Josh TolanHere at Spark Hire, we’re excited so many companies use virtual interviews during their hiring process. In fact, more than half of the organizations that participated in our latest research conducted with HR.com report using video interviews. And only 2 percent of those companies that tried video interviews said they were unsuccessful.
Regardless of whether you’ve added video technology to your hiring process yet, it’s time to let you in on a secret: you can get more out of virtual interviews. By using a dedicated video interview platform — instead of a video chat tool — you get a valuable resource that provides more information about candidates and improves your hiring process for everyone involved.
Here are three benefits unique to dedicated video interview platforms our research with HR.com uncovered:
Better user experience
The intent behind a product’s design is the foundation for its user experience. Skype and other standard video chat platforms were created to enable users to carry on conversations with family and friends. Yes, it is possible to conduct video interviews with these tools, but that is not their primary purpose. As a result, there are certain aspects of the user experience that suffer.
Our previously mentioned research revealed only 40 percent of respondents who use Skype-like platforms have a good or excellent experience with the technology. Comparatively, 78 percent of users who use a dedicated video interview platform report a good or excellent experience.
Take technical support, for instance. When a video call drops while you’re catching up with a friend, it’s annoying but not costly. When it happens during a virtual interview, it wastes time, valuable resources, and hurts both parties’ impressions of each other.
Dedicated video interview platforms are designed with the importance of each call in mind. They let you and the candidate check connectivity and other technical issues before the interview, so everything goes off without a hitch. Instead of worrying about potential tech problems, you can focus on what you’re an expert at, assessing talent.
Huge time savings
The purpose of most technology is to make life easier and save time. Virtual interviews allow you to quickly evaluate candidates without bringing them into the office. In fact, our research showed 62 percent of virtual interview users lowered their time-to-hire. But using a dedicated platform takes time-saving one step further.
First, one-way video interviews are an efficient initial screening feature, through which candidates record responses to a few questions you are able to review, at a convenient time for you, in under 15 minutes. Additionally, the scheduling feature of video interview platforms saves time by eliminating back-and-forth communication. Instead of sending candidates a few options about your availability and waiting hours or days for their reply, you simply send a link where they see every option open to them. In a matter of minutes, they are able secure a time slot that fits into both of your schedules.
Video interview platforms save time by making talent sourcing easier and more efficient. Even if a candidate isn’t right for your current vacancy, they could be perfect for a future role. Dedicated video interview platforms allow you to revisit past candidates’ virtual interviews before spending time sourcing new talent. Yet, according to our research, only 22 percent of video interview users are currently building up a talent library. If you start using a dedicated platform, it will put you ahead when competing for talent.
Improved candidate experience
It doesn’t matter how efficient your hiring process is if candidates don’t have a good experience. If they complete the hiring process feeling disrespected, frustrated, or undervalued, they won’t accept your job offer. Plus, what they say to other job seekers about their experience will damage your employer brand.
Luckily, our research revealed less than 10 percent of candidates disliked their experience with virtual interviews. When you make the most out of a video interview platform, you impress candidates even more.
For instance, these platforms have features that allow you to incorporate your company logo, colors, and branding material. When candidates see customized communications and pages during the hiring process, it deepens their connection with your organization. While it’s a great opportunity to provide more information about your organization, our research showed only 14 percent of users see virtual interviews for their branding potential.
Candidates don’t want to be involved in a lifeless hiring process. They want to get excited about your organization’s personality and values. Dedicated video interview platforms allow you to customize how the platform looks, so they have a richer candidate experience.
Using virtual interviews is an integral part of your hiring process. But if you want to get the most out of your strategy, you need a dedicated video interview platform. Its features — which are specifically for hiring — will improve how you attract and assess candidates.
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Guest Post
Spark Hire
