Everything You Need to Know About Video Interviews

As video interviewing software surges in popularity, many recruiters are left asking – what is a video interview? The emergence of video interviews in recruiting practices and job search strategies is inescapable. While the use of video interviewing is gaining steam and becoming a popular strategy for both job seekers and employers, we’ve found that over 50 percent of the companies we talk to don’t understand video technology or the various applications of it in talent acquisition.

To help educate, the following is a high level 101 on everything you need to know about video interviews (but if you want more information, check out our Guide to Video Interviewing eBook.

What is a Video Interview?

Video interviews allows employers to conduct live video interviews as well as send and review on demand video interviews over the web. interview connect allows for five individuals to participate in the two-way video interview and an unlimited number of observers to log on and watch the interview. Recruiters are able to decide which interviewers and candidates make up the five open seats as well as which coworkers are able to log on and watch as an observer.

interview on demand includes short videos that job seekers use to attract attention from hiring companies. Recruiters send candidates a template of questions for candidates to respond to via their mobile device, computer or tablet that has a camera. On-demand video interviews are normally sent as an addition to the the candidate’s standard CV/Resume and cover letter so that recruiters can gauge a candidate’s communication skills, personality and cultural fit to get a better understanding of which candidates should move forward in the interviewing process.

Benefits of Video Interviews for Companies

• Video screening interviews provide hiring companies a deeper view into their candidate’s personality, qualifications, creativity, company culture fit, communications and so much more.
• Video interviews save companies money on travel costs, as well as time spent on conducting interviews.
• Coordinating interviews with employees located at different offices can be a nightmare. A video interview solves this problem.
• Recruiters are able to record, store and share video interviews with coworkers and key decision-makers for a collaborative hiring process.

Benefits of Video Interviews for Candidates

• If done well, a video interview allows candidates to defend their resume and go into more detail.
• Candidates who may not have a strong resume are able to showcase their skills and make a case for why they are the right person for the job.
• Candidates don’t have to travel until they are certain they are one of the final candidates.
• Candidates are able to interview outside of normal work hours to not jeopardize their current position.
• They can interview from their home, from vacation, or wherever they are located!
• The video interviewing tool gives the candidate a chance to meet a handful of people at one time and get a better idea of the team’s personality.

Where are video interviews used most often?

Many of our clients use video interviews in the screening process as a phone screen replacement. Recruiters use video interviews to better identify which candidates they should be spending time with in-person interviews and move those candidates through the hiring process faster.

Benefits of Screening Candidates with Video Interviews

• Many of our clients use on-demand video interviews to screen candidates with prerequisite questions upon applying for the open position. In on-demand video interviews, once the recruiter or hiring manager selects the questions they would like to use to review candidates, they can send the candidate the interview questions and review responses either as they come in or all at once at their convenience. Some of our clients have replaced initial phone screens with one-way video interviews and have saved major time by skipping through unqualified candidates and focusing on ones who are the right fit for the role.
• Oftentimes, more than one person is involved in the hiring process. Trying to convey to team members why a candidate did well or poorly from one individual’s notes in a phone interview is difficult. Video interviews give the entire recruiting team a chance to view candidate video responses, which keeps everyone on the same page.
• When recruiters or hiring managers have many phone screens, it’s easy to forget important details about candidates. With video interviews, they can simply go back and watch the candidate’s response once more to refresh their memory.

Why Candidates Want to be Screened through Video Interviews

• Video interviews are standardized, so candidates can feel comfortable knowing that they are receiving the exact same questions as their competition.
• Candidates can respond to questions from the comfort of their own home and at a time that is convenient for them (a great benefit for working candidates).

So, what are the major differences to remember? Video interviews are a highly effective tool for organizations to make better hiring decisions through quick and effective interviewing at a reasonable cost. Video interviews are candidates’ tool to showcase their skills and interview conveniently.

About The Author

Esteban Gomez is a marketing consultant with interviewstream. He loves learning and has a passion for traveling, having visited many countries including China, Colombia, Italy, and Peru.