Video interviewing is yet to catch on, says research report

On average UK businesses spend £6k on unsuccessful interviews every year but more than half (55%) have never tried video interviewing techniques, according to research conducted by Foosle.
Tue, 19 Aug 2014 | By Nicola Sullivan On average UK businesses spend £6k on unsuccessful interviews every year but more than half (55%) have never tried video interviewing techniques, according to research conducted by Foosle.

The job website and video interviewing provider’s research also showed that 51% of the 1,000 UK businesses surveyed said they were looking for new ways to reduce cost and two thirds reject 50-75% of applicants after the first interview.

However, recruitment firms such as Streamline Connections, which specialises in IT and technology, have begun to offer video interviewing services to clients.

After partnering with video interviewing platform provider Tazio, the recruiter creates videos messages from candidates applying for management consultant roles. The questions answered vary according to the client, and either relate directly to the job or are designed to get candidates to reveal interesting facts about themselves.

Rob Saltrese, director at Streamline, told Recruiter: “They [the candidates] answer a couple of things that we have set and they go online at home or wherever they can and go through this eight to 10 minute element. This allows the client not only to see their CV but also see them face-to-face and hear their communication skills.

“It gives you [the client] that first snap shot, what you get when you meet your candidate face-to-face after the first 10 minutes.”

Another advocate of video interviewing is Page Group. However Gareth Davage, senior managing director at the recruitment firm, warned of the disadvantages of conducting interviews using FaceTime or Skype.

Davage explains: “Interviewees display a more confident persona over video and do make a positive first impression. However, when flown over to the designated city to meet face-to-face with their potential employer, confidence levels drop significantly and many candidates lack the ability to articulate professionally during the interview process.”

He told Recruiter that video interviewing is more widely used for senior positions, such as managing and chief executive officers.

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