> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://cammio.crisp.help/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Create an Automated Interview Template and Configure Settings Setting up an automated interview template is your first step toward a more efficient, high-volume pre-selection process. A template acts as your master blueprint — once you configure the settings, questions, and branding, you can use it to invite large (or small!) numbers of candidates. This guide covers the initial creation and the core configuration on the main **Setup** tab. --- ## Step 1: Create a New Template 1. Click on **Templates** in the left sidebar. 2. Click the **Create new template** button at the top right of your screen. 3. Select **Automated Interview** from the setup options. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/2/d/8/c/2d8ceb79554a0200/automated-interviewcreate-new-_19v7qa0.gif) 4. In the creation modal, fill in: **Interview title**, **Data retention (days)**, **Template visibility** (Account-level / Organization or Private) and **Invitation method** (direct invitations or share link). * **Direct invitations:** You personally invite each candidate by email (individually or via CSV). Invited candidates receive a unique, personal link. * **Open share link**: A single public URL is generated that any candidate can use to start the interview without a personal invitation. Best for open application flows, job fairs, or high-volume campaigns where you want candidates to self-start. 5. Click **Create**. | **Need both methods for the same role?** Create two separate templates; one per method. Use **Duplicate template** to copy an existing setup and switch the invitation method on the copy. || **ATS-integrated accounts:** Candidates who apply via an open share link will **not** automatically sync to your ATS. Only direct invitations from your ATS can be mapped back into your ATS. --- ### Step 2: Configure Your Interview Details Once you create the template, you will land on the **Setup** tab. The first section is **Interview Details**, which defines the foundational information, ownership, and privacy for your interview. * **Interview Title**: Give your interview a clear, specific title (e.g., "Customer Service Representative - 2024"). This title is visible to candidates. * **Reference** (Optional): Add an internal code or ATS requisition number to help your team cross-reference and organize. * **Template Owner**: Defaults to the person creating the template. Use the dropdown to reassign ownership to any active user in your organization. * **Data retention**: Define how many days candidate data should be stored. This field enforces your organization's minimum and maximum privacy policies and is only editable by Admin users. Once the first candidate is invited, this field locks permanently to ensure compliance. * **Template visibility**: Select **Account-level** to allow all users in your organization to access this template, or **Private** to restrict access to the Template Owner and Admins only. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/2/d/8/c/2d8ceb79554a0200/automated-interview-details_1s8fcg3.png) --- ### Step 3: Configure Your Interview Settings Go to the **Interview Settings** section. This is where you determine the default behavior, language, and global candidate experience for this template. * **Branding**: Use the dropdown to apply a specific visual theme to the candidate's interview interface. * **Language**: Set the primary language for the interview interface and system emails. If you select specific locales (German, Swiss, or French), a toggle will appear to switch to the informal form (e.g., "Du" vs. "Sie"). * **Invitation expiration**: Toggle on and set the number of days the candidate's unique link remains valid. * **Answer type**: Use the toggles to globally enable or disable **Video**, **Audio**, and **Text** response formats. * **Answer time limit**: Use the dropdown to set the maximum recording time allowed for media responses. * **Recording attempts**: Choose how many retries a candidate gets (1 to 5, or **Autostart**). If you select Autostart, text answers are disabled and a **Preparation time** field appears to give candidates a countdown before recording begins automatically. * **Recording transcription**: Toggle on to automatically generate text transcripts for all video and audio responses. | Tip: Set sensible defaults here first, then fine-tune per question later in the **Build** tab. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/2/d/8/c/2d8ceb79554a0200/autoamted-interview-settings_h0vk9.png) --- ### Next Steps * Ready to set up your communication? Proceed to [Configure Automated Candidate Emails](/en/article/configure-automated-candidate-emails-hdpv2q/). * Want to skip ahead to the candidate experience? Learn about [Setting up the Candidate Welcome Screen](/en/article/set-up-the-candidate-welcome-screen-12bzhmi/).