A positive outcome of the last 12 months is the disruption of business communications. Barriers preventing businesses from adopting video communication as a mainstream communication method have dissolved. Although some may still be grieving face-to-face meetings, this format has so many wins.
Bridging the gap between phone and face-to-face.
“It’s not the same as face-to-face!” is one of the main cons we hear about video interviews, and it’s clear that there is a reluctance to continue with video interviews as a critical interview format when social restrictions relax.
Video interviews don’t need to occur instead of in-person interviews but can be richer alternatives to telephone interviews and can work well to support the earlier stages of interview processes when shortlists are typically longer.
70-93% of communication is non-verbal, so video interviews facilitate communication of body language and facial expressions when in-person interviews aren’t possible.
Removes barriers from conventional interviews
Conventional interviews require travel time, travel costs, a suitable meeting place and time away from work. Employers see these investments from the interviewee as a signal of their genuine interest in the role. Some businesses will likely continue to take this approach for this exact reason.
However, as more businesses adopt video interviewing as a standard process, particularly for the early stages of interview processes, companies will need to be flexible about interview format to remain competitive and attract top talent.
With fewer barriers, interviews can be organised at much shorter notice too, supporting employers to remain fast-paced when hiring. With a lower level of investment to interview via video interview, it is possible that recruiters and jobseekers can attract top-talent who are not actively job-searching without them needing to take time away from work.
Increase geographical reach
We touched on how video interviews reclaim travel time, but they are also helpful for expanding the geographical remit of business activities and the pool of suitable candidates. With civil engineering projects changing location, travel time between candidate, office and site, the distance between each is often not equidistant and is open to change. Video interviews save a lot of travel time for the interviewee and interviewer.
Technology in place
Video interviews are here to stay because they are a more accessible form of communication than they may have been previously. New-starter tech is typically more mobile, with web and microphone equipment built-in or provided. The world has become more familiar with multiple video communication platforms, notably Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Webex, and FaceTime, WhatsApp Video call and many more. If one platform doesn’t work, there’s plenty to fall back on.
A recent poll by Workplace by Facebook (a lesser-known internal work and video platform) asked their LinkedIn follower base which platform they prefer to use. Microsoft Teams stood out as the leading platform used by businesses for video communication, taking the lead by 56%. A similar poll of over 1,000 users returned similar results. Microsoft Teams app is ready-to-use from day one, via the app or accessed from a browser. Video interviews on this platform are great. They allow users to utilise several plugins and features such as Whiteboard to quickly visualise ideas, screen sharing to walk through documents or work samples, or exercises.
Forgiving attitude towards environmental distractions
The videos’ pros often outweigh what would have previously put people off using video as a platform for interviews. Although parties will make efforts to limit interview issues by finding a quiet space with a good internet connection, when somebody can’t achieve this, communicators are understanding and forgiving. Muting microphones prevents interference from background noises. Blurred or branded backgrounds limit environmental distractions and support equality by removing the judgement of people’s homes and environment.
Video interviews remove barriers for interviewers and interviewees, support interview processes, are more easily-accessible than ever before and are have many benefits for reclaiming precious time. Video interviews will be back.
