Our tips to explain the pre-recorded video interview to your candidates
Be crystal-clear: why do you use pre-recorded video interviews?
Transparency is a key factor in the recruitment world. Our study conducted with YouGov proves it: a relationship of trust between recruiters and candidates is the key to a successful candidate journey.
And trust only comes with transparency! You need to explain what a pre-recorded video interview is in practice, but you also need to be clear about why you are using this specific type of interview.
Talk about the benefits of choosing a pre-recorded video interview, for both you and your candidate. For example:
- We chose to set up this stage to reduce the time our candidates have to wait for feedback on their application.
- The advantage of this interview is that it enables us to identify our candidates' personalities more easily, without requiring them to travel to meet us at the first stage of the application process.
- The flexibility offered by the pre-recorded video interview has already convinced more than 500 candidates, who appreciate the fact that they can conduct their interview whenever and wherever they want: “It's easier for me to schedule a pre-recorded video interview as I'm already employed. I can control the timing, so it's much more practical”.
Don't hesitate to share the opinions of your candidates who have already completed a pre-recorded video interview with you; a few key figures, a few verbatims and testimonials can also help to explain the benefits of this interview format in an even more personal way.
Proximity is key: speak directly to your candidate
Whether you introduce the pre-recorded video interview orally during an introductory call, by personal email or by an email sent directly from your pre-recorded video interview platform, be friendly! Avoid giving the impression that your message is generic or cold, and get close to your candidate in this pedagogical approach.
Don't assume that everyone is familiar with the tool, and address your candidates with empathy. If you use an e-mail approach to the pre-recorded video interview, personalize your message by calling candidates by their first name, suggesting that they contact you if they have any questions, and reassuring them.
Some pre-recorded video interview platforms allow you to configure this type of personalized email, saving you time while preserving that precious link for candidates.
👉 A customized pre-recorded video interview tool: request a demo
Put people at the heart of pre-recorded video interviews
The element that can worry your candidates the most is the fact that they are interviewing without any direct exchange. Be immediately reassuring in your explanation of the pre-recorded video interview: even if they don't talk directly to a recruiter while they're recording, their video will be watched by a human!
Some candidates imagine that an artificial intelligence will determine whether or not they go on to the next stage. Prevent this misconception by making it clear who will view their video (you, other recruiters in your company, the hiring manager and perhaps future team members) and who will determine whether or not the application should go ahead.
Be educational: the pre-recorded video interview and how it worksÂ
If you can explain the benefits of the pre-recorded video interview, you're halfway there! Now all you have to do is explain how it will work in practice.
There's nothing worse for a candidate than having no idea what to expect. In fact, 31% of jobseekers say that a lack of transparency about the different stages of the recruitment process is a major barrier to applying for a job*.
Even if the pre-recorded video interview takes place after your interviewer has submitted his or her application, a lack of transparency about the stages of the process could lead 32% of candidates to abandon the process*.
*Data from our YouGov study on the relationship between recruiters and candidates.
You must leave no doubt in your candidate's mind so that they feel totally comfortable with the recruitment process and the pre-recorded video interview. Make it clear:
- When is the pre-recorded video interview involved in the whole process, and what is its purpose?
- What are your processing times after the pre-recorded video interview?
- Who will be involved in deciding whether or not to go further with the candidate?
- What steps will follow (job interview, test, etc.)?
On the specific sequence of the pre-recorded video interview, please also specify :
- A date by which the candidate must have completed the interview
- Information on the number of questions asked
- An estimate of the time the candidate will have to dedicate to the recording
- Information on the type of questions and their objectives (even if you don't go into detail), and therefore the decision criteria you've set yourself.
- As an option, you can also choose to give more specific advice on how your candidate can prepare or answer the questions, and what will be appreciated or not upon viewing.
In short: be as transparent as possible and provide the details your candidate needs to prepare him or herself for this stage. You can also set an example and show that you're ready to play the game by recording your questions on video, or by offering a presentation of the pre-recorded video interview... on video!
Listen carefully: you can always improve your pre-recorded video interview approach
Whether you're new to pre-recorded video interviews or have been using them for several years... Remember, there's always room for improvement!
That's why we advise you to ask your candidates for their opinion about the tool (and, more generally, about their entire candidate experience), so that you can improve: either in the number of questions, or in the type of questions you ask, or in the time allowed to record the interview, and so on.
You can set this up at the end of the pre-recorded video interview with a short automatic questionnaire. You can also choose to send an e-mail after the candidate has completed the interview, asking for feedback. Every way you can get feedback is a good way to improve.
👉 A customized pre-recorded video interview tool: request a demo
