Businesses are always on the lookout for ways to be more competitive and unique in the midst of stiff competition. One of the ways they have achieved this in the recruitment sector is by embracing video interviews in their processes rather than relying only on the phone.

Recruitment companies understand that they have to devise better means of attracting and choosing candidates to expand their talent pool at this time, when quality candidates are a premium in many sectors.

The use of video interviews simplifies and enhances the recruitment process, whilst increasing the chances of finding quality candidates at a reduced average cost.

Why have more recruiters embraced the video interview?

1. It helps the recruiter judge subtle details like facial gestures, posture and dress code without the candidate being in the same physical location as the interviewer.

2. It gives the recruiter the chance to interface with a wider candidate pool without the restrictions of time and location. This increases the possibility of finding the best possible candidate for any specific position.

3. Video interviews enhance collaboration between all parties involved in a recruitment process. They can involve recruitment agencies, HR departments and business leaders. Such meetings are highly cost effective, whilst allowing stakeholders to have post interview discussions and make better decisions.

4. Video interviews impress high-level candidates, and get more of them to interview. Many potential candidates will not travel to an interview for a speculative role. A video interview is a great way to engage more candidates in the interview process and potentially attract the otherwise unobtainable candidates; some of whom might be perfect for the role.

5. Recruitment agencies rely on their ability to conduct video interviews on a regular basis. They also need to engage and impress their clients. Video conferencing technologies can foster improved collaboration with all stakeholders in the recruitment process.

These are just a few of the many reasons that recruitment businesses have embraced video interviews and video conferencing. The flexibility and increased opportunity it offers recruiters is unrivalled. It reduces travel related costs and means interviews can be booked at short notice. Video interview tools can also offer interview recording functionality for secondary analysis.

Below are some recruitment functions that have embraced the use of video interviews in their recruitment process.

Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School regularly organises remote interviews between students and employers. Their video conferencing facility has simplified the process and increased the number of employers looking to recruit directly from the school. This has translated to more worldwide opportunities for the students. The businesses recruiting from the school also benefit from being able to choose from quality talent pools far away from their physical location.

In the 2013/14 session alone, over 60 students benefitted from the use of video interviews. Employers from Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and North America all took part in the video interview sessions.

University of Sheffield

In a bid to find a cost and time-efficient alternative to interviews, the university deployed video conferencing solutions. This not only helped the university achieve its main aims, it also helped reduce its carbon contributions due to its encouragement of reduced travel. 

Some of the features of the video conferencing solution include: a soundproofed room (reducing distortion and increasing confidentiality), real time speech, a 40-inch screen and appropriate microphones.

The system combines to provide a quality video interview experience that has dramatically enhanced the University’s recruitment process.

BPS World

BPS is another business that has embraced the use of video interview in their recruitment strategy. The business has enjoyed the advantage of having this solution as an easier on-the-spot mechanism for the assessment of the interpersonal skills of prospective candidates. This has ensured they only recruit people that fit the culture of the company. A phone interview had previously made the interview process difficult, if not impossible.

Video conferencing technology has also helped the company to drastically cut down on the costs of recruitment-linked travel, as well as costs on other corporate travel.

The recruitment sector today is highly competitive. Only recruiters ready to employ the latest corporate technology, such as video conferencing, are able to break beyond the geographical and logistical barriers hindering them from finding the best talent. In the future it is likely that only those adopting technology will be able to survive, no matter thrive.

About Videonations

Videonations is a leading video conferencing and audio visual integrator, committed to providing solutions to help improve collaboration in the workplace and reduce costs. Speak to us about your video requirements. Freephone 0800 1 124 124.