Through the pandemic, everyone is learning to get more and more used to being on video. That being said, it’s no mystery there’s a plethora of video services on the market right now. But the most crucial distinction is in their uses. Each tool has its own time and place. Video interviewing platforms frequently field questions around the benefits of implementing video interviews when you are already using a video chat or video conferencing tool. When it comes to the interview process, it’s crucial to the candidate experience, time to hire, and hiring goals, to use the best tool to suit your needs.
The main difference between video services is their intended use. Let’s dive into what makes each distinct.
Video Chat vs. Video Conference vs. Video Interview
To begin with, the most basic form of video service, video chat is meant for personal use and quick one-off calls. These products include Skype, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime. They are used on both computers and mobile devices. Their widespread personal use makes them unattractive for video interviewing.
Video conferencing software’s use for video interviews is also on the rise due to its expanded capabilities. These products are ones like Zoom, WebEx, and GoToMeeting. But these tools are meant more for general business purposes and therefore limit your capabilities specifically for hiring.
Finally, video interviewing platforms are purpose-built for recruitment. This means they’re designed exclusively for hiring. These tools automatically include additional features to enhance the hiring process and is what makes them critically different from the other two forms of video software.
Types of Video Interviews
The most critical built-for-hiring difference between video interviewing platforms and other video software is the types of interviews you can create with each tool. For video chat and video conferencing services, this is limited to a live video interview.
Live Video Interview
Live video interviews allow you to converse with candidates in real time no matter where they are. Some video services allow you to record the interview, but this is usually a cumbersome process and results in a large file equally cumbersome to share with others. On a video interviewing platform, live interviews are recorded automatically and can be shared with hiring managers to solicit feedback in just a few clicks.
One-Way Video Interview
The additional edge gained with a video interviewing platform is the one-way video interview. This format of interview allows you to set interview questions as well as parameters like think time, take settings, and timed responses. Candidates then record their answer to your questions, “selfie-style” on their own time.
This results in huge efficiency gains for the hiring team. Gone are the phone screens where one knows two minutes in the candidate is not a good fit for the open role.
An added benefit of one-way video interviews is best explained by Kevin Miller, Director of Growth at Open Listings:
“We had used Google Hangouts and Zoom.us with some regularity, but never had a structured tool that we used team-wide. It wasn’t until we tried a video interviewing platform that we introduced a consistent video standard.”
One-way video interviews unlock the ability to know with confidence candidates have the exact same interview experience, and the opportunity to use the resources, such as a candidate boot camp, at their disposal to put their best face forward.
Beyond the criticality of one-way interviews, video interviewing platforms are built specifically for organizations serious about their hiring.
Enhanced Hiring Features
Using a video chat or conference service for your video interviewing needs makes you miss out on tons of valuable features you could get with a true video interviewing platform. A platform typically comes loaded with features to not only improve interviews, but the candidate experience, efficiency of the process, as well as foster improved collaboration with key decision makers.
Branding
Each step of the video interviewing experience is customizable. Interview invitations are templates customized so they sound like you wrote every one. The interview experience includes a brand’s colors and logo, and just like a one-way interview, the branding remains consistent and personal from interview to interview.
Interview Evaluation
Expect your video interviewing platform to automatically record both types of video interview. This way, the interviews can be reviewed and rated. Additionally, this allows you to organize interviews by their rating and shortlist for the next round. Some elite tools also have easy rejection management, allowing interview reviewers to easily let candidates know if they didn’t make it to the next round.
Interview Collaboration
Using a video interviewing platform, nobody has to rely on others’ interview notes. Instead, hiring decision makers have the ability to hear straight from candidates. Once candidates get through their initial screening, a shortlist can be created to solicit feedback from colleagues and hiring managers. This can even occur entirely independent of the initial reviewers’ review. This means more unbiased opinions are available for hiring decisions.
Support You’ll Love
We’ve all heard horror stories about technical failures on video chat services, and even video conferencing services aren’t much better. But with a video interviewing platform, the company handles any and all technical support, rather than the hiring team. The best part is, you don’t have to troubleshoot for candidates!
World class training and support
Onboarding specialists are paired with new accounts solely to ensure those new to video interviewing get off to a fantastic start. These specialists are there to guide users through creating accounts, setting up jobs and interviews, and ensuring nobody is overwhelmed with the technology.
Drop a line, anytime
Look for a video interviewing solution that offers 24/7 technical support. This ensures no matter where an interviewer is located, or when a candidate chooses to complete their interview, someone is available to answer questions and troubleshoot any issues. Every request should get personally taken care of by a member of the video interview platform’s team.
Incredible concierge services
Participating in a live video interview? Interview participants, yes – interviewers and candidates alike! – should be able to connect with a member of the video interviewing platform’s support team for a test interview to make sure everything is set up for a successful interview before “the real thing” begins. That way, there’s no last minute scramble when things don’t go perfectly.
The difference between the support of other video services and a video interviewing platform is best summed up by Chad Karlsson, AmeriCorps and VISTA Manager at College Possible:
“Previously, we would use phone screens or conduct Skype interviews. Both processes required a large time commitment to arrange meetings and deal with complications of unavailability and technical challenges. We have never experienced these issues now.”
Between the unique features offered by video interviewing platforms, the improved collaboration and expert support makes a huge difference to you, your candidates, and your organization.
About the Author:
Hannah began her career on Spark Hire’s sales team and now capitalizes on her long-standing passion for writing with the marketing team. When she’s not working on marketing efforts for Spark Hire, she spends her time baking, watching her favorite sports teams, and listening to astronomy, cooking, and history podcasts.
