As Recruiters and Hiring Managers, we have all become used to virtual interviews using Zoom, Google Hangouts, and the like. A video recorded interview is more efficient than starting with a prescreen call or a scheduled interview. A video recorded interview, or one-way interview, can be used to prescreen and streamline the interview process. The candidate presents themselves both visually and verbally.
I started using JobPixel last Fall as a user in the beta-test for the start-up company. New tech and new challenges are always welcome; so I embraced the opportunity. Not much was expected but what I found was a company that genuinely cared about getting it right. The Founder, Omar Khateeb, wanted to adapt the use of prescreening videos to benefit third-party professional recruiters in addition to in-house recruiters and hiring managers. We quickly worked out a couple of hiccups along the way via phone and webcam. I quickly realized the many benefits, including time saving and enriching the quality of a candidate presentation.
Prescreen. The intended and most obvious use of a video recorded interview is to prescreen candidates. By including the request in the application, there is an immediate culling of the unmotivated. When a candidate records a video, the recruiter can see the candidate in action to screen for technical capabilities, job qualifications, and fit.
Internal Collaboration. A recorded video interview can be commented on and shared with the hiring team, and each team member can add their comments.
Candidate Submittal by Recruiter. Third-party recruiters generally submit candidates to their clients or their internal hiring managers with the resume and a bio or internal notes about why they are a good fit for the job and the company. Attaching a link to the online video-recorded interview gives the candidate a leg up. It also adds value for the client by giving them a sneak peek of the candidate. Suppose a candidate’s process did not include the recorded video step, and the recruiter wants to strengthen the candidate’s presentation. In that case, the recruiter can send the video recording link to the candidate after-the-fact explaining how it will augment the candidate’s submittal.
There are free services out there, like MyInterview, but you only get one job post in the free plan. There are limits with each higher plan. The $259/month Performance Plan by MyInterview is limited to 12 active jobs. I need more than that, and I’m just one independent professional recruiter! JobPixel offers a free trial for two weeks. If you get organized beforehand, you can get a lot of bang for the buck. I’m available to help you think through the getting organized part. The Individual Plan is only $149 per month and offers UNLIMITED job posts and UNLIMITED applicant videos.
Two weeks ago, a candidate applied to a position for which they looked nominally qualified – on paper. In reviewing the recorded video interview, I quickly discovered a jewel in the rough. I booked the candidate for a Zoom interview and submitted to the client with the recorded video interview included. The candidate is currently a finalist. Because the position is responsible for nationwide training, the hiring manager asked the finalists to create a video presentation about themselves and three of their strengths. There were no other guidelines. Unexpectedly, this particular candidate blew my socks off! The video presented was a high-quality, well-edited video. It included the candidate speaking to the camera and supporting graphics and images.
On the other side of the coin, I’ve dodged a couple of bullets! One candidate looked good on paper, presented well, and spoke well but dressed in all black and with black window curtains in the background. This candidate was “into horror movies” and volunteered at the bat sanctuary. Looking good on paper did NOT tell the whole story!
The volume of resources on video interviewing has grown exponentially during the pandemic. I’ve written a couple of blog posts on the subject, including looking good on video. A simple search for Video Recorded Interview in a search engine or YouTube will provide lots of free instruction on interviewing and video interviewing. One of the most thorough is CareerVidz on YouTube by Richard McMunn, who founded PassMyInterview.com and How2Become.com. As offered earlier in this post, I am also available as a resource on this subject.