Where there’s smoke there’s fire, right? Not always. In the case of video interviewing, that smoke can be easily dispersed with a few simple explanations.
As a society, we tend to shy away from things we don’t fully understand — especially when those things involve unfamiliar technology. But it’s that very technology that can help companies become more innovative and competitive with their offerings.
When it comes to screening, interviewing, and hiring today’s top talent, companies need to readily embrace the latest tech tools in order to gain a leg up on the competition. Of these tools, video interviews are a great way to connect with talent and set yourself apart from competitors. However, with any game-changing technology comes misconceptions about what it can and cannot do.
It’s time to put these myths to rest about video interviews. Here are five common misconceptions about video interviews and the truths behind them:
Myth #1: One-way video interviews are impersonal.
Truth: Video interviews are no less personal than traditional interview methods.
Video interviews do not take the hiring professional out of the interview process. In fact, two-way video interviews are no different than in-person interviews in the sense that both parties still connect face-to-face.
One-way video interviews have the potential to feel a little impersonal in comparison to in-person interviews — but they don’t have to feel that way. By simply recording a welcome video, quick office tour, or even yourself as you ask the interview questions, the interview will begin to feel much more personal, which is more than you can say for the traditional phone interview.
Myth #2: Video interviews aren’t needed when hiring locally.
Truth: Video interviews are ideal for hiring both local and long-distance candidates. Video interviews give hiring professionals a unique opportunity to visually connect with candidates they might not otherwise get the chance to meet in person — and that goes for both local and long-distance candidates.
For high-volume screening especially, video interviews give hiring professionals an opportunity to visually connect with and assess candidates both near and far before deciding who to bring in for a more formal, in-person interview. This saves hiring professionals and job candidates valuable time and money.
Myth #3: The benefits of video interview platforms and video chat are the same.
Truth: The only real similarity between the two is the ability to connect with faraway talent.
Not all video technology is created equal. While online video platforms are designed with the common goal of visually connecting people from afar, these platforms were created for very different purposes. Video chat platforms, for instance, are designed to make communication across borders and oceans easy.
Video interview platforms, on the other hand, were created with interviewing in mind. Unlike video chat platforms, platforms designed specifically for connecting job seekers and hiring professionals have a number of interview benefits.
Take collaboration, for example. Video interview platforms are often built with collaboration in mind. They often include tools like comments and rating systems to make collaborating over hiring decisions easy for everyone involved. Another video interview benefit you won’t find with video chat is the ability to brand the interview experience with a logo, photos, or company colors.
Myth #4: Video interviews keep candidates from applying.
Truth: Video interviewing is an innovative tool that attracts equally innovative candidates.
The belief that candidates have to be tech savvy to be able to participate in a video interview is flat-out wrong. If you can work Skype or YouTube, you can work video interviews. And, rather than pushing qualified candidates away, video interviews attract them.
According to a recent study by technology recommendation site Software Advice, nearly half of the respondents with prior video interview experience prefer video interviews to other long-distance interview formats like the phone interview (which only 36 percent prefer). The numbers speak for themselves.
Myth #5: Video interviews are more trouble than they’re worth.
Truth: They’re easier than you think.
Video interviews are often cited as complicated and costly, but that couldn’t be more wrong. Video interviews are an investment that can actually save companies — and candidates — money on travel costs associated with in-person interviews. And, as a cloud-based platform, video interviews take little to no effort to implement.
What’s more, candidates are already equipped with everything they need to take part in a video interview: a computer, smartphone, or tablet, a webcam, and an Internet connection.