Live (synchronous) video interviewing is not the same as recorded (asynchronous) video interviewing. Apart from the obvious differences between live and recorded video, there are limitations to live video interviewing, which don’t exist with recorded video interviewing.
1. Recorded interviews are more efficient
One of the biggest benefits of recorded video interviewing is the savings it delivers to recruiters. Recorded video interviewing removes the need for candidates and recruiters to travel.
For many businesses, reducing travel expenses is a high priority on the list of cost-cutting initiatives. Recorded video interviews allow you to interview multiple candidates at the same time, which helps to dramatically reduce the time-to-hire.
2. Live-recorded videos suffer with technical difficulties
Australia’s current broadband network struggles with live video. Anyone who has used videoconferencing through a broadband network will confirm this fact. Even with advanced compression algorithms and a new national broadband network on its way, live video recording is a long way from delivering what recorded video interviewing can do today. Recorded video interviewing works on our current broadband network because video buffering is enabled, due to the fact that it isn’t seen in real time. This ensures that the quality of the video recorded is consistent for everyone who uses the service.
3. Recorded video interviewing is more flexible
One of the most significant differences between live and recorded video interviewing is the fact that neither party has to schedule a time for the interview. From the candidate’s perspective, this allows them to conduct their interview at a time that is more suited to their existing employment, education and family commitments. For recruiters this means that they can view respondents' videos at a time that suits their busy schedule, allowing them to use their time more efficiently.
4. Recorded video interviewing is scalable
Live interviews are conducted one at a time. If you are conducting 20 interviews for the same position, you are forced to ask the same questions 20 times over and spend 20 times as much time doing the interviews. With recorded video interviewing you can ask the same questions of all candidates at exactly the same time.
5. Recorded video interviews give everyone the same chance
Anyone who has ever worked with live video recording or broadcasting will tell you how unpredictable it can be. When you’re conducting first-round interviews, you want everyone to have the same chance. When you’re using live video there’s that chance that technical difficulties will interrupt the interview. Also, live video interviews don’t provide the same control as recorded and timed video interviews do. In live interviews there is greater chance for candidates to stray off track. This can mean that recruiters are not necessarily comparing apples with apples.
6. Recorded video interview is more collaborative
Once you have a recorded interview, you can then share it with other relevant decision-makers in the recruitment process, allowing them to review and rank candidate responses, this no longer requires everyone to be in the same room at the same time (or even the same country). This inclusive process helps demystify the role of HR departments in organisations.
And the winner is…
Without a doubt, recorded video interviewing has it all over live video interviewing when it comes to convenience, saving time, saving money and reducing time-to-hire.