Improve Video Interviews in 5 Steps
The article "Improve Video Interviews in 5 Steps" by Allie Blackham highlights the importance of video interviews in remote hiring by emphasizing their flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency, and offers a guide to streamline the interview process to better assess candidates beyond their resumes.
Improve Video Interviews in 5 Steps
Sep 24, 2025
Interviewing, Recruiting Best Practices
When you’re bringing on new team members, the process can take a lot of time and effort for all involved. But finding the right fit is essential in maintaining the culture and ensuring smooth operations. Your efforts might include creating and posting job descriptions, reviewing applications, and scheduling and conducting interviews.
The final aspect of the process (prior to extending an offer) involves interacting with the top applicants and learning more about them in ways that aren’t as easy to demonstrate on a resume. However, if you’re conducting interviews for remote positions or with a remote hiring team, a video-based effort is going to be the best option. Explore our guide to improving video interviews to streamline this aspect of your hiring process.
The Benefits of Video Interviews
Video interviews come with a lot of advantages over in-person meetings for both employers and potential new hires. These include:
- Flexibility: It’s easier to schedule an interview at a time that works for everyone when the only required effort is logging onto a video conferencing platform.
- Cost-effectiveness: If you have candidates applying from different locations, a video interview eliminates the need for travel costs
- Efficiency: Your team can conduct multiple interviews, often back to back, when meeting on video rather than in person.
- Better candidate experience: Meeting with a panel of individuals can feel overwhelming for candidates. A video interview often provides a more relaxed environment.
- Consistency: Your company can ensure a more consistent experience for every candidate who is selected for an interview. It’s also easier to comply with hiring laws if you pre-record the questions and avoid anything that could cause problems.
Challenges Associated with Video Interviews
Although video interviews do come with the benefits outlined above (and then some), they can also bring challenges. A video interview might feel less personal than an in-person interaction, which could make it more challenging to assess the candidate’s cultural fit or build a relationship. Subtle expressions and body language are also harder to detect on video.
Candidates could also face distractions in different environments. Background noise, pets, or people could make it difficult for them to focus. Some people also feel uncomfortable on camera, and members of older generations might not be able to navigate the platform as easily.
Technical difficulties are ever-present when using any type of technology. If the video platform doesn’t load properly or the candidate’s internet connection is slow, you may not be able to complete the process.
5 Steps to Improve Video Interviewing
Here are five steps to help improve the video interview process and enhance the way your company handles this process.
1. Choose the Right Technology
Use a professional video conferencing tool (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams) that offers features like recording, scheduling, and screen sharing. Test the platform in advance to ensure that both interviewers and candidates have access to the platform and avoid technical glitches. It’s also helpful to share step-by-step guides or tutorials with candidates on how to use the platform, including troubleshooting tips.
2. Create a Professional and Consistent Experience
Standardize the process with structured interview questions to ensure consistency and fairness across all candidates. Encourage interviewers to use professional, well-lit, and distraction-free environments. Share similar tips with candidates to help them prepare. Even in a virtual setting, maintaining a professional appearance sets the tone for the interview.
3. Train Interviewers
Teach interviewers how to assess candidates effectively in a virtual setting, including reading non-verbal cues and managing technical issues. Encourage interviewers to make eye contact with the camera, smile, and actively listen to create a more personal connection. Make sure to include training on how to minimize biases related to video quality, backgrounds, or candidate comfort with technology.
4. Focus On the Candidate Experience
Provide candidates with all necessary details, including the interview format, platform link, and any preparation materials. Be accommodating with scheduling, especially for candidates in different time zones or with limited access to technology. Maintain a positive impression of your company by keeping candidates informed about next steps and timelines.
5. Leverage Technology for Insights
Use recordings to allow multiple stakeholders to review interviews, ensuring a collaborative and fair decision-making process. Some platforms offer AI-driven insights, like sentiment analysis or keyword tracking, to help assess candidate responses objectively. After the interview, ask candidates and interviewers for feedback on the process to identify areas for improvement.
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