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Experts say there are good reasons for doing the video interview: They're easy, cheaper than flying someone in and may give the recruiter a better sense of the potential employee than a phone call.
It’s no secret that searching for a job has changed a lot in recent years, from the influx of online application systems to the fact that there just aren’t a lot of jobs out there.
Now, there’s another new twist: More companies than ever are shunning the old-fashioned phone screening in favor of video job interviews, a new survey finds.
The OfficeTeam survey of more than 500 human resources managers at companies with 20 or more employees found that more than six in 10 are now doing video interviews at least somewhat often, up from fewer than two in 10 just a year ago.
Experts say there are good reasons for doing the video interview: They’re easy, cheaper than flying someone in and may give the recruiter a better sense of the potential employee than a regular phone call.
“It helps companies narrow the candidate pool down quicker,” said Kelsey Fast, a division director for Office Team in Seattle.
Still, she said video meetings are not replacing the live interview, yet. Anyone who's ever seen the movie "Up in the Air" - in which an employee is fired by videoconference - knows the potential pitfalls of having a difficult conversation remotely.
Many employers are using the videoconference as a screening tool and then bringing the finalists in for in-person discussions, Fast said.
Fast, said she finds video interview give a potential employer a better sense of the applicant than a phone call would, from their facial expressions to how they exude confidence.
“You obviously get to see how they present themselves,” she said.
Still, she conceded that for people who are camera-shy, it can add more pressure to an already nerve-racking experience.
That could be exacerbated for people who fear they might be judged by employers based on their age, weight, gender or race.
That, of course, would be illegal.
Justine Lisser, senior attorney adviser in the office of communications for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, said video resumes and video interviews are not illegal. But a company can get into hot water if it looks like they are using video tools in a discriminatory way.
For example, if a company were only requesting video resumes or interviews from people with Hispanic-sounding names, that could be a sign of discrimination.
“(It’s) not technically illegal but could be evidence of a discriminatory intent,” she said.
The EEOC posted informal guidance about tools such as video resumes in response to a query, but such posts do not carry the weight of law.
If you do land a video interview, Fast said a key first step is to choose an appropriate location for the interview. It should be quiet and free of distractions like bright lights or barking dogs.
In other words, don’t do a video interview in your kid’s room or at a coffee shop.
Also, dress for success. Fast recommends wearing a suit, avoiding bold patterns or colors and not assuming you will only be seen from the waist up. That means no PJs or fuzzy slippers under the jacket and tie.
“Dress and groom (as) you would for any face-to-face interview,” she said. “(The) first impression is key, so I would always be overrepared and suit up.”
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Leave a Comment:
I would always be overrepared and (WHAT) ?
You mean I can't be in my skivvies drinking a beer?
Overrepared is an obvious boo-boo. Allison...who does your proofreading?
It's interesting that such a large part of an article like this is devoted to possible discrimination. As an employer, I would want the best candidate for the position, period.
It almost makes you wonder if there is pressure to hire less qualified folks to avoid the charge of discrimination.
Affirmative action is state-sanctioned discrimination. Merit is all that should count.
I believe if your honest, upfront, have nothing to hide, and are qualified for the position you are seeking, I see no problems with this procedure. I would go for it, and your nerves should be fine.
Haha lately I've noticed a number of companies have outsourced their HR departments. I've been getting calls from India about jobs. All around though, companies are forgetting that such interactions are a two way street. I am not unemployed so I have a good negotiating platform. When a company has a third party call from India do they really believe that leaves a good impression? Do they think when I can't even understand the person calling me on the phone that makes me want to consider them as an employer? It doesn't, because I know at that point if they are cutting corners on HR (such as what video-conferencing is doing) then they are cutting corners in 1000 other places. One can thereby conclude through those actions that this is not a company you want to work for and move on to a company who actually understands what the word professional entails.
Dan, I agree with your thought process completely, however I would first research the company first to see how reputable, and stable it is before even making an attempt to apply for a position. I have my scruples as to whom I would work for these days. Job satisfaction, respect, benefits, etc trumps salary in my book.
As age discrimination continues to grow in todays job market, this is a very simple way of culling out the older candidates without leaving any proof of that discrimination. Can also be uesd to sort by racial/ethnic background. Another clever ploy by those useless people in HR departments.
I agree,as they will find a legal excuse to not hire an older person,illegalities for the most part can't ber proven.
I agree with bill1942-3876944. Age discrimination is difficult to prove and this is simply another vehicle to weed out candidates that do not fit the age group they are seeking.
I would just refuse the video conference and I'm about to start refusing phone interviews as well.
You have absolutely no idea what kind of kook you may be "inviting" into your home these days via phone or video conference interviews. Identity thieves, computer hackers, burglers, etc.
Sorry, NO WAY IN HELL! Any company that insists on video conferencing or phone interviews isn't worth working for in my book.
P.S. Hope your PJ's make a great first impression on your interviewer:).
After reviewing resumes, if a potential employer is so cheap they want a video interview rather than a face-to-face interview, I probably don't want to work for that employer. Job interviewing is a two-way process!
As far as I'm concerned nothing replaces a face-to-face interview.
Discrimination against the fat and ugly is perfectly legal. Laws are no in place to protect those people. Age, sex, etc, yes, but not fat. Then again everyone knows discrimination is rampant regarding age and race regardless of the law. Just tell them you hired someone else. Why should I have to waste my time seeing you in person when I can eliminate you as soon as I see you on screen. I hire who I think will be he best for my company and if you can't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anything.
Wow...in an age where jobs are hard to come by, I wouldn't mind ANY interview - by phone, video, in person, etc. However you would like to do it is what I am all about. You are the employer, and frankly, its YOUR call.
I'm in the staffing business and what people are forgetting, not surprisingly, are the intangible benefits to this process. Listing them may be a waste of time because judging by the comments above, it seems like prejudice reigns. Nothing I say will convince them.
All I have to say is that when I attend job fairs to look for clients, I am almost the only one there dressed in a suit and tie and I'm not even looking for a job. And there are barely anyone there wearing even a collared shirt. Wife beater t-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, paint-stained jeans, women with their belly buttons showing, tank tops, flip-flops.... it is clear by the attire alone that 90% of the job seekers are not only not interested in finding work, they lack the proper attitude because of their choice in attire to deserve employment.
If you demand face-to-face interviews yet fail so egregiously at putting your best foot forward, you have no leg to stand on complaining about video conference interviews.
Get ready for the future, the future is now. Looks like I will be doing video interviews soon!!!!!!!
This is not news as video conference interviews have been around for 20 years. I had one in 1997. It's more economical now and the technology is way better. It saves a huge amount of money and saves time. Hey, if all you have to do is put on your interview clothes from the waist up, fine by me.
Yet, the it still occurs on a regular basis. Especially age related bias since the laws were gutted by the SCOTUS a few years ago.