HR departments are crucial to finding the right talent to bring into the company, but they don't always have large budgets. A strategy that is increasing in use is video interviewing, which, for relatively little cost, can allow HR professionals at smaller companies to interview applicants who may not be able to meet with company representatives and hiring managers face to face. According to an infographic in Inc. magazine, there is a link between small HR budgets and increased use of video interviewing. In fact, 6 in 10 HR managers now turn to video platforms to meet job candidates.
But HR professionals need to follow certain best practices when they conduct video interviews, or they could find themselves in noncompliance with employment legislation and unable to hire the best new workers. As part of effective workforce management, HR professionals need to understand what creates great video interviews.
Here are four practices HR representatives should embrace if they want to make the most of video interviewing:
1. Invest in the right tools
There are myriad video interviewing solutions currently available that HR professionals need to choose from, and it makes a difference which tools are chosen. While HR representatives must invest in a platform the department can afford, they also need to take into consideration ease of use, available features and reliability. According to PC World, there are many tools that offer live and on-demand interviewing and can also being integrated into existing applicant tracking software, which is a type of HR software. Know your company's video interviewing needs and search for the platforms that provide the best features within your business' available budget. Some systems offer a monthly fee for services depending on the size of the company.
Yet HR professionals can't forget how easy candidates are able to use these tools, because if interviewees can't use the software correctly, offering video interviewing doesn't offer employers many benefits. Keep this in mind when searching for systems.
2. Ask if you want to record it
According to ERE.net, there are certain platforms that allow job seekers to record their answers to questions, with interviewees having a certain number of takes to get their answers right. Yet many HR professionals want to be able to replay the live interview to look for clues in the applicant's body language to help reduce the candidate pool. Being able to record interviews is one of the many benefits of conducting this form of interviewing, but it's important that HR professionals first ask candidates if the meeting can be recorded. Some interviewees may not like being recorded during the live interview, and prefer to make the meeting as traditional as possible. HR professionals should always ask candidates if they can be recorded.
3. Follow standard interview guidelines and etiquette
Don't ask questions you wouldn't ask during a traditional face-to-face conversation during a video interview. Treat it as much like a normal interview, but there are additional tips regarding questions and etiquette that HR professionals should follow. According to ERE.net, ask the questions you need answered the most at the beginning of the interview in case the connection drops or there are issues with the technology.
4. Don't forget the importance of body language
Even though HR professionals are on camera, they should act as they would during a normal interview. According to the infographic in Inc., body language makes up 93 percent of people's conversations. Think about your face, tone of voice and word choices during the interview, as these are the primary conveyors of communication, according to the infographic. Use positive body language, such as eye contact, like you would during a traditional face-to-face interview, and try not to move too much during the conversation.