As part of our Leading Voices in TA series, this week we are thrilled to have Susan Collins, the former Head of Talent Acquisition for Talbots and founder of The Network Concierge, taking over our blog for the day with her thoughts on video interviewing...
As a Talent Acquisition leader and self-professed TA nerd. I am always on the hunt for ways to improve the candidate experience. I am constantly chasing ways to make life easier for the recruiting team and create better communication and experiences for those chasing their dreams.
We all know, for as long as the Applicant Tracking System has been around, there has been someone complaining about their resume going into the BLACK HOLE. In the defense of all recruiters, especially in high volume recruiting positions, sometimes there is just not enough time in the day to get it all done. So how do we prioritize?
What if video was the answer to the next generation of candidate experience? It could be the perfect compliment to the Applicant Tracking System (which we will always need).
Think about it:
(1) Candidates are trying everything they can think of to get in front of the hiring manager and recruiters, this gives them excitement of a new avenue to pursue.
(2) What you cannot say on paper, you can convey in a story with video.
(3) Looking into someone’s eyes helps people feel connected, opening opportunities they may not have gotten with a resume alone.
(4) Video makes you memorable. Imagine already showing up to an interview memorable, it will help with creating a connection.
(5) Everyone feels better when they feel like they were heard. It creates good will with your candidates.
(6) I think we can all agree we are looking for the candidate eager to go the extra mile, the candidate who displays grit and is willing to take on one more challenge to prove themselves. Video will allow some candidates to set themselves apart from their competition.
(7) It stretches us all outside of our comfort zones, which in the end provides us all with opportunities to grow.
The pandemic has given us an opportunity to look at everything we are doing and question it. It has sped up technology, created urgency in the change cycle and it is exciting to see teams step out of their comfort zones and not only try new things but make things better.
We, as Talent Acquisition professionals, have huge responsibilities in this process, which I have written about in part two of my article – The Perfect Video Interview.
I would love to continue the conversation. What other changes have you made or pursued to improve our profession? I would love to hear and learn from you!