Video Interviewing for Everyone

Video interviewing is a great way to evaluate a job candidate remotely and lower the cost of recruiting. Many video conference systems are expensive to rent and can cost upwards of $150/hour. Fortunately desktop video conferencing can be used to video interview job candidates, and it can be done for free on Skype or Google Talk, or as low as $99/year, or $8.25/month for a supported commercial service. This free to low cost entry point makes video interviewing suitable for all recruiters.

Skype and Google Talk are great because...well, they are "free". You can see and talk to the candidate from any location on the Internet. With "free" you have to do some things yourself. You and all your candidates will have to download the software onto each computer. There is no support number to call if your client's webcam isn't working. You can't send scheduled interview email appointments, or have a historical tracking record of your interviews. And you can't share documents within the free systems. If you can live without these features try out Skype and Google today and start seeing your candidates.

If you want a professionally supported service you may check out the desktop video interviewing service from companies such as HireVue, Vonei, and GreenJobInterview. Like Skype and Google they work right from your computer, whether it is PC or Mac. However you get the added benefit of scheduling interviews in advance, you have support numbers to call, and some services allow documents such as resumes, application forms, and examples of work to be shared securely and directly right in the video interviewing service. Other than a computer on broadband Internet, a webcam is needed to show video.

By seeing the candidate you can pre-screen for communication skills, helping you find the right candidate faster. Along with the low entry price point, desktop video interviewing lowers the risk in your investment. There are no hardware costs other than ensuring webcams are available. Many commercial services require no software downloads for you or your candidate, and no set-up fees.

No matter what you choose, try out video interviewing and save time and money in the recruiting process.