Is video interviewing the future of marketing recruitment?
- January 08, 2019
Today’s technology has equipped us with a number of tools to help make modern life easier, especially when it comes to communication. Thanks to FaceTime and Skype, video interviewing is just one way businesses are using technology to save time and money. More and more companies using video interviews to connect with potential employees, especially at the first interview stage where a video interview can be used as a replacement for a phone screening. But just how practical is video interviewing? Can it ever really replace traditional face-to-face interviews? And is it right for your agency? Read on to find out more about the pros and cons of video interviewing in marketing recruitment…
It appeals to the job seekers of today
In today’s world, more and more people are using digital channels to communicate. From Facebook to FaceTime, the fact is that we live in a digital age - and the vast majority of people are now comfortable communicating digitally. Although this is the case for employees of all ages, it is especially true for young people who tend to be more tech-savvy. Not only will young people prefer to do interviews online, but because they are used to living their lives on the go, a video interview via a smartphone can easily fit into how they live their lives. In addition, they’ll also be more attracted to a company that is open to interviewing in such a way because it shows shared values and priorities, which is increasingly important to young people. Basically, if you want your agency to keep up with the times and remain competitive in the eyes of the workforce of the future, it’s time to get digital!
It saves time
With two-thirds of interviews being conducted outside of office hours, video interviews are simpler, easier and more flexible. That means you can get those interviews booked in and save valuable recruitment time - and in a competitive market where candidates have the power, it pays to show that you can be flexible and interview at a time that suits them. Don’t forget that the sooner you interview your candidates, the less chance there is of them arranging interviews with competitors - and not only that but by cutting out things such as booking an interview room and emailing back and forth to agree on times, you’ll also simplify the entire interview process. In fact, conducting video interviews saves a whopping 40% of time spent on scheduling.
It saves money
It’s not just about saving time - video interviews can also save you money too. Because video fills open positions 20% faster, you can significantly cut down on recruitment costs, and there are other ways it saves money too. Think about it: when you have a round of interviews at your office, you invite candidates, make them comfortable, you might pay for their travel and you might even use additional overheads - and you lose time and money due to all these secondary activities. Now consider a video interview - you simply log in, sit back and conduct your interview. And not only that, but you can get right back to your regular activities as soon as the interview is done, which means your interviews won’t get in the way of productivity either.
You can make faster - and better - decisions
If you realise early on your candidate simply isn’t right for you, it’s easier to bring a video interview to a close rather than drag things out simply because they’ve made a 30-minute trip to see you. Not only that, but you’ll also find you’ll spend less time and effort on no-shows than you would for a face to face situation too. And when it comes to deciding on the person for the job, because you can record video interviews, you can watch the interview again and look out for anything you might have missed before, or go back over any answers you are unclear about - which means you can be completely sure that you have selected the best candidate for the job.
The Negatives
It can’t all be positive though, and there are some negatives to video interviews too. Obviously one of the biggest downsides to video interviews is that they are so dependent on internet connection. If there’s a dodgy connection with frequent disconnects or a poor video or audio quality, it may mean you move on without giving candidates a fair chance, which may mean you miss out on the perfect candidate just because of connectivity issues. And of course, some people argue that nothing is better than face-to-face when it comes to deciding on something as important as the next hire for your business.
Is video interviewing the future of marketing recruitment? Although there are still issues surrounding connectivity, interviewing by Skype and FaceTime can make the interview process simpler, less time-consuming and more effective - and like ‘em or loathe ‘em, we think that video interviews are only going to get more popular as internet speeds get faster. If you’re looking for the perfect new addition to your team or would like some help and advice about how to conduct a video interview, contact Stonor Recruitment today.