The Top 13 Best Video Interviewing Platforms
The best video interview software we’ve found after extensive research, along with pricing guidelines, benefits, ROI calculations, and more
Weâve updated this guide to reflect the need to conduct video interviews during COVID-19, in addition to all the advice that is relevant during more normal times. We hope it allows your recruiting team to stay nimble and keep moving talent through the funnel despite work-from-home and social distancing protocols.
If youâre looking to qualify more candidates faster, you should definitely start using a video interview solution. HR managers and recruiters are increasingly using these platforms to streamline and expedite their hiring processes as we can see in the data:
- Before COVID-19, a study revealed that video technology was being used by at least 60% of hiring managers and recruiters. Fast forward to this year, a poll of HR leaders found that as many as 86% of organizations are now using virtual technology to interview candidates.
- Not only do hiring managers like video interviewing, but as many as 57% of candidates do too. Moreover, 98% of candidates interviewed via video tend to perceive the employer as innovative – a reputation youâll definitely want to have.
We put in the effort to make this guide awesome
66
Vendors Reviewed
Choose A Suitable Location
It’s important to choose a quiet and suitable location for your video interview. You want your interviewer to focus on you, so find a place that has minimal distractions. Choose a wall with a neutral background, preferably without pictures or art behind you. Make sure you are well lit either by natural light or a nearby light source. Set up your camera so the upper third of your body is clearly visible to the interviewer.
It is extremely important that your location has a reliable internet connection. If you are worried about the internet speed in your home, you can see if your local public library has a private room you can reserve. However, it’s important to avoid coffee shops and other communal spaces, even if they have superior internet.
Pay Attention To The Clock
Usually these interviews have a time-limit. So, put a clock where you can easily see it, and use the time wisely.
One Way Interview Benefit to the Employer
For employers, the benefit assumed is increased efficiency. They reduce the initial manpower hours for scheduling and conducting live interviews, even over the phone, and this can greatly cut down on the time spent reviewing candidates.
If an interviewee does not have a great start, the reviewer can just move on instead of what would have happened in a live interview wasting the time to see it through, or giving the candidate false hope.
The other plus for the employer is that the reviewer or recruiter/human resource person is not identified, so he/she will also cut down on calls from job seekers checking in. Of course, this is not so good for you, the job seeker!
One Way Interview Benefit to the Job Seeker
For job seekers, the primary benefit is avoiding or postponing traveling to the employers location for the interview. This also helps them reduce exposure to the Coronavirus while making progress with their job search.
Some of the one-way platforms offer job candidates the opportunity to review their answers, before submitting their recording, and re-record any answers they think they could improve.
The disadvantages for the job seeker include losing the opportunity to ask questions which are answered immediately, limiting their ability to collect more information about the employer or the interviewer.
Recommended Reading: Questions To Ask Cfo During Interview
Important Tips For Candidates:
Notify Candidates As Soon As Possible
Video interviews, when done correctly, can be just as effective as in-person interviews. The transition to remote interviews may also be to your benefit when working from home, candidates dont have the added stress of coordinating interviews with their in-office work schedule.
Nonetheless, its still a change they need to prepare for. Provide them with clear directions on the equipment theyll need to join the interview internet access, software or video conferencing applications, a quiet space, etc. and emphasize that the change is out of concern for their health and safety, along with that of your employees.
Additionally, communicate expectations as you would for an onsite interview so the candidate is well-prepared for and comfortable with any adjustments. Use the following video interview invitation template to get started.
Subject Line: : Video Interview Availability
Hi ,
Thank you for applying to the position at .
After reviewing your application, we would like to invite you to interview with , our .
So we can get to know you better, the interview will be conducted over video using and last about in total.
We want you to be able to plan accordingly, so weve provided a list of date and time options over the next week. Please take a look, and let us know which date is best for you.
Were looking forward to continuing the conversation.
Best,
Also Check: Interview With Cfo
Ensure You Have A Fast Reliable Internet Connection
If a tree falls in the woods, does anyone hear it? If a new scientific breakthrough is shared on a crummy connection, is it still brilliant?
A poor connection means you risk unclear audio on the call, which is a real deal breaker. No matter what excellent preparation you do for the call, if your interviewers canât hear you or if your video freezes, youâre cooked.
In case youâre curious about your internet speed, sites like Speedtest are great for measuring your bandwidth. Itâs also a good idea to close out of any other programs that might be slowing down your computer or hogging data before your interview starts.
Pay Attention To How You Sound Too
People are usually concerned with how they look in a video interview and often forget to think about how they sound, Turner says. During your practice, take note of how fast you speak, how you pause, and the tone and pitch of your voiceand ask the person youre practicing with if any of these things makes it harder to hear or understand you.
For the sake of any interviewer with a bad connection, be sure to speak clearly and at a reasonable pace, but keep it natural. Just because your interview is being conducted over a computer doesnt mean you can sound like one! Since theres less body languagebased communication in a video interview, you also want the way you speak to help get across how you feel about what youre saying. Make sure you sound excited when discussing the things youre passionate about, for example.
You May Like: Mailscoop Io
Minimize Interruptionsbut Take Them In Stride If They Happen
Do whatever you can to cut down on the chances of being interrupted. If you can, set up in a room where you can close the door and inform anyone you share a space with that they shouldnt disturb you during your interview Check your space the day before for any unexpected distractions. You dont want to be caught off guard by an ongoing construction project, for example. And make sure you turn off or silence your phone or any other electronic device that might make noise and pause any notifications on your computer.
However, if theres a high chance of you being interrupted by something outside of your control, mentioning it at the start can prepare your interviewer and show them youre proactive. It can also help settle your nerves about the situation. For example, if you have a dog in the next room that might start barking, you can make your interviewer aware of that possibility.
Its not about erasing the fact that youre in your home. Its about being as professional as you can given the circumstance, Eonnet says.
Video Interviewing For Staffing Companies
While we are mainly focusing this research on the corporate HR and recruiting use case for video interviewing, the above vendors serve staffing companies as well, and for good reason. Staffing companies can use video to better understand candidates before presenting them to clients. They can also use the video to show a more human side of a candidate vs just a resume and some notes.
Video interviewing also allows you to ensure you are asking questions which are relevant to your client. This means better alignment, as well as information from the candidate that will allow your client to quickly make a decision on whether or not they want to move forward with a candidate.
Read Also: Women’s Outfit For Job Interview
Your Local Public Library
Most public libraries offer free high-speed internet, computer access, resume assistance or other help. Many libraries also provide quiet conference rooms or other private rooms , which you can use to conduct your video interview without disturbing other library patrons. Search for a list of public libraries close to you.
Treat Your Video Interview Like A Conversation
This is key for any interview, but its especially important to treat your video interview like a conversation because thats the only way youll be able to make a connection. You dont have the time before and after the interview to make small talk, so its important to make sure you build rapport during your interview. Be more personable. Be yourself. You want to talk like youre talking to someone you know well while still remaining professional, Turner says.
Make sure your video call is not just question, answer, question, answer, Eonnet says. When your interviewer responds to your answers, feel free to comment on their responses if you have more to say. And sprinkle your own questions throughout your conversation whenever theyre appropriate rather than waiting for the end. You want your interviewer to see you as someone they could talk to every day, not just someone they read a list of questions to.
As a job seeker, you have the same goal in a video interview and an in-person interview: to show that youre the right person for the job. We dont want to lose focus on the heart of what needs to be done, Eonnet says. Ultimately, you want to spend as little time as possible during a video interview focused on the video part. What counts is the connection you can make with an interviewer.
Jobs At CrowdStrike
Recommended Reading: Questions To Ask Cfo In Interview
Have A Backup Pair Of Headphones
In case noise-cancelling headphones die or decide not to work, have a backup pair of headphones nearby!
This has worked for me when Ive counted on my Airpods working and then they decide to act up.
So, I suggest having some old-fashioned non-Bluetooth headphones sitting right nearby for backup use.
I recommend the Apple headphones with the cords.
What Is Your Dream Job
This question trips a lot of people up because usually your dream job isnt exactly the job youre interviewing for .
So are you supposed to say that this job is your dream job? No! you dont have to lie.
Heres what to do: Instead of saying a job title in your answer, just DESCRIBE what your dream job looks like.
Talk about what qualities would make a job exciting to you. And make sure youre tailoring your answer to what this company offers! Again, you dont have to lie just think about making sure your answer isnt opposite to what this job involves.
So heres the process in bullet points:
- Never use a specific job title. Use words that describe what your dream job would look like.
- Choose at least two phrases or words, and pick things related to the job youre interviewing for.
- Finish by showing the interviewer that you did some research about them, and explain why youre interested in their job.
Example: My dream job would be a combination of creating products that are making a difference in the world and getting a chance to share them with as many people as possible. I was excited about this position because I read that millions of people use your companys products each day and it seems like the work youre doing is having a big impact worldwide.
Recommended Reading: Best Interview Clothes For A Woman
Thinking You Can Googleyour Way To Success
For a videointerview, youll use a computer, tablet, or smartphone to connect. This meansa powerful hunk of technology is within grabbing distance. If you get stumpedby a question, you might be tempted to hop online and look for an answer.
Similarly,you might think you can get a leg up by writing out answers to various regularor behavioralinterview questions. Then, you can just read them off when one comesup.
Sure, this might seem like a guaranteed path toward success, but it isnt. In most cases, youll get caught.
Why?
Because the hiring manager can see you and will probably notice when your attention keeps flickering around the screen, or your hands are suddenly clicking on keys.
Even if you try to be stealthy and mute your mic or fake a video feed issue to get that extra moment, thatll come across as suspicious, including if you only do it once. Hiring managers are no dummies. Theyve seen these tricks before.
Resisttemptation and dont try to use a computer or another device for an advantage.If you prepare properly for your interview, youll be fine. Resorting tosubterfuge just isnt necessary, and it could actually cause you to lose out ona job if you get caught.
What Exactly Are Video Interviews
Video interviews are a way to evaluate candidates remotely. Instead of meeting in person or talking on the phone, recruiters and hiring managers can interview candidates virtually, using video interview software or communication tools .
A video interview is usually preferred at early hiring stages as a method to screen a large number of candidates quickly and effectively. It can also be useful when candidates and interviewers are in different locations and cant meet face to face. Theyre a great solution, too, when you want to reach untapped talent, such as remote candidates or employees who prefer flexible work options.
Employers who wish to conduct video interviews during their hiring process need to have a type of video interview software and basic video interview equipment, your computers built-in microphone, camera and speakers will work fine in this case. Its also useful to choose where to do video interviews a quiet room with no distractions is appropriate in this case. Finally, consider creating a simple how to set up a video interview guide with basic technical instructions and video interview tips that you can share with candidates and/or interviewers.
Move the right people forward, faster
Scaling up? Hiring remotely? Keep your pipeline moving with Video Interviews, a premium one-way screening tool from Workable.
Recommended Reading: System Design Interview Prep
Do Have Your Questions About The Role And Company Handy On Real Paper
Well cover this again in the rest of this guide, but take note: its okay to have things written down on your trusty notepad or notebook. Its less ideal to have your interview questions in a Google doc that you have to toggle or Alt+Tab away to, within your desktop.
Essentially, having a notebook at your fingertips and your notes and questions written there allows you to continue giving your interviewer attention while you reference the remarks youd like to bring up. Squinting at an online document that you might accidentally hit share screen on is less than optimal.
Overlooking Whats Inthe Background
When youparticipate in a video interview, you want to come off as the consummateprofessional. But a single inappropriate item in the background can derail thatgoal.
Before your meeting, turn on your camera and see what part of your room shows up in the frame. Then, look at every item closely. Is it something you want the hiring manager to see? If not, get it out of the frame.
Additionally,choose a space you can control, like a room with a lockable door. That way, youdont end up like BBC Dad,Professor Robert Kelly.
MIKE’S TIP:any items that showcase a political leaning, religious preference, or identifies you as a member of a protected group might be best to remove.
You May Like: Top 10 Behavioral Questions
Dont Forget To Follow Up
According to a 2017 Accountemps survey, only 27% of managers receive thank you notes from candidates, but 80% say theyre helpful when reviewing candidates. If youre planning on sending a note, its usually a good idea to do so within 24 hours of your interview and reach out to each person who participated, whether they did so in person or virtually. Theyll appreciate that you put time and effort into your interactions, regardless of the medium.Looking for more interviewing insights from a candidate perspective? Check out this blog post from Kasey Altman, SMB Account Executive at Greenhouse.
is Content Marketing Manager at Greenhouse. Marnie has been in the thought leadership content space for 10 years, previously at WeWork and Oracle. She has a masters in marketing from the University of Denver and a bachelors in English from Colorado State University.
