The Pros and Cons of Video Interviewing Contract Candidates
(Editor’s Note: This is the next in a series of guest blog posts about contract staffing, courtesy of Top Echelon Contracting, the recruiter’s back-office solution. Similar posts will appear in future issues of The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog.)
Technology is changing the way we do almost everything, and it seems that job interviews are no exception.
With the advent of Skype and other Internet video tools, video interviewing is supplementing, and in some cases replacing, the traditional in-person job interview process.
But is it right for you and your clients?
You might want to consider the following pros and cons before deciding whether or not video interviewing is the right way to go:
| Pros | Cons |
| Save travel costs for long-distance candidates | Candidate must have access to the Internet and a Web cam. |
| Expedites interview process | Technical problems could hamper interview. |
| Can assess “body language,” which is not possible in phone interviews | Must be careful not to disqualify candidate based on protected class (race, disability, etc.) learned about through video |
| Convenient for candidate | Candidates may be uncomfortable in front of a camera. |
| Video interviews can be recorded for review later. | |
| A “green” alternative to having candidates travel for interviews |
There are a variety of options for video interviewing, ranging from Skype’s free service to fee-based services that offer advanced features (e.g., allowing a large number of people on the video call). Typically, video interviewing options can be broken down into two types:
- Live—These are the kind that are performed on Skype where both the interviewer and candidate are present and interact with each other on the video.
- Recorded—Interview questions are sent to the candidate, and they record their answers online via their Web cams for the employer to review later. There is no interviewer present. These are often used in place of phone interviews to pre-screen multiple candidates.
Video interviews may be worth a look, especially if you’re placing contractors. Contract positions often need to be filled quickly, and the candidates are often remote, making video interviews an attractive option.
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DFledderjohann@TopEchelonContracting.com
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