[Comparison of 3 Major Services] For those facing an AI interview: Differences and strategies for SHaiN, HARUTAKA, and HireVue
"I want to prepare for an AI interview, but I don't know what to prepare."
Do you have that concern?
In fact, AI interviews are not just "one type of system." There are multiple types of AI interview services used in Japan, and the format, difficulty, and key points for preparation change significantly depending on the service you take.
In this article, we have compared three services that you are particularly likely to encounter during your job search from the perspective of the candidate.
SHaiN: An "interactive type" where you converse with AI via voice. A one-shot deal with follow-up questions.
HARUTAKA: A "recorded type" where you record and submit your answers. Common among large Japanese companies.
HireVue: A "recorded type" with a practice mode. The standard for foreign-affiliated and global major companies.
Understanding "which one you will be taking" first is the first step in AI interview preparation.
What you will learn in this article
The flow and characteristics of each of the 3 major services
Points to be careful about for each service
How to check in advance "which service you will be taking"
Comparison table by service
SHaiN: A one-shot "interactive type" where AI asks questions via voice
Provider: Talent and Assessment Co., Ltd.
Format: Interactive AI interview (voice)
Companies using it: Yoshinoya, Sompo Japan, Norinchukin Bank, Green Cross Pharmaceutical, etc. (over 600 companies as of 2024)
SHaiN interview experience
The biggest feature of SHaiN is that it is an "interactive type" where the AI asks questions via voice and the candidate speaks into the microphone.
Interview flow:
Access from a smartphone or PC browser (no app required)
AI starts asking questions via voice
When the candidate answers, the AI automatically generatesfollow-up questions
One theme is explored through 4 to 6 follow-up questions
A total of 8 to 10 themes, taking 40 to 60 minutes
This is a one-shot opportunity with no retakes allowed. The AI evaluates 11 items (vitality, interpersonal influence, planning ability, etc.) on a 10-point scale, and a report is sent to the company.
Things to be careful about with SHaiN
Paraphrasing does not work: Repeating the same content in follow-up questions is likely to be judged as "lacking substance"
Cheat sheets are almost always detected: Detected by eye movement, broken speaking pace, or unnatural content
Long silences are treated as "no answer": There is a risk that if the pause is too long, it will be judged as no answer
Consistency of answers is strictly checked: Contradictions between earlier and later answers will result in point deductions
Many candidates report that this service has the same level of tension as an interview with a human interviewer.
Tips for getting a high evaluation in SHaiN
Answer using the STAR structure (Situation, Task, Action, Result): The AI analyzes the structure of your answers. It is easier to convey your points if you speak in the order of "what happened, what you did, and what the result was"
Prepare 3 to 4 episodes: Since repeating the same story in follow-up questions is likely to be judged as "lacking substance," be prepared to switch to different episodes
Take the interview in a quiet place: Ambient noise is a major enemy as it affects the accuracy of voice recognition
Align the camera with your eye level: If taking it on a smartphone, use a stand or similar to ensure you are not looking down
HARUTAKA: A "Recruitment DX" type where you record and submit
Provider: ZENKIGEN, Inc.
Format: Mainly recording type (interactive type added from July 2025)
Companies using it: SoftBank, JTB, Nishimatsuya, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, etc. (over 700 companies)
HARUTAKA interview experience
HARUTAKA is a recruitment DX platform that integrates recruitment management, recorded interviews, web interviews, and AI analysis. A key feature is its ability to have AI transcribe and summarize recorded interview content to generate briefings for the next interviewer.
Interview flow (for recording type):
Receive a URL from the recruiter (no login required)
Questions set in advance by the company appear on the screen
Tap "Start answering" to begin recording
Submit the recorded video
Whether you can re-record depends on the company's settings (some companies allow it unlimited times, while others do not allow it at all). Please check the recruitment email or company page before taking the exam.
Things to note with HARUTAKA
Check the number of allowed re-takes first: If possible, use the first recording to check your nervousness, and aim for your best from the second attempt onwards
Intuitive to use with a simple UI: The service itself is easy to use, so there are few technical issues
Communication stability during peak season (March): Reviews sometimes report audio skipping during the busy season in March. A wired connection is recommended
Tips for getting a high evaluation in HARUTAKA
If re-recording is allowed, use the first attempt as a "practice": This is a chance to objectively check your facial expressions, tone of voice, and speaking speed
Once the question is displayed, take about 30 seconds to think before you start speaking: Rather than rushing to start, organizing your thoughts will make your content more coherent
Pay attention to the background and lighting: Since it is a recorded format, the impression of the video may affect your evaluation. Choose a position in front of a white wall where light hits your face
Be aware of the time limit: The time limit for answering varies by company. Check in advance and practice staying within the time limit
HireVue: The "Global Standard" with a practice mode
Provider: HireVue, Inc. (USA) / Talenta Inc. (Japanese agent)
Format: Recorded (on-demand)
Adopting companies: Itochu, Tokio Marine & Nichido, JAL, JCB, Bain & Company, etc. (over 1,150 companies worldwide, over 200 in Japan)
HireVue exam experience
HireVue has established itself as the standard AI interview for foreign-affiliated and global major companies. It is used by 46% of the top 50 most popular companies for job seekers, and over 320,000 people in Japan have taken it (according to Talenta Inc.).
Interview flow:
Click the URL in the email (no login required)
Practice questions (not evaluated) allow you to get a feel for the process before the actual interview.
The actual questions appear on the screen, and recording begins after a thinking period (30 seconds to 2 minutes).
Record within the time limit of 1 to 4 minutes for each question.
The video is automatically submitted.
The AI detects approximately 25,000 feature patterns (voice, language, facial expressions) from the video and scores your competencies by comparing them with the company's data on successful candidates.
Things to keep in mind for HireVue
Always use the practice mode: This is your only opportunity to check how you look, your voice volume, and your eye contact with the camera before the actual interview.
Global standards are expected: A logical, concise, and conclusion-first response style is evaluated.
Retake rules depend on the company: Rules vary significantly by company, such as unlimited retakes at Itochu versus no retakes at Bain.
There are few current affairs or unusual questions: Most questions cover past self-promotion, what you focused on during your student days, and your strengths and weaknesses.
Tips for getting a high score on HireVue
Make sure to use the practice mode fully: This is your only opportunity to check how you look, your voice volume, and your eye contact with the camera before the actual interview. Adjusting these here will significantly change the impression you make.
Start with the conclusion: Be conscious of the "conclusion-first" speaking style valued by foreign-affiliated companies. It is easier to convey your message if you start by saying, "The conclusion is X. There are three reasons for this."
Use the thinking time effectively: There is a grace period of 30 seconds to 2 minutes from when the question appears until recording starts. You are allowed to write notes during this time.
Be conscious of your facial expressions: HireVue is said to analyze facial expressions as well. Try to maintain a natural smile and an expression that suggests you are talking to someone.
How to check in advance which tool you will be using
The AI interview service you will be taking is often stated in the recruitment email. You can confirm it by the service name such as "SHaiN," "harutaka," or "HireVue," or by the URL domain (e.g., "shain-ai.jp," "harutaka.jp," "hirevue.com").
If you cannot confirm it, you may find records of previous candidates' interviews by searching for "Company Name + AI Interview" on job hunting or career change review services (Shukatsu Kaigi, OpenWork).
If you are unsure which service it is, it is safe to prepare for a recording-based interview. Since SHaiN's interactive format functions as a superior version of recording-based preparation, it can handle both types.
Comparison list of the 3 services
SHaiN | Interactive/Voice | High (One-shot, includes follow-up questions) | None | General domestic companies (over 600)
HARUTAKA | Recorded | Medium (Retake availability depends on the company) | None | Major Japanese companies (over 700)
HireVue | Recorded | Medium (Practice mode available) | Yes | Foreign-affiliated/Global majors (over 200 in Japan)
What should I do if I don't know which service it is?
If you cannot identify the service you will be taking, it is safest to prepare for a recorded-type interview.
The reason is that SHaiN's interactive type is an evolution of the preparation for recorded types. If you have prepared for the recorded type (structuring answers, visual impression, time management), you can handle both formats to some extent.
Summary
There are 3 types of AI interview services. SHaiN (interactive), HARUTAKA (recorded), and HireVue (recorded with practice), each requiring different preparation.
Just confirming 'which service' in advance will significantly improve the accuracy of your preparation.
Commonly important points for any service are structuring your answers, looking at the camera, and speaking calmly.
Next Action: Things you can do right now
Identify the AI interview service of the company you are applying to: Check the URL in your recruitment email or on review sites.
Re-read the 'Things to note' and 'Tips' for the relevant service: It is convenient to bookmark this article.
Practice answering using the STAR structure: Organize 3-4 of your own episodes by fitting them into the 'Situation -> Task -> Action -> Result' format.
Related Articles
Once you know 'which service' it is, let's move on to concrete measures.
We have prepared a complete strategy guide that summarizes the STAR method (answer structure), 30 frequently asked questions, and answer templates by job type. This content is applicable to any service.
▼ Everything people who passed AI interviews do [Includes 30 frequently asked questions + templates by job type]
If you found this article helpful, please press the ♡ button; it will encourage me for the next article.
If you have any personal experiences with AI interview services, please let me know in the comments. Things like 'SHaiN's follow-up questions were more intense than I imagined' or 'HireVue's practice mode was helpful' will be useful for those who will be taking AI interviews in the future.
AI Career Lab | Vol. 34 April 13, 2026