Introduction

With the advancement of technology, the most notable development in recent years is the emergence of on-demand video interviews as a key tool involved in the hiring process. The traditional recruitment process involves multiple stages, from resume screening to in-person interviews. With the help of technology, interviews on demand have come into the picture, which helps reduce time and is cost-efficient for both companies and candidates. This article will explain the on-demand video interview, its benefits, and potential points to consider. As we delve into the topic, we will get the potential of how on-demand video interviews can revolutionize and streamline the hiring process.

What is an on-demand interview?

Interviews that are done asynchronously are known as on-demand interviews. In this process, the recruitment teams use a virtual hiring platform to create the questions required for the interview and then invite the candidate to complete them as and when they find comfortable and convenient. Candidates can access these virtual hiring platforms on their laptops and mobile devices. It usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire. Once the form is filled, the interview on demand is reviewed by the recruiter.

On-demand digital interviews allow recruiters to engage with a large volume of candidates simultaneously and go to the next hiring step faster. With the help of an on-demand interview platform and on-demand interview software, recruiters invite thousands of candidates to participate with a single email. With the help of social media platforms, recruiters encourage candidates to register and complete the interview on-demand questionnaire or form. Interviews on demand help recruiters maintain a balanced process with both personalization and efficiency, giving candidates a good user experience.

What is an on-demand video interview?

Image Source: Freepik

Seven tips to ace an on-demand interview

For some people, on-demand interviews can be anxiety-inducing, while others take this as an opportunity to connect with employers from their comfort zone. Below are some extra tips that can be followed to ace the on-demand interview and make the best impression.

  • Ensure you value the importance of maintaining formality during the interview
    Be serious about the interview, and prepare similarly as you would for a face-to-face interview. This is the first impression that you will have in front of the employer, so dress up formally in clean and professional business attire. Research the company history, values, and cultures and review the job description requirements. Try to have some prior questions related to the role or company, which can be asked at the end of the interview.
  • Select the optimal location
    Choose where you want to be interviewed in advance. Try to choose a place that is quiet, private, and has a good and reliable internet connection.  Check the lighting of the place, and if needed, place a lamp either behind or beside your device. Check the webcam’s view and remove the distracting items from the background. To optimize your presence on the screen, adjust the camera angle slightly above your eye level. Lastly, remember that an uncluttered and simple background is the best option.
  • Verify the functionality of the technology
    Make sure that the microphone and the camera of the device that will be used are working fine. If you are aware of the app you will be using to give the on-demand interview, it’s better to have a demo with your friend and figure out if anything needs to be adjusted or changed. Take feedback and suggestions from your friend on the lighting, camera, eye contact, posture, etc, and follow that at the time of the actual interview.
  • Minimize distractions
    Try to choose a place where you are separate from others present in the household and choose a room that has a door and can be closed. Close the door before your interview starts and ask everyone in advance not to make much noise and minimize internet usage( especially wifi connectivity can create a problem). Try to keep your children and pets away while you are interviewing to avoid distractions.
  • Prepare your space ahead of your interview
    Charge your device and try to keep your phone in silent mode. Also, try to close all the open browsers and applications on your computer. Have a notebook and a pen for notes and a copy of your resume as well. Be sure to log into the meeting 5 minutes before to be on the safer side. Avoid using your mobile once you are logged in. Be confident, and try to look straight into the camera even if the other person is not having the video switched on.
  • Pay attention to your body language during the interview
    Try to make direct eye contact with the person present on the screen; instead of looking at the person, try to look at your webcam. To make this appear natural, fix the image of the person on your screen and try to keep him as close to the webcam as possible. Be confident, speak naturally with your accent, and don’t try to copy the accent of the other person. Keep your eyes open and be attentive while listening. Be aware of your posture, keep your back straight, and don’t lean and act clumsy or disinterested. The interviewer should feel that you are interested in the role and curious as well.
  • Demonstrate your enthusiasm
    Being enthusiastic when not in person can be difficult, and to overcome this, try to ask the interviewer questions at the end and tell him how interested you are in this role. Try to reiterate what skills and knowledge make you the best fit for the role and ask about the next steps involved in the interview process. Try to close your interview on a good note by thanking the interviewer for their time, passing a smile, and then leaving the invite room. Remember, your first impression is the last one, so try to be as optimistic as you can and give your best.

Why are recruiters actively adopting on-demand video interviewing methods?

Some of the reasons why recruiters are adopting on-demand video interviewing methods are listed below:

Video interviews are much more defined

Recruiters mainly prefer to use on-demand video interviews to connect with candidates. Applicants are encouraged to participate in a live, in-person video interview. To have an on-demand video interview connection, recruiters email video call requests to all potential candidates so that they are prepared beforehand and can use their preferred devices to communicate in real-time.

Ability to connect from a distance

With the help of various on-demand interview tools, managers can ask questions from a distance. They need not physically go to a workplace to conduct the interview. By assessing candidates’ skill sets, body postures, etc., recruiters can eradicate the possibility of implicit prejudices that might arise during the hiring process. 

The essence lies in timing

With on-demand video interviews, employers can easily and efficiently set up consecutive encounters. This process benefits both the recruiter and the applicant in terms of time savings. InterviewVector provides candidates with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience in a much more refined and efficient way.

Analyzing post-interview is straightforward

Sometimes, important details are lost during in-person talks. Recruiters don’t get enough time and information to evaluate candidates properly. With the help of on-demand interviews, such as on-demand video and digital interviews, the recruitment team and the applicant, both parties involved, are focused on the actual goals. If filmed, the conversation can be viewed again and saved for future reference. As a result of on-demand video interviews, managers make informed choices in the hiring process.

Sustaining a consistent network of professional connects

On-demand video interviews require both parties to conduct themselves professionally, pay attention to questions, and respond accordingly. A wide range of on-demand interview tools, including AI( Artificial Intelligence) employment technology, physical interviews, web interviews, etc., can streamline the process of online hiring.

Benefits of on-demand interviews

Listed below are some of the benefits of on-demand interviews both for companies and candidates.

For companies:

  1. Time-saving and cost-effective: On-demand digital interviews are time-saving and cost-effective ways of conducting interviews. Unlike traditional interviews that require scheduling and organizing the interview process, on-demand video interviews are pre-recorded, and candidates can take them at any time convenient. This helps to save a significant amount of time and money by avoiding the pain of scheduling conflicts and removing the need for in-person interviews.
  2. Accurate assessment of candidate skills: Interviews on demand, such as on-demand video and digital interviews, help provide a more accurate assessment of candidate skills than traditional methods. Coding tests used as part of the traditional interview process can sometimes become too rigid and may not showcase the candidate’s problem-solving capability. On-demand tech interviews offer a more comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s abilities.
  3. Reduce bias in the hiring process: In-person interviews sometimes get influenced by unconscious bias such as race, gender, and personal appearance of the candidate. Interviews on-demand offer a more objective assessment of the candidate’s abilities, as they are assessed solely based on their knowledge and skill sets. This helps to reduce bias and engage a more diverse workflow.
  4. Candidate experience: On-demand video and tech interviews help to improve candidate experience. Candidates can take the test at their convenience and showcase their skills in real-world scenarios. Employers can provide feedback on time, which helps the candidates get to know their weak and strong areas. This helps create a positive candidate experience, which leads to a better employer brand reputation and can help acquire more candidates to apply for job vacancies.

For candidates:

  1. Convenient: Switching from in-person meetings to virtual ones has become incredibly convenient. It provides ease of signing into the internet and chatting over a webcam. The costs required for in-person interviews were eliminated, and there were no more gas, parking, flight, or hotel fees. Using various on-demand interview platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams means there is no need for the recruiter and the applicant to fuss with new downloads and passwords. The only requirement is a comfortable environment and, most importantly, a good internet connection. 
  2. Flexible: Companies following remote or hybrid workforces can engage an expanded candidate pool that is not restricted to a specific area or location. It is important to get adapted to video interviews to support these workforce dynamics. Candidates get the flexibility to take the test, as per their preference, removing the time-off requests and commutes that are present in the traditional interview process. Recruiters get a chance to expand their candidate pool and choose the best.
  3. Efficient: Video interviews are more effective than traditional in-person interviews. They not only help to save time but are also cost-effective. When interviews are done in a streamlined manner, they help to improve the overall performance of the company with much more optimization and efficiency. It helps to communicate easily with all employees on the decision-making terms. Hirings can be accelerated with the ability to access feedback from the recordings of video interviews. 
  4. Insightful: Recording of interview questions ensures safety and compliance. It helps to provide a consistent experience for each applicant. The recordings help to derive meaningful and insightful information from peers and managers. This will help improve the interview delivery in the future. Important interview moments and candidate sentiments can be highlighted with the help of recorded interview sessions. With this information, it becomes easy for the recruiter to decide the right candidate for the job and make better decisions. 

How can you get the most out of an on-demand interview service?

Below are a few points that can be considered to get the most out of an on-demand interview service:

  1. Prepare for the interview in advance: Preparing for a video interview is important. To avoid delays, make sure you test the video software a day or two before the interview process. Seek help from admins or team supporters to assist you in setting up the interview, and once you are ready to go, complete the online process without any distractions. Ensure you have a good internet connection to ensure the interview runs smoothly.
  2. Organize the interview with the candidate in mind: Before starting the interview, structure the format with the candidate in mind. Video interviews can be of two types: live and pre-recorded. In live interviews, you will speak to the candidate in real-time with the help of on-demand video software. In contrast, in pre-recorded interviews, there is less personal interaction involved. To have a smooth interview, decide which interview process you want to follow and set up the interview process accordingly.
  3. Follow the same approach as you would for an in-person interview: Try to keep the interview as real as possible. Try to engage the candidate first by asking questions like “Tell me about yourself. First, make the candidate comfortable, and then try to analyze the candidate’s skills and knowledge. 
  4. Make sure you have compatible and supportive on-demand interview software and platform: Avoid any technical issues and choose the best software available to complete the online interviews. Most on-demand digital interview platforms allow candidates to practice their interview techniques and effectively prepare for the final interview. By choosing the correct platform, you can prevent a bad candidate experience.

Top 15 on-demand interview platforms/ software

Some of the best on-demand interview platforms/ software are listed below:

InterviewVector

InterviewVector provides various services where companies can schedule technical interviews on demand and receive feedback in a short timeframe. It allows recruiters to record the interviews and offers a huge variety of questions that can cater to various technical roles. It is one of the top on-demand interview platforms, which helps to streamline the interview process. Here are some more points that make them the best:

  • InterviewVector has a massive pool of pre-screened experts, some even from top tech companies like Google and Apple.
  • Their AI platform, Pulse, has the ability to make interviews smoother and faster. Question banks keep things consistent, code sharing for tech roles, and even real-time insights help interviewers dig deeper. The platform can also handle a huge amount of interviews in a single day, so you won’t be left waiting on results.
  • The team uses standardized guides and trains their interviewers to keep things fair, ensuring great candidate experience.

Willo

This software is known for its scalability. It is the world’s only integration platform that offers digital learning. This is the only technical software that gives schools the efficiency to control and manage their candidates’ learning access, privacy, and experience. 

Spark Hire

Spark Hires provides one-way interviews to its clients that involve candidates videotaping and submitting responses. Candidates need to answer a series of questions that the recruiter has pre-selected. This interview method is mostly used in the early stages of the hiring process. This software can be best used for SMBs and staffing.

myInterview

myInterview allows hiring managers to choose the best candidate while enjoying every minute. It encourages candidates to express their qualifications, skills, knowledge, and personality. Sharing your impressions helps to get both positive and negative feedback from colleagues. This software helps to have unlimited pre-recorded video interviews across all plans. 

Jobma

By allowing you to screen and access a large pool of candidates, Jomba helps streamline the hiring process. It also helps you collaborate with your team and review the video response. This platform can be best used for multi-format video interviews and coding assessments.

Hireflix

This one-way tool allows recruiters to record their questions and review the candidate’s response anytime. This eliminates the need to schedule multiple live screening interviews and thus saves a lot of time. 

VidCruiter

Candidates can read interview questions and record their answers on this interview platform. Once the interview questions are completed, people from the hiring team will review the response later. This platform is best for customer support and security.

Clovers

To speed up recruitment, clovers put structure into place and remove bias. It helps to provide data for better decision-making. This video interview software also provides a native AI meeting assistant. 

BarRaiser

Using conversational analytics, the BarRaiser AI tool brings an excellent report that helps identify the gaps during the interview process and work on them. This platform also offers free plans.

Avature

With Avature, recruiters can create time slots from which candidates can select a timeframe according to their convenience from a mobile-optimized portal. It helps optimize everyone’s time by accommodating as many candidates as possible and simultaneously allowing multiple screenings with different interviewers. This is the best interview software for AI talent matching.

HireVue

This software evaluates the answers to questions based on the specific skills and knowledge required for that job. It is best suited for AI-powered on-demand interviews for enterprises.

Interview stream

It helps create an experience that enhances the hiring process. This platform allows recruiters to ask the right questions every time and screen candidates faster. It also makes the scheduling process easier for recruiters and allows them to reach candidates from every corner. 

Recright

This software allows one to customize the video interview. Based on your convenience, you can choose either a pre-recorded or live interview. Recruiters can instruct candidates and take ownership of the entire process. 

Harver

With this platform, you can record custom questions for each open position. Candidates can also record their responses. This platform allows a standout video interview and assessment tool facility.

Talview

It helps automate the process of tracking, scheduling, etc., for both live and asynchronous video or audio interviews. Talview ensures a consistent and persistent interview process by setting standard questions for the candidates.

To conclude, on-demand interview platforms and software help to conduct and manage conversations in a short amount of time and speed up the hiring process. Recruiters can evaluate candidates’ technical and verbal abilities without additional cost. The software and platforms give you access to many adjustable features that help to streamline the interview process and get top talent.