Prepare for video interviewing, says Canavan

03 March 2010

“I don’t see that just doing traditional interviewing will stand the test of time. Everything is being driven online. It’s the way things are going,” Mary Canavan told Recruiter.

“In a couple of years, you probably won’t even have the traditional interview process, because employers will be looking at other more
effective ways of assessing candidates,” she explained.

“There will be a lot more upfront online testing before candidates are invited in, and a lot more checking of candidates’ history and background.” Video conferencing would also increase in popularity, she predicted.

Canavan said The British Library was already making increasing use of assessment centres, psychometric testing and appraisals of candidates’ presentation skills.

Speed was a key driver, said Canavan. “Everybody wants to get people in quickly.”

Equally, she said many candidates didn’t have the time to go through the traditional interview process, because they lead busy lives.