The Advantages Of Video Interviewing

The utilisation of video technology has changed and revolutionised many industries. With shortened attention spans and reduced time to consume content, video is definitely the way forward.

This is also true of the recruitment industry. Gone are the days where clients receive a CV with no context of the candidate and no idea of what they’re like as a person or their potential cultural fit.

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Why use video interviewing technology?

 

Now with the use of video interviewing technology, recruiters are able to have a virtual interview with the candidate and ask them a list of relevant questions that are of interest to the client. They can then send this through to the client with their CV attached. This not only eliminates the need for a first interview, but also gives the client an insight into the candidate’s personality and cultural fit. Therefore, saving the client and candidate time, and in turn money.

Additionally, as the first interview stage usually includes a handful of relevant candidates, using video interviewing allows unsuitable candidates to be weeded out beforehand. This also eliminates the need for a first interview stage, as the hiring manager will already know whether they’d like to bring that candidate in for another interview.

Video interviews also improve relationships between the client and candidate, as clients feel as though they’ve already met the candidate when they do come in for an interview. The candidate also feels more comfortable as they know that the hiring manager already likes them and believes they are suitable for the role.

Moreover, video interviewing allows the hiring manager, or decision-maker, to easily benchmark candidates by having unlimited access to the interview. By having the interview recorded, they’re also able to send it to relevant people in the business that are involved in the hiring process. Whereas, face to face interviews makes benchmarking difficult, as interviews are usually spread out and it can be hard to remember each candidate’s responses.

Additionally, video interviewing provides consistency to the process, as there are predetermined questions that are asked. This enables a decision to be reached easier, as the manager can easily compare candidates’ answers. This also allows for a fairer interview, as each candidate is asked the same questions, and therefore given the same opportunity to prove why they’re most suitable for the role.

It’s even more advantageous for international recruitment. For example, at the moment Williams Kent is working on two senior HR roles based in Europe. As the interview stage will eventually involve a face to face meeting, which will involve the candidate being flown to Europe and the business having to pay for their flights and accommodation, video interviewing enables us to conduct the initial interview from the UK.

Moreover, candidates are also likely to be more relaxed and perform at their best, if they know they’re not talking to and sitting in front of the hiring manager. As first interviews can be quite nerve-racking, video interviews alleviate some of that pressure.

 

The benefits of video interviews:

 

• Reduces time to hire
  As video interviews can eliminate the need for the first interview stage, whilst also reducing the number of irrelevant or unnecessary interviews, the time to hire naturally decreases as well. In addition, when utilising video interviewing, it eliminates the ‘scheduling nightmare’ as hiring managers and relevant stakeholders are able to watch the interview whenever they please.

 

• Saves money
  As a result of a reduced time to hire, video interviewing saves time and makes the process more streamlined and efficient- which in turn saves money.

 

• Builds stronger relationships between all parties
  Video interviewing improves the recruitment experience for both candidates and clients, as it reduces wasted time and enables candidates to build a rapport and accurately portray their true personality. These type of interviews allow candidates to bring their CV to life, which can boost their confidence and increase their chances of being hired. On the other hand, clients can get a better feel for candidates and begin to build a relationship with them before they even meet them in person.

 

• Accurately portrays candidates cultural fit without a face to face meeting
  Reading a CV and receiving feedback from a recruiter can only paint half the picture of a candidate’s personality and fit for the role. Video interviewing allows the hiring manager to determine whether the candidate would be a good cultural fit and whether their values align with those of the company.

 

• Likely to attract a larger number of passive candidates
  As passive candidates are likely working or not committed to finding a new job, they are less likely to flexible. Therefore, if they’re interested in the opportunity, they are a lot more likely to participate in a video interview, rather than organise time off to go to a face-to-face interview.

 

• Easily compare candidates
  Video interviewing also allows hiring managers to easily compare candidates and evaluate them on the same criteria as they can all be asked the same questions. This also makes the process fairer and more streamlined.

 

 

Ultimately, video interviewing shortens the recruitment process by eliminating the need for a first interview, they save time and money, and enable hiring managers to make better-informed decisions.

If you’d like to discuss how Williams Kent’s video interviewing technology can benefit your recruitment process, please get in touch today.

 

Author: Melanie Beckham

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Tags: Interview Process, Recruitment Categories: Employer