How to make the most out of video interviews
In today’s global workplace, more and more employers are looking for candidates interstate and outside the country, using tools such as Skype, Live Messenger and video interviewing to reach the right person, rather than the person who is “right there”.
Video interviewing is the perfect recruitment tool if your organisation is:
- Located in a remote area;
- Looking for specialised, high level or executive staff (and therefore working with a smaller talent pool);
- On a strict recruitment budget; and/or
- Stretched for time.
There are a number of clear advantages to video interviewing – it cuts down on travel expenses (fuel, flights and accommodation), eliminates risky off-the-resume hires and provides a fast and efficient way to screen candidates.
Employment Office clients have used Skype interviews for first round meetings to reduce their up-front investment costs in candidates that ‘look good on paper’ but aren’t the right fit.
Shortlisting Team Leader, Rachel Palmer says “Video interviewing still allows for natural conversation – you can see the candidate’s body language and facial expressions and assess their professional presentation.”
Importantly, employers need to remember that just because you’re not in the same room, the same rules apply for video interviewing as for face-to-face interviews. Some of the top tips for ensuring a successful video interview are:
- Keep on the same page – even though you’re not together in a secluded boardroom, keep the space quiet, dress appropriately and steer the discussion in a professional direction i.e. DO NOT comment on the Spice Girls poster in the background.
- Practice makes perfect – make sure you test all your software in advance and are connected to a reliable internet connection. There’s nothing more distracting then suddenly not having sound or a frozen image of your potential employee in an unflattering pose.
- Repetition is not rude – If you can’t hear something, or there is background noise, don’t be afraid to ask your candidate to repeat themselves. It’s better than going away wondering what their answer was to that crucial salary question!
Sitting in front of a camera and microphone, navigating a video technology can sometimes be more daunting than the interview itself. Video interviewing is a cost-effective way to see how candidates interact with new technology, express themselves on video and deal with potentially unusual situations.
In most cases, you can also record these interviews as well, which can be useful for follow-up actions and credit protection legislation purposes.
Video interviewing isn’t just a professional tool; Skype has over 1 billion plus users across the globe. Your candidates may be more familiar with or willing to learn about video interviewing than you know. Employment Office can facilitate and coach employers and candidates in how to effectively use these video interviewing tools (such as Skype).
