Video interviewing has rapidly become a mainstay of the recruiting and talent acquisition process. In fact, according to a recent Aberdeen Report, surveyed companies said they were 61% more likely to use video at some point in their talent acquisition process.
Organizations are implementing video interviewing to reduce time-to-hire, to save money on the recruiting process, and to more easily connect with top talent. Interviewing by video can potentially save companies money on the recruiting process by eliminating the need to fly candidates to in-person interviews. With this method of interviewing, travel costs and scheduling with out-of-town candidates can be virtually removed from the equation. Also the recruiter can view the candidates in their own time. Unlike a telephone screen or first interview the recruiter has to schedule time and if the applicant is unsuitable, still completes the interview.
As organizations expand their video interviewing capabilities, it’s important to approach the process strategically to maximize the benefits for hiring managers and candidates alike.
In asynchronous video interviews, hiring managers can create recorded questions for the candidate to answer, or provide a list of written questions. The candidate can answers questions in a more controlled setting and at their own convenience. Recorded interviews give candidates more time to absorb each question and form their “best” possible answer. This form of video interviewing can help candidates who are nervous about the video interviewing process, and theoretically provides the hiring manager with a more thoughtful response.
Best Practices
There are a number of factors companies should consider before they implement video interviewing as part of the talent acquisition process. Deciding what questions to ask, how many takes to allow if the candidate’s responses are recorded, and how to assess the video interview results are core components of creating a video interviewing strategy. Here are three best practices to consider:
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Ask thoughtful questions. As with any interview, asking candidates thoughtful questions is essential for determining whether they are the right fit for an organization. Questions that draw out anecdotes about a candidate’s experience and delve into their accomplishments will provide the best insight. Asking candidates to describe how they might handle a potential challenge within their new role will be more informative than asking about their most recent job title.
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Establish recording parameters. Video interviewing systems can provide a number of options for recording a candidate’s responses. You can set different response times, Some systems even hide the interview question until the candidate starts the recording, this is more like a real interview.Organisations might find that getting an answer on the first take gives them the most accurate impression and mirrors the immediacy they’d experience if the interview were in-person and face-to-face.
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Assess content not video quality. Assessing the results of a video interview can be challenging, but it isn’t all that different from evaluating an in-person conversation. The key is to focus on the content of the interview answers, not whether the candidate is a stellar videographer – especially if they’ve had to use equipment that was provided them for the interview. Instead, hiring managers should pay attention to body language, eye contact, and the content of their responses.
Being able to connect with candidates in multiple ways and on multiple platforms is increasingly important for organizations and job seekers alike. Video interviewing is a simple but effective way to not only save your company time and money during the recruiting process, but to ensure that your candidate experience is smooth, memorable, and positive. Building a video recruiting strategy that meets your organization’s needs while improving your employer brand will ensure your organization is able to find and identify top talent.