Internet Video Interviews: The Recruiting Tools Your Business Is Missing
As a business owner, you should use tools that help you identify the best employees for your company at the lowest possible cost. Video interviews can help you get to know potential employees in a virtual setting, eliminating the need to meet with candidates in your office. Save money and improve your recruiting results by learning how to conduct effective video interviews.
Preparing for Interviews
How long it takes you to fill a job opening has a direct effect on your bottom line. The longer you go without hiring someone, the more work your other employees have to do. If the open position is critical to your business, you might even miss project deadlines. This can cost money and damage your relationships with customers. One of the first things you should do when scheduling interviews is set a time limit for each interview. This will save time and increase productivity. Several easy-to-use products can help you complete this process.
What You'll Need
The next step is to choose the recruiting tools you will use. You can conduct a video interview with a simple webcam and an inexpensive microphone. When shopping for these tools, make sure each piece of equipment is compatible with your computer and operating system. Older webcam models sometimes produced grainy images, but newer models produce high-quality images that make it easy for you to pay attention to a candidate's body language and facial expressions in video interviews.
Conducting a video interview is especially helpful if you plan to interview candidates from other states or countries. Instead of paying for their travel expenses, you can interview them via webcam. Some companies also offer a service that lets you create virtual interview rooms. You can invite candidates to these rooms to make the interview process easier to organize.
Costs and Pitfalls of Video Interviewing
Before purchasing a webcam or microphone, be aware of some of the pitfalls associated with these types of equipment. One possible problem is that the webcam might not produce an image. This could be due to something as simple as a loose connection between your computer and the webcam's USB cable. Some webcams activate automatically, but you might have to adjust yours manually. You might also have to update the device drivers for your webcam if you experience problems. If you do not want to purchase a separate webcam and microphone, consider purchasing a laptop with an integrated webcam. A laptop can be one of the most valuable recruiting tools in your arsenal, because you can use the integrated webcam to conduct video interviews and use the laptop's other features to take notes.
The cost of using video interviews for your business depends on whether you purchase an inexpensive webcam or decide to upgrade your computer equipment by purchasing a laptop. A laptop can cost as little as $300 for a basic model to several thousand dollars for an advanced model with a large screen, fast processor, and significant amount of memory. If you decide to buy a webcam, expect to spend as little as $10 for a basic model and as much as $250 for an advanced model that produces high-definition images. Some microphones cost less than $10, while professional models cost up to $150.
Getting the Most for Your Money
If you want to cut recruiting costs and save time, invest in tools that will help you do so. Be sure to pick products that will work with your particular laptop or desktop computer model. Use these recruiting tools to identify great job candidates who can help you take your business to the next level.