> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.interviewflowai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Interview settings

> Set the interview language, timing, channel, Candidate requirements, intro video, and interview messages.

This step controls how the interview runs and what Candidates must provide before they start.

## Timing and language

<Frame caption="Timing, link, retake, and interview channel settings.">
  <img src="https://website-images.interviewflowai.com/docs/interview-settings.png" alt="Timing, link, retake, and interview channel settings." />
</Frame>

* **Interview Language**: The language the AI interviews in. Choose from Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Portuguese, Spanish, Ukrainian, or Vietnamese. Changing the language resets the interview messages to the defaults for that language.
* **Max. Interview Duration (minutes)**: From 10 to 60 minutes. The default is 10. Longer interviews use more credits.

## Link and retakes

* **Link Expiration (days)**: How long the interview link stays valid, from 1 to 365 days. The default is 4 days.
* **Max Retakes Allowed**: How many times a Candidate can retake the interview, from 0 to 3. The default is **0 (No retakes)**.

## Interview channel

Choose how Candidates join the interview:

* **Web call**: Candidates join in their browser with audio or video. This is the default.
* **Phone only**: Candidates receive a phone call.
* **Allow both**: Candidates choose a phone call or a web call.

<Note>
  Phone interviews are available on the Growth and Scale plans. Before you can use **Phone only** or **Allow both**, connect your phone number in [Phone call config](/configuration/phone-call-config).
</Note>

## Candidate requirements

Choose what Candidates must provide before they start:

* **Video required**: Candidates must turn on their camera during the web call. Turn it off for audio-only web interviews. This option is hidden when you choose **Phone only**.
* **Resume required**: Candidates must upload a resume before they submit. This is locked on when resume-based questions are turned on in [Question settings](/interview-automation/create-an-ai-interviewer/question-settings).
* **Portfolio URL required**: Candidates must include a portfolio link. This option depends on your plan.
* **Desktop only**: Candidates can only take the interview on a desktop device. This is on by default.

## Intro video

Upload a short welcome or role overview video. It plays before the AI interview begins, giving Candidates a more personal experience.

* **Accepted formats**: MP4, WebM, MOV.
* **Maximum file size**: 10MB.

Click **Upload intro video** to add one, **Replace intro video** to change it, or **Remove video** to delete it.

## Interview messages

Customize what the AI says at the start and end of the interview. Click **Default** next to a message, or **Restore All Defaults**, to go back to the original wording.

<Tip>Use variables like `{fullName}`, `{firstName}`, `{jobTitle}`, and `{jobRole}` to personalize messages. They are replaced automatically during the interview.</Tip>

* **Introduction Message** (required, up to 1,000 characters): The first message Candidates hear.
  * **Default**: "Hi {firstName}, I'll be your AI interviewer today. It's a pleasure to meet you! This is a structured interview designed to provide a fair and consistent experience for all candidates. For each question, you'll have about two minutes to respond. If you don't understand a question, you can ask me to repeat it. Are you ready to get started?"
* **Ice Breaker** (optional, up to 500 characters): A friendly opening question to help Candidates feel comfortable.
  * **Default**: "To start off, could you tell me a little bit about yourself and what excites you about the {jobTitle} role?"
* **Interview Closing Message** (required, up to 500 characters): The last message Candidates hear.
  * **Default**: "Thank you for completing the interview. We appreciate the time and effort you have taken to share your experience with us. Your responses will now be reviewed as part of our selection process. If your profile is shortlisted for the next stage, our team will contact you directly. Thank you again for your interest in the opportunity, and we wish you all the best."

<Info>Want to ask Candidates for extra details after the interview, like a portfolio link or availability? Add post-interview questions in the [Application form](/interview-automation/create-an-ai-interviewer/application-form#post-interview-questions) step.</Info>


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