Video Interviews 2023/24 Candidate Guide | HireVue | SHL | Practice Questions

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Summary

What are video interviews, and how can we pass them? If these are questions you’re wondering, then look no further!

In this text, we will cover how video interviews work and video interview tips on how you can practice to ace your next video interview.

Take your interview skills to the next level and ace your next video interview by practising with our Video Interview Tool. Practice your responses and get valuable feedback to ensure you’re fully prepared for the real thing!

Not sure if you should practice to prepare for your next video interview?

Read on as we cover…

Contents

1. What is a Video Interview?
2. Which Employers Use Video Interviews?
   • Why Do Employers Use Video Interviews?
3. Who Are the Top Video Interview Providers?
4. Types of Video Interviews
5. How to Prepare for a Video Interview
6. Video Interview Questions and Answers
7. Video Interview FAQs

Without further ado, let’s get started!

What is a Video Interview?

A video interview is a form of job interview that is conducted virtually with the aid of video conferencing technology. Instead of meeting face-to-face, the interviewer and interviewee will connect over the internet. 

As remote work continues its steady rise, more organisations are resorting to video interviews to screen candidates. 

This may not be as straightforward as it first appears. Video interviews can take different formats. Don’t worry, as we’ll cover these later!

First, check out this short video that provides key insight on the concept of video interviews:

Many employers do use video interviews to screen their candidates. Here are some examples of companies that have adopted this new recruitment culture.

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Which Employers Use Video Interviews?

Several large companies across the globe have adopted the idea of using video interviews for recruitment. Here are some of the most notable employers:

Vodafone	M&S	Civil Service
Deloitte	McKinsey & Company	KPMG
Accenture	EY	BT
Nestle	Shell	P&G

For comprehensive guides to 100+ of the world’s largest companies, head to: step-by-step employer guides for details that will help you prepare and ace your next video interview.

Keep reading to discover the key reasons these employers are making the switch to video interviews.

Why Do Employers Use Video Interviews?

Here are the top reasons why many employers are now using video interviews to hire you:

1. Cost and time efficiency: Video interviews save time and money for both the employer and the candidates. Candidates save money on travelling for in-person interviews.

2. Remote hiring: Video interviews make it easier to hire applicants from different locations or even foreign countries. This is especially helpful for companies seeking talent abroad or when the role involves remote work.

3. Larger candidate pool: Companies can examine candidates who might not have been able to attend an in-person interview by using video interviews. This expands the talent pool and increases the chances of finding the ideal candidate.

4. Faster recruitment process: Companies can conduct initial screenings more efficiently by using video interviews. As a result, hiring choices can be made more quickly, and top candidates can be hired much faster.

5. Flexible scheduling: Video interviews offer more flexibility in scheduling, accommodating employers and candidates with different time zones or busy schedules.

6. Efficient candidate assessment: Interviewers can quickly assess and distribute applicant responses to other team members when using video interviews. As a result, applicants can be compared and evaluated effectively.

With the numerous advantages of video interviews, it is no wonder why a growing number of employers are using video interview software providers. But who are these providers?

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Who Are the Top Video Interview Providers?

Here are some big video interview providers in the industry that many top employers around the world often use:

1. HireVue: HireVue video interview tool offers real-time evaluation tools, interview guides, automated candidate routing, and shareable recordings.

2. Pymetrics: For video interviewing, Pymetrics offers multiple scheduling, monitoring, and pre-recording for interviewers. For candidates, the platform offers re-recording for responses and the self-practice feature for upcoming interviews. 

3. SHL: SHL supports on-demand and live interviews. The platform also offers AI technology for analytics and a virtual portal for technical interviews that can assess developers in over 50 programming languages.

4. AON: AON prioritises analytics in its on-demand video interviewing service. The platform focuses on speech to text and uses natural language-processing artificial intelligence to scan words, code responses, and assign scores on specific competency areas.

5. Cappfinity: Cappfinity’s Snapshot tool allows candidates to record responses and submit multiple choice and written responses without a third-party app. The feature also supports scoring for recruits and detailed feedback reports.

6. Spark Hire: Spark Hire offers both live and on-demand video interviews. Along with analytics for one-way interviews, the video interviewing software offers real-time collaboration for recruiting managers to assess candidates and share ideas.

Now that we know more about the top video interview providers, let’s dive into the different types of video interviews they provide that you are likely to take.

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Types of Video Interviews

What are the main types of video interviews?

Employers use different kinds of video interviews when hiring new employees, depending on the entry level, the role requirements and the company culture. Here are the top types of video interview used by employers:

1. On-demand or one-way video interview
2. Live video interview
3. Technical video interview

Now, let’s dive into each of these below. 

1. On-Demand Video Interview

What is an on-demand or one-way video interview?

A pre-recorded or on-demand interview allows you to record your responses to pre-set interview questions using a video interview platform within a specified timeframe. Once your video responses are submitted, the hiring team will review them at their convenience. 

Some recruiters may use AI-powered tools that analyse your body language and speech patterns from your response to determine your suitability for the role.

How to prepare and ace a one-way video interview?

1. Practice timed responses: Time management is crucial for recorded interviews. Practicing timing your responses can help you keep your responses concise and straight to the point to fit the time limit.

2. Understand the interview format: Try to make sure you familiarise yourself with the format and interview platform. Read the instructions to know how many questions you are required to answer and the time limit for each response.

3. Speak clearly and maintain good body language: Speak with confidence, maintain a good posture, and try to look directly into the camera when recording your answers. Avoid using slang or complex language.

4. Showcase your skills: Highlight your soft skills like communication, problem-solving and teamwork. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you have applied these in your previous roles.

5. Review before you submit: Most video interview providers allow re-recording answers. Double-check the instructions, as you may be able to leverage this feature to ensure that you give the best response possible.

6. Submit on time: Make sure you submit your responses on time before the submission deadline. Don’t wait until the last minute to submit and risk technical issues or mistakes.

Check out this short clip that reveals three mistakes you must avoid in your upcoming video interview.

That’s all for on-demand interviews. Let’s move on to another popular interview type: live video interviews.

2. Live Video Interview

What is a Live Video Interview?

A live video interview is a traditional interview done virtually through virtual interview platforms. In this case, you and your interviewer connect in real-time, and the interview proceeds as a regular conversation.

5 Top Tips to Ace Live Video Interviews

1. Practice your answers: practice interview questions with friends/family or even a mirror and use the feedback you get to improve your responses and structure your answers. This will help boost your confidence.

2. Dress smart: Research the company culture to know their dress code to help understand what to wear for your live video interview. This will help make a good first impression on your employers.

3. Keep eye contact and body language: When speaking, look directly into the camera rather than your screen to give the impression that you are making eye contact with your interviewer. Sit up straight and avoid fidgeting.

4. Highlight your skills: Demonstrate your suitability for the job by highlighting your skills and competencies that are relevant to the role in your responses. Use your research to discuss what interests you in the company to support your answers.

5. Ask questions: Show that you are interested in the job by asking your employer questions about the company or the role at the end of the live interview. You could ask about the company’s work culture and short-term or long-term goals.

These tips are sure to help you ace your live video interview. Now, let’s proceed to technical video interviews.

3. Technical Video Interview

What is a Technical Video Interview?

Technical video interviews are designed to assess your technical skills and abilities. They may involve coding challenges, problem-solving exercises, or other tasks relevant to the job requirements. To complete these tasks in a technical interview, it can take between an hour to half a day. 

It may sound a little tricky, but don’t fret; here are some helpful technical video interview tips to help you pass your next interview.

Top 5 Tips to Ace Technical Video Interviews

1. Practice in advance: Regularly practice coding challenges, technical problems, and reviewing algorithms and data structures. Try to participate in mock interviews or challenges to train your thought process.

2. Test your technology: Before the interview, make sure that your computer’s internet connection, camera, microphone, and any other necessary software or coding platforms are all operational.

3. Understand the problem: Make sure you thoroughly understand the problem before you proceed to code. You can try to explain your thought process as you work on the solution.

4. Test your code: After you finish writing your code, test it with sample inputs and edge cases. You can mentally work through your code or use test cases to verify its correctness.

5. Ask for feedback: If the platform allows you to interact with your interviewer, then do not hesitate to ask for guidance if you are stuck or uncertain about a solution. Employers often appreciate your willingness to collaborate and solve problems together.

Now that we have covered the types of video interviews, here are our top video interview tips to help boost your preparation.

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How to Prepare for a Video Interview

Check out our top 5 steps to prepare for your upcoming online video interview:

1. Research the Employer: As you would in any other interview, thoroughly research the company you are applying for. Understand their value and the job requirements, and try to tailor your responses to align with these.

2. Practice before the interview: Practice giving succinct answers to typical interview questions online. Make sure you practice until you feel confident and your answers flow naturally for you.

3. Choose the right environment: Stay in a quiet and well-lit space for the interview with a clear background behind you. Ensure that there are no distractions or possible interruptions while you are in the video interview.

4. Check your connection: Make sure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are working properly. Do a test run ahead of the interview to be sure there are no technical issues with your device.

5. Stay positive: Show your enthusiasm for the opportunity and convey your interest in the position when applying by highlighting your career goals that align with the role as well as your relevant skills.

Practice interview questions to ace your next video interview with our GF Video Interview platform and discover how to perfect your technique when answering critical industry interview questions. 

Now that we know how to prepare, what do online video interview questions look like? 

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Video Interview Questions and Answers

Your employer may ask you a range of questions during your video interview, especially if it is a live interview. These questions are mostly asked to get to know you better or to evaluate your experience or competence and will likely also include questions related to your field. 

What Are Some Example Video Interview Questions?

1. Tell me about yourself and your professional background
2. What activities energise you the most at work?
3. What is your greatest strength?
4. What excites you about joining our organisation?
5. Can you describe a time when you had to handle a dissatisfied customer?
6. What skill or attribute do you possess that makes you a valuable asset to our company?

How you respond to these questions is crucial to landing the job. Here are great answers to some of these questions.

Video Interview Example Questions and Answers

What activities energise you the most at work?

Good Answer: I thrive on problem-solving tasks that require creativity, innovation, and collaboration. I enjoy finding unique solutions to complex challenges. These challenges help me to keep focussed on my work and I often use these opportunities to improve my skills and form good relationships with my colleagues.

What is your greatest strength?

Good Answer: I possess a strong ability to adapt or adjust to changing situations. When faced with a new circumstance that may seem challenging, I try to focus on the positive side of the situation. This was handy in my previous role, when I and my team handled an urgent campaign for a client within a short period of time. It was challenging, but I used this chance to help develop my team working and problem-solving skills.

Can you describe a time when you had to handle a dissatisfied customer?

Good Answer:

• Situation: In my previous customer service role, I encountered an angry customer who was furious because her internet connection was down for days. 

• Task: My responsibility was to resolve customer’s problems as quickly as possible and restore their confidence in our brand.

• Action: I patiently listened as the customer expressed their concerns with their connection, apologised for the situation, and assured them that I would inform the maintenance department right away and ensured that the situation would be resolved as soon as possible.

• Result: The connection problem was swiftly resolved, the customers’ confidence in our brand was restored, and we used her feedback to improve our internet service moving forwards.

• Reflection: This experience reaffirmed the value of empathetic communication with customers and with fellow team members, as well as proactive problem-solving in customer service.

Check out this under one minute video to discover how you can effectively use the STAR+R format to answer competency video interview questions: 

And with this, we’ve covered everything you’ll need to know about video interviews. 

But before you go on to ace your next video interview and land that dream job, here are some answers to popular questions other candidates have asked.

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Video Interviews FAQs

What questions can I ask in a virtual interview?

• How would you describe the company’s work culture?
• What type of people thrive in this organisation?
• Does your company offer DE&I training?
• What are the company’s top three goals for this year?
• Can you describe the company’s biggest challenges?

How do you greet at the end of a video interview?

You can state that you enjoyed the meeting. You could add something like: Thank you for taking the time to talk today.

What do employers look for in a video interview?

Your employer is looking for someone whose attitude and experience align with their company’s values and key competencies.

What comes after a video interview?

The general practice is to give your employer at least fourteen business days to review all applicants. After that, feel free to reach out to your employer for some feedback.

What are 3 disadvantages of video interviews?

Some problems you may encounter when completing a video interview are:
Connectivity issues
Background noise or distraction
Faulty server
To avoid these, take the interview at home or somewhere quiet with a strong internet connection. Reach out to the employer if you are having any technical issues.

How to dress for a video interview?

Ensure you dress in a manner that matches the role you are applying for or the company’s culture or dress code. It is best practice to wear smart and comfortable clothes such as a suit and tie.

How long should video interview answers be?

Video interview responses can differ slightly depending on the employer preferences or the type of interview. Nevertheless, be sure to keep your answers straight and to the point. A good way to do this is by using the STAR+R method.

Can I take notes during a video interview?

Yes, it is okay to occasionally refer to notes or jot down important points during your video interview. This can also show the recruiter that you are listening attentively and are interested in the company.