recruiter using video interviewing software

Video Interviewing Software

5 Promising Practices for Using Video Interviewing Software in 2022

July 8, 2022

Tima Rassool

Tima Rassool

Content Writer

As HRs keep up with the fast-changing tech of the modern business world, interviewing candidates remotely through video interviewing software has become standard for many companies.

The advantages of using video interviewing software are plentiful. For example, video interviews allow you to interview more candidates quickly. They also improve the quality of hires and reduce your time-to-hire by a large margin, freeing up headspace for other HR priorities. There are a lot of things a recruiter can learn about a candidate in the interviewing stage. Here are some ideas for using your video interview more effectively to determine if your candidate fits your company culture.

Pros Of Video Interviewing Software

recruiters trying to use video interviewing software

Convenient: In an increasingly global workforce, many recruiters have turned to source candidates from outside of their city, if not country. Video interviews help facilitate the interviewing process. Speeds up your time to hire: With interviews more accessible, using video interviewing software will definitely speed up your time to hire. No more waiting for candidates to have free time to come into the office. With video, they can block out only the necessary time for the interview, rather than having to factor in travel time. Opens up talent markets: After implementing a video interview strategy, you may also open up talent markets that were previously inaccessible. Often teams can’t consider foreign talent because they can not commit to bringing them over without properly getting to know their skills and experience. Video interviews, when well-organized, can help you get to know far-away candidates with little commitment.

How To Set Up A Smooth Video Interview

recruiters happy about a video interviewing software

Video interviewing is becoming increasingly popular because of its convenience. As this trend persists, running a smooth video interview should be a skill in any modern recruiter’s arsenal. Follow these simple practices to make the most of your screen time with your candidates.

Send Out The Invitation

Global Recruiting Efforts With Video Interviewing software

After you’ve shortlisted candidates for the role, you’ll want to invite them to conduct an interview in your chosen video interviewing software. Inviting candidates should be easy and preferably done from within your ATS to simplify the process. Make sure they have the following information:

  • Date and time of the interview.
  • The name and title of their interviewer. Preferably with a link to their LinkedIn profile.
  • Instructions on how to join the call. This should include an automatically generated link to the calls and any further details like if a download is required, what kind of browser they should use, and how to share their screen if necessary.
  • A protocol on what to do if the connection cuts. Expect the best, but prepare for the worst. Let the candidate know that you’ll call back first or fall back on their phone number should something go amiss in the communication.
  • Advice on video interviews. Not all candidates will comfortable with an online interview. Offering some general advice like making sure to join early and finding quiet, light spots may help alleviate the stress for first-timers. Make sure they avoid some unintended disruptions like this one

Book The Right Setting

recruiter talking about video interviewing software

The physical setting of where you use your video interviewing software is still important when recruiting. If you’re in a bigger office, ensure that the intended room is booked for your interview and that there are no disruptions. Our pro tip: Ensure that you’re facing any direct light, rather than having the light behind you. For instance, you should face a window rather than having one behind you. This will make sure that you’re easy to see rather than shaded out by backlighting.

Prepare Set Up

Candidates evaluation with video interviewing software

The day has come! It’s time to prepare your video interviewing set-up.

  • Check your headphones. Even if you have a room booked that’s quiet, using headphones with a small speaker can help improve the sound quality of the candidate. If you use the internal microphone and speaker, the candidate might experience an echo or poor sound quality.
  • Double-check your internet connection. If the connection is not stable, you may want to opt to use a personal hotspot if the connection there is more stable.
  • Test the audio and video. Test that your video interviewing software is registering your video and audio source. You may have to switch to your headphones in the settings to make sure it uses that source and not the internal speakers.
  • Look at the part. Just because you’re not meeting in person, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat it like an in-office meeting. Make sure you’re dressed as you normally would for a candidate meeting, sitting upright, and paying close attention to the screen. This will give the candidate the feeling of a serious interview.
  • Open a window for notes. Just like in-person interviews, you’ll need to take a few notes, especially if you’re using structured interviews. Make the notes accessible next to the online interview window.

Ease In With A Few Chit-Chatty Questions

a recruiter using video interviewing software

When a candidate comes in for an interview, you show them around the office first or ask them a few casual questions about their journey while grabbing a cup of coffee or tea. This help breaks the ice. When using video interviewing software, you won’t have the natural flow of greeting them and introducing them to the office. But make sure you build in a few pre-interview questions to ease the tension. These questions can help the candidate open up if they’re nervous. Look at their CV to consider a few video interview questions that might break the ice. For example, you might ask them about their university or what they studied. Or if they were recently on holiday you might ask them where they went. Keep it light and casual.

Follow Up With The Next Time

recruiter happy about video interviewing software

After completing your online interview, send a quick email to the candidate with any agreed next steps. This should be true for both in-person and video interviews, but it’s particularly important to do when you’ve not met the candidate in person. This will help manage expectations, which is an important ingredient in promoting a great candidate experience.

Parting Thoughts

Video interviewing may take some getting used to, but it changes the whole recruiting game! As the talent shortage intensifies in certain key areas, online interviews will become an increasingly valuable arsenal in your hiring process. Chose a video interviewing software that’s reliable and encourages connections. Especially one that works within or in conjunction with your ATS – like EVA-SSESS! EVA-SSESS is a perfectly scalable video interviewing software for businesses of all sizes and shapes. It transforms the hiring and assessment process with inclusive one-way video interviews. Enabling decision-makers to attract and cultivate a more talented workforce, through a seamless video interviewing process that reduces hiring bias and makes interviews easily accessible to everyone. Request a free demo to see how EVA-SSESS transforms your hiring process and helps you hire top talent in half the time!

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Author

Tima Rassool

Tima Rassool

A wordsmith, storyteller, and content strategist – Tima is an MBA graduate with 6+ years of experience in the world of HR. With over 2,000 blogs under her belt, Tima's expertise and insights have helped businesses across the globe take their recruitment to the next level and stay ahead of the curve.

Turn top talent to employees fast

Hire, assess, onboard and manage top talent for every job. See how Elevatus streamlines everything; from acquire to new hire.

Request a demo