Getting Started: How to Start an Interview on Interview Canvas

This guide walks through the interview setup process, from initial access to accepting candidate invites.

First Time Setup

When you first access the platform, you'll land in candidate view. You need to switch to interviewer mode.

Access interviewer sign-in

Important: By default, the platform shows candidate view. You need to switch to interviewer mode first.

Default first time landing view

When you first visit, you'll see a waiting screen with:

• Message: "Waiting for interviewer to start the interview..."

• "Ask to Join" button (for candidates)

• "Are you in the interview panel?" link at the bottom

Click "Are you in the interview panel?" to access the interviewer sign-in page.

Sign in with Google

After clicking the panel link, you'll see the sign-in screen.

Interviewer sign-in screen

1. Click "Sign in with Google"

2. Select your company email account

3. Complete the authentication flow

Note: Always use your company Google account. Personal accounts will not have access.

After signing in, you'll automatically be taken to the interviewer lobby.

Lobby

The lobby is where you set up your audio and video before entering the interview room.

Interviewer lobby screen

Setting up media

Before starting, verify your audio and video setup:

• Camera: Toggle camera on/off. Select your camera device from the dropdown.

• Microphone: Toggle microphone on/off. Choose your mic from the dropdown.

• Speaker: Select audio output device. Test audio before starting.

• Settings: Access additional audio/video settings via the gear icon.

Interview details

The right panel shows interview information:

• Role and round (e.g., Sr. Software Engineer - R1)

• Interview duration (e.g., 45 mins)

• Your display name (editable)

Starting the interview

Click "Start Interview" when ready. This takes you to the interview agenda screen.

Interview Agenda (optional)

The interview agenda helps you plan and structure the interview. You can review the default plan, generate a custom plan, or skip directly to the interview.

Interview agenda with candidate details

Candidate details

The left panel shows candidate information:

• Name and current role

• Years of experience

• Skills and expertise areas

• Work history (expandable)

Skip to interview

If you're in a hurry or prefer to run an unstructured interview, click "Skip to Interview" to bypass the planning step.

Review interview plan

The default interview plan includes suggested questions and focus areas for the interview. This can be edited to:

• Adjust time allocations for each section

• Add or remove topics

• Modify suggested questions

• Reorder interview sections

Generate custom plan

Click "Generate Plan" to create a customized interview agenda based on the candidate's profile and role requirements.

Generating custom interview plan

The system analyzes candidate details and generates tailored topics, questions, and time allocations. This takes a few seconds.

Interview Controls (optional)

Configure code editor settings before starting. This is optional - skip if you want to use defaults.

Interview controls and code editor settings

Available settings

• Font Size: Adjust code editor font size (default: 12px)

• Tab Spacing: Set tab width and choose tabs or spaces (default: 2 spaces)

• Keyboard Bindings: Coming up soon

• AI Autocomplete: Coming up soon

These settings apply to the candidate's code editor during the interview.

Entering the Room

After configuring settings (or skipping), click "Start Interview" to enter the interview room.

Interview room with candidate invite panel

What you'll see

When you enter the room:

• Timer starts at 00:00

• Analysis panel appears on the right

• Interview agenda shows current topic (e.g., Introduction)

• Candidate invite panel appears in the center

Note: The message "Waiting for interview to start" indicates Shadow Interviewer will begin once the candidate joins.

Inviting the Candidate (optional)

Candidate can join in via the link on their calendar invite. In case you need to invite the candidate to join the interview. There are two methods:

Method 1: Send email invite

4. Enter the candidate's email address

5. Click "Send Invite"

6. Candidate receives an email with a join link

Method 2: Share interview link

7. Click "Copy Interview Link"

8. Share the link with the candidate via your preferred channel (Slack, calendar invite, etc.)

When candidate joins

Once the candidate clicks the link, they enter their own lobby to set up audio/video. Post that, when they ask to join the interview, you will receive a notiication to allow them into the room

Once candidate joins the room

• You'll see their video feed appear

• Shadow Interviewer analysis activates

• Interview officially begins

You can check out this video to see the demo: