5 questions × 2 minutes = 10 minutes per candidate.
5 questions × 3 minutes = 15 minutes per candidate.
Aim for less than 15 minutes total. Longer interviews create review fatigue and slow down your hiring process.
Where to adjust response time
Open the Add questions step of your interview.
Scroll to the Response configuration section.
Click Configure if the settings are collapsed.
Find Time limit per question under Response Settings.
Select your preferred duration from the dropdown.
Changes apply to all questions in the interview. Save your settings before moving to the next step.
Best practices on response time
Start with 2 minutes. This is the recommended default for most interviews. Adjust only if you have a specific reason.
Test the limit yourself. Record practice answers to your questions within the time limit. If you consistently run out of time, increase the limit or simplify the question.
Tell candidates the time limit. Include this in your invitation email. Example: "Each question has a 2-minute time limit."
Don't use long time limits for simple questions. A 3-minute limit on "Why do you want this job?" invites rambling and makes review harder.