Innovative hiring solutions: Understanding on-demand video interviews
On-demand video interviews have grown in popularity in recent years as employers look for more effective and adaptable methods of screening applicants. With a faster assessment process and fewer scheduling conflicts, this strategy has many advantages for both hiring teams and candidates.
A pre-recorded interview, commonly referred to as an on-demand interview, is a modern and innovative method of conducting job interviews. Candidates are given a set of predetermined questions, and they are required to record their responses on a video platform. On-demand interviews don’t entail live interactions with interviewers like traditional interviews do. Instead, candidates are free to finish the interview whenever it is most convenient for them within a set amount of time. Recruiters can review on-demand interviews as soon as candidates finish them.
Why do companies use on-demand interviews?
On-demand interviews are popular among companies for a variety of compelling reasons, as they speed the hiring process and enhance candidate evaluation. The following are the main justifications why companies choose on-demand interviews:
1. Time Savings
Scheduled and coordinated live interviews with several candidates are no longer necessary with on-demand interviews. Candidates can receive interview invitations at once from a company, and they can record their responses whenever it’s convenient within a set time limit. Both candidates and recruiting teams benefit from enhanced time-saving measures.
2. Cost savings
Conducting on-demand interviews eliminates the need for live video interviews or in-person meetings, which might incur costs for travel and lodging. Employing video platforms for pre-recorded interviews enables businesses to lower the cost of the initial screening procedure.
3. Consistency and standardization
On-demand interviews enable fair evaluation of all candidates because of their consistency and standardization and use of pre-written questions. This uniformity makes it possible to compare candidates fairly and aids in determining who is the best match for the position.
4. Improved Candidate Experience
Candidates who participate in on-demand interviews have more time to prepare their answers, which lowers interview anxiety and gives them the chance to better present their abilities and qualifications.
5. Global Reach
Businesses can effectively evaluate applicants from various geographic places, making it simpler to recruit and evaluate talent from various backgrounds.
6. Enhanced Collaboration
On-demand interviews give the hiring team the ability to analyze and assess candidates’ responses simultaneously, encouraging group decision-making.
7. Reduced Bias
On-demand interviews can aid in reducing any biases in the initial screening process by utilizing standardized questions and anonymously grading responses.
8. Better Data Insights
Since recorded answers from on-demand interviews can be played back repeatedly, thorough evaluation and comparison of candidates’ performance is possible.
9. Efficiency in Screening
On-demand interviews allow recruiters and hiring managers to quickly screen a large number of candidates. This is particularly valuable when dealing with a high volume of applicants for a position.
10. Flexibility for Candidates
Candidates appreciate the flexibility offered by on-demand interviews. They can complete the interview from the comfort of their own space, avoiding both the stress and time commitment associated with traditional interviews.
11. Global Recruitment
For companies with a global presence, on-demand interviews provide a means to assess candidates from different time zones without the need for synchronous communication. This helps eliminate geographic constraints in the early stages of the hiring process.
12. Automated Screening with AI
Many on-demand interview platforms use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze candidate responses. This automated screening process can assess factors such as language use, facial expressions, and communication skills, providing additional insights to recruiters.
13. Reduced Bias in Initial Screening
By relying on recorded responses, on-demand interviews can help reduce unconscious bias in the initial screening process. Recruiters can focus on the content of the responses rather than being influenced by personal characteristics.
14. Integration with Technology Platforms
On-demand interview platforms often integrate seamlessly with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and other HR technology. This integration allows for a cohesive recruitment process, from receiving applications to making hiring decisions.
15. Ability to Assess Soft Skills
Video interviews enable recruiters to assess candidates’ soft skills, such as communication, interpersonal abilities, and presentation skills. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s suitability for a role.
16. Fast-Tracking Initial Screening
The asynchronous nature of on-demand interviews allows recruiters to fast-track the initial screening process. This is particularly beneficial when there is a need to fill positions quickly or when dealing with urgent hiring requirements.
17. Flexible Scheduling
Unlike traditional interviews that require coordination between the interviewer and the candidate, on-demand video interviews provide flexibility. Candidates can record their responses at a time that suits them, within a specified timeframe set by the employer.
18. Elimination of Geographic Constraints
This format eliminates geographical barriers, allowing candidates from different locations to participate without the need for travel. It is particularly beneficial for companies with global recruitment needs.
How does an on-demand video interview work?
On-demand video interviews are conducted with the help of a video platform which allows the candidates to answer and record the pre-set questions so this process involves the following steps:
1. Interview Questions by Recruiters
Recruiters generally set the questions according to the position they want to hire. Employers can evaluate candidates’ credentials, abilities, experience, and general fit for the job through the use of interview questions, which are an essential part of the hiring process. Good interview questions provide important details about a candidate’s skills, working style, capacity for problem-solving, and compatibility with the company’s culture and values.
For example, candidates are asked to give concrete instances from their prior experiences in behavioral questions to illustrate how they handled particular events, problems, or accomplishments. “Could you describe a circumstance where you had to deal with a challenging team member and how you handled it?” is one example of a question.
2. Sending invitations to candidates
When doing an on-demand video interview, the initial steps are invitation and access. Selected candidates are invited to participate in the interview via email as well as given the appropriate access to the interview platform during these processes.
An essential element in the on-demand video interview procedure is platform login. Candidates must log in to the designated interview platform after getting an invitation to participate to access and complete the interview.
An exclusive access link to the interview platform is included with the interview invitation. This connection is unique to each applicant and ensures that only those invited can attend the interview. Candidates could occasionally be asked to register for an account on the interview platform with their email address and a password of their choosing. Candidates can now safely log in and access the interview whenever it’s convenient for them.
3. Candidates start the interview
Typically, the on-demand video interview platform begins with an introduction that describes the interview process and guidelines. Candidates also get the chance to familiarize themselves with the process by doing a sample question.
4. Candidates record and submit the response
Candidates are given a list of pre-set interview questions as soon as they get access to the interview platform. One question at a time is presented. Before beginning to record their answer, candidates read the question. Candidates typically have a set amount of time for each question to record their responses. This time limit, which varies depending on how complicated the subject is, is intended to make sure that applicants give concise and well-focused answers.
5. Recruiters view the responses and share the results
Each candidate’s recorded responses to the pre-set interview questions are accessible to the recruiter. They can watch the videos and judge the applicants’ expertise, problem-solving capabilities, and general suitability for the job. The interviewer can make notes or evaluate each candidate’s performance using the tools offered by the interview platform as they see them respond. Additionally, they could rank candidates according to predetermined standards or give feedback for later consideration.
6. AI Analysis (Optional)
Some on-demand video interview platforms incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) for analysis. AI algorithms may assess various aspects of the recorded responses, such as language use, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues, providing additional insights for recruiters.
7. Final shortlisting is done
Based on the evaluation standards specified for the post, candidates are compared with one another. Finding people who most closely match the job’s needs and have the ability to thrive in the workplace is the objective. The hiring team’s subjective judgment and the results of the objective assessments are combined to form the basis of the final shortlisting selections. Final shortlisted candidates advance to the next phase of the employment process. To make the best and most successful recruiting decision possible, you can now further evaluate and appraise your candidates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, on-demand video interviews have emerged as a transformative tool in modern recruitment processes, offering benefits for both candidates and hiring organizations. The asynchronous nature of these interviews provides flexibility, enabling candidates to showcase their skills at a time that suits them while allowing recruiters to streamline the initial screening process. As technology continues to play a pivotal role in talent acquisition, on-demand video interviews contribute to greater efficiency, reduced time-to-hire, and a more positive candidate experience.
Also, read: What is a one-way video interview?
