How to Leverage Video Interviews for your Small Business

The push to return to the office has both advocates and opponents, but ultimately, remote work doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. And neither is remote interviewing. 

According to a recent Indeed survey, 82% of respondents implemented video interviews due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And 93% say they plan to continue using them, citing several employer benefits and an overall improvement in the hiring experience. 

In a joint study by StandOut CV and Job Description Library, only 22% of employers planned on ditching video interviews after the COVID-19 lockdown lifted, with the vast majority of those surveyed finding it too beneficial to lose. The survey also found, as of January 2021, video calls have officially replaced telephone or face-to-face meetings as the most popular way to conduct first-stage interviews. 

Is it time for your small business to start using video interviews to screen your candidates?

The benefits of video interviews for small businesses

1. Increases flexibility
   There are multiple ways to conduct a video interview. One form requires an online meeting time for the interviewer and interviewee to speak.But you can also use a different type called a one-way video interview, where the interviewer sends over a list of questions, and the interviewee makes a video answering them on their own schedule. This flexibility benefits candidates with a challenging schedule who may not otherwise be able to come to the office for an interview during business hours.
2. Widens talent pool
   According to a survey by MRI Network, 63% of recruiters say their biggest challenge is finding suitable candidates who are qualified for their open position.By relying on face-to-face interviews, you’re limited to candidates who can attend in person. Through video interviews, you can increase your candidate pool by being able to interview people who would otherwise not be able to physically meet you at the office.
3. Saves time
   Video interviews have been found to be six times faster than phone interviews. Overall, video interviewing methods can reduce the time it takes to fill a job role by seven to 14 days. According to the joint StandOut CV and Job Description Library survey, 45% of recruiters say video interviews significantly helped speed up the hiring process.
4. Saves money
   Using video interviews can make the hiring process better and less expensive for your candidates, who shell out an average of over $60 per interview – the majority of it travel costs.Using video interviewing saves your candidates from unwanted, added expenses, which may give candidates a more favorable view of your company.
5. Allows for further review
   Whether you’re speaking face-to-face or on the phone, you want to remember what your candidate says. That requires you to either take notes or find a way to record the call.With video interviews, it’s easy to record your meetings. You could even opt for a tool that has your candidates record a video and send it to you, saving you even more time and hastle. Also, with a recording, you can easily share the interview with other stakeholders who have a say in the hiring process.

Tips for leveraging video interviews as a small business owner

1. Send links in advance
   There may be several benefits to video interviews, but this joint study found that some candidates feel there are also drawbacks, namely the difficulty of relying on the internet. Candidates fear their internet connection will drop out. Seven in 10 candidates say they’ve missed out on a job opportunity due to technology issues.By sending over a video chat link in advance of the call, you’re allowing them time to check for any potential problems and test their internet’s reliability on the call.
2. Include additional resources
   As a small business, your brand might still be getting off the ground. While you want your candidates to come prepared with knowledge of your company in their interview, there may not be much information to be found online just yet.While the same study found recruiters want candidates to have a basic understanding of the company they’re interviewing with, 78% of candidates say it’s challenging to find such details prior to the interview.When you send the link to the video call, attach a few resources that can help your candidates understand the role and your company.
3. Test your own technology and surroundings
   Candidates may be concerned about their own internet stability, but you should also make sure your technology won’t mess with the quality of the call.Before your video interview, test your microphone, camera, and internet connection. You should also ensure you’re in a place where you won’t be interrupted. Taking these steps shows you’re being respectful of your candidate’s time, which can make the hiring experience better for everyone.

Interviewing in today’s tech-savvy world

Video interviewing saw a drastic increase thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, but today it’s still a major part of hiring processes for enterprises and small businesses alike. 

Looking for even more ways to improve your own business’s hiring process? Check out these interview best practices.