With unemployment at an almost record low of about 3.7% nationally, more and more companies are going outside of their normal recruiting methods to bring in talent. One of those ways is through video technology.

Candidates are often willing to fly in for interviews, but not at their own expense. This puts the burden of an expensive airline ticket on you, who may not have it in your budget to do so. And if you want to get the top-notch candidates, they are not going to be around for two weeks to get a better ticket price.

So, what can you do? Today, more and more companies are starting to rely on video technology, such as Skype, Sparkhire and Zoom, to conduct job interviews. According to a recent survey by OfficeTeam, 6 out of 10 companies are using video interviews for recruiting. The video interview may not necessarily be better than a face to face, but if conducted properly, it can be very effective. These tips can help you better prepare for a video interview.

Set the stage

Conduct the interview in a quiet, well-lit setting. Keep the background simple and free of clutter and distractions. Avoid wearing bright colors and patterns and stick with neutral blues. Ensure that your account name is some form of your first and last name vs. a non-business-related name (avoid screen names like winelover2019) and dress professionally, as you would expect the candidate to do as well.

Tech check

Make sure you have familiarized yourself with the equipment ahead of time. Check your internet connection. Ethernet is recommended over wi-fi as a more solid connection. Depending on the quality of your built-in microphone, it may be necessary to purchase an add-on microphone to guarantee better sound quality.

Action!

In addition to the typical questions that you would prepare before any face-to-face interview, there are a few other things to keep in mind during a video interview. Make sure to look at the camera and not the screen so you appear to be giving direct eye contact. Speak loudly and clearly into the microphone and give the candidate adequate time to complete their thoughts in case of a delay.

Record and playback

A great benefit to video is being able to record the interview sessions. This can help in reviewing any easily identifiable mistakes to improve on interviewing techniques, offer the ability to share with colleagues and can also assist in HR compliance. There are several plug-ins that you can use, including one that records audio and video from both sides and allows you to edit it. Before sharing it, make sure it is a worthy performance on your part if it is going to be viewed by your colleagues!

Video interviews are becoming increasingly necessary for employers who are looking to cut costs but still hire the best employees, regardless of their current location. If you’re not currently using video technology to conduct interviews, you may be limiting your hiring options. And, it can even cause you to miss out on top talent for your organization. Need help with your recruiting efforts? Reach out to us for a strategic consultation.

About the author
Denise Wicks serves as a Sr. Technical Recruiter for Synergis, specializing in IT infrastructure/systems candidates. She has more than 20 years of recruiting experience, the last 19 at Synergis. Denise earned a bachelor’s degree in business/corporate communications from Georgia State University. In her spare time, she enjoys cheering on the Braves, Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs, boating on the lake and wine tasting.