Break down barriers for a video interview | Synergy Recruitment

Can you remember a time when face-to-face interviews were the norm? It feels like a distant memory doesn’t it?!

We’ve all had to adapt to a new way of working, with face-to-face interviews being replaced by online interviews.

But how can you be sure you’ve found the right fit? There are so many things to consider in a normal recruitment process, let alone adding a new way of working into the mix!

Did you ask the right questions? Are they committed enough? Have you found the right person?

Recognising the barriers

Can you really get to know someone over a computer?

I don’t know about you, but I take a lot from a person by their body language, and on a video call, you can’t read a person’s movements or mannerisms the same. Are they just uncomfortable, or do they not know how to answer the question? It’s not easy to tell!

Not only that, but not everyone is a Hollywood film star! Some people hate being on camera, and that alone can change how they are acting. They’re nervous and it’s uncomfortable.

Technology itself can also cause problems for video interviews. I’m sure that a few of you have experienced the issues of “You’re on mute”, “I can hear you, but I can’t see you” and so on!

Poor internet connections, understanding different video chat platforms and time lags can ruin an interview flow.

Lifting the barriers

So, what does all of this actually mean?

Well, it’s simple really. In person, you can bounce off each other. There are few awkward interruptions or pauses. So, if this flow isn’t there on a video call, the employer and candidate won’t connect with each other as they usually would. An otherwise perfect fit for a job and a company could be overlooked simply due to technology!

So, what’s the answer? How can you fix it? It is what it is for now, right?

Nope.

Our Synergy Recruitment Model helps to iron out these teething problems before the interview even takes place.

Ironing out technical issues

How do we do it?

As part of our recruitment process, we conduct a video interview with all candidates. We’ve been doing this since long before the pandemic, so we’re adept in the art! This means we filter out the wrong candidates before they land in front of you.

If they’re offered an interview with you, we’ll talk them through how we think the interview could go and do a dry run of a typical interview. We make sure that they are using the right platform, that their connection is good and that communication is clear.

We’re not giving them the answers. We’re just helping them to build their confidence in front of a camera.

It means that you’ll get the best out of them and ultimately, you’ll find the right person.

Video interviewing techniques

I think it’s fair to say that interviews are very weird situations – two people are trying to find out as much as they can about each other in an incredibly short space of time.

Some people’s personalities naturally match this type of situation, and others don’t.

Does this put them at an unfair advantage?

Should we judge people based on who gave the best interview or who is actually the best person to do the job?

We believe the right person is way more important. To level the playing field, we provide checklists and interview prep documents for both employers and candidates to follow.

They’ll give you hints and tips on how to get the most out of the interview.

Giving peace of mind

At Synergy, we are your safety blanket.

You can rest assured that all the background research has been done and every person being interviewed is a good fit for both the job role and the company. All you need to do, is pick your favourite!

To find out more, contact Marie at info@synergyrecruit.co.uk.

SYNERGY’S VIDEO INTERVIEW TOP TIP: Keep questions explicit – when you don’t have the usual cues, questions will need to be much clearer than usual to get the most out of an interview.