Should I record video questions, or use text questions?
Both options are fine, and even a combination can be done. If you have the time to record video questions, we would recommend doing that: If you choose to record video questions, the candidate gets a first contact with you and your company without a face-to-face meeting. Video also gives you a chance to shine and differentiate your company from the rest of the market.
Text questions are great if you need to get going quickly, it only takes couple of minutes to type the questions and you can start waiting for candidates’ video replies.
Setting up the environment
Ensure the basics, using the webcam in the preview mode:
Lighting: Ensure your face is clearly seen. Don’t record your video against a bright window.
Ambient noise: The environment doesn’t have to be totally silent, but your voice needs to come across loud and clear.
Enough volume: Ensure you speak clearly, and that your volume settings are adjusted properly. You can take a few practise recordings before shooting the actual questions.
Clothing, make-up, etc: Don’t worry about it too much. It’s just a job interview question, not America’s Next Top Model.
Which questions to ask the candidate?
Typically, a video interview starts with an introductory clip, followed by 2-5 questions. There may also be a “thank you” clip at the end.
The most common video job interview questions are:
Tell us about yourself
Describe your work history in brief
Why are you applying for this particular job?
Describe your strengths for this position
Describe a challenging situation, and how you resolved it
The more advanced the position, the more advanced and specific the questions should be.
The introductory clip typically introduces the interviewer, or interviewers. You could also congratulate the interviewee for making it this far in the process, and ask him to answer briefly.
How to behave in front of the camera?
One simple rule: Be yourself. Try not to adapt a "camera personality" that's far from who you truly are. This makes you seem natural, and also confident. It gives a realistic impression of you and the company to the interviewee.
Be creative
To make the video interview more interesting, heavy users have gotten creative:
Use several interviewers for each interview. For example, each team member asks one question.
As you shoot the questions, walk around the office, or just turn the camera around. This way, the candidate gets a feel for the environment.
Film the questions in a casual setting: outside in the park, in a restaurant during lunch hour, or even during company sports hour.
Use humor as much as possible (as long you remember good taste)
Other advice:
Remember to mention the deadline of the video replies in your invitation e-mail. Avoid deadlines in the weekends to assure fast customer service for the applicants.
If possible, mention in the job advertisement that video interview will be used in the recruiting process. If this is not possible, send a separate e-mail to applicants to inform them about the upcoming video interview.
Advice the applicants to keep their replies relatively short, 1-2 minutes at maximum. You can do this in the invitation or in your video.