Best Video Interview Software

The art of interviewing has experienced a noticeable transformation, with face-to-face interactions giving way to virtual encounters. From businesses to educational institutions and individuals, video interview software has become a major societal role today.

For example, businesses can virtually connect with their clients in real-time, or recruiters can interview applicants through online screens. As virtual meetup gains more favors, more and more interview tools have sprouted massively in recent years.

With so many options of the best video interviewing platforms available, it can be challenging for you to choose the best ones. The following discussion will guide you to explore different types of interview platforms, including their benefits and best recommendations. Let’s begin!

What Is Video Interview Software?

Video interview software is a video-based technology tool designed to conduct interviews virtually. One of the main uses of it is to facilitate recruiters to communicate with job applicants and assess their performances remotely.

However, the benefit of video interview software may stretch beyond interviewing job seekers. For instance, business owners can also use it for interviewing clients or even hosting a team meeting.

In terms of features, it provides essential functions like pre-recording features, task management, and candidate management. Some may offer more diverse features like interview scheduling features and collaboration tools.

Different Kinds of Video Interviews

In general, video and audio interviews are categorized into real-time and pre-recorded interviews. Let’s find out how to set them apart in the short discussion below.

1. Live Video Interviewing

   A live video interview is an on-demand interview with real-time interaction between the interviewer(s) and the interviewee. This type of interview is similar to traditional face-to-face interviews but virtually. 

   Companies typically use video interview software or interviewing platforms specialized to conduct oral assessments of the applicants. Live video interviews can be one-on-one or panel interviews, where multiple interviewers participate from different locations.

   The main benefits of live video interviews include real-time communication and assessing non-verbal cues like body language and attire. Because the session is done in real-time, the interviewer and interviewee can get immediate feedback and clarification.

   Although live video interviews offer many benefits and can be an all-efficient option, they also have several drawbacks. The main challenges of live video interviewing include potential technical issues, connectivity problems, and time zone differences.

2. Pre-Recorded Interviews

   Pre-recorded interviews, or asynchronous video interviews, refer to interview sessions where candidates record their responses to questions at their convenience. The interviewers then review the recorded responses at a later time. 

   Pre-recorded interviews are particularly useful in the initial screening stages to sort the candidate pool before proceeding to live interviews and job boards. This approach can specifically benefit candidates to complete the interview at their own or preferred time.

   Meanwhile, employers can also take advantage of reducing scheduling conflicts and assessing initial screening quickly. Also, consistent evaluation helps recruiters work easier as all candidates answer the same set of questions.

   Still, pre-recorded interviews have some challenges. The primary concerns of this type of interview are the absence of real-time interaction and the potential for limited insight into a candidate’s interpersonal skills and spontaneity.

   Both live and pre-recorded video interviews can be performed using video interview software and integrated with applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline the hiring process. They offer a modern and convenient approach to interviewing, especially in scenarios when face-to-face interactions are not feasible.

   Additionally, the effectiveness of video interviews depends on factors such as the quality of the online interview software, the reliability of internet connections, and the ability of interviewers to adapt their evaluation methods to the virtual setting.

Who Uses Video Interview Software?

Digital interview software can cater to the diverse needs of different fields, from business to education sectors. Here are some common customers of online video interviewing software.

1. Job Candidates

   Video interview software is an essential tool for job seekers and candidates today. They use this software to participate in virtual interviews with recruiters and team leaders.

   They may record video responses or engage in a live interview session. Video interview software allows candidates to showcase their skills and qualifications regardless of location.

2. Recruiters and Hiring Managers

   The main use of video technology for a hiring manager or team is for conducting virtual interviews remotely. This opportunity helps them work more efficiently to handle applicants and allocate more effort to other essential tasks.

   For example, hiring managers can easily connect with qualified candidates in different geographic locations. They can also integrate candidate evaluation software for instant screening analysis and reporting.

3. Employers and HR Professionals

   Similar to recruiters and hiring managers, employers and HR professionals within organizations use interviewing platforms as part of their recruitment and hiring strategies. They may also use this tool more broadly.

   Some video interview software offers analytics to help HR professionals make data-driven and informed decisions. Meanwhile, other features like scheduling, recording, and progress notifications help them to streamline the process entirely.

4. Staffing and Recruitment Agencies

   Staffing and recruitment agencies act as a bridge between candidates and clients needing employees. Some companies may need to contact recruitment agencies to look for relevant employee candidates.

   Video interview software facilitates interactions between the agency, candidates, and clients. It allows them to communicate seamlessly and present a wider pool of qualified candidates to their clients, regardless of geographical constraints.

5. Educational Institutions

   Educational institutions, such as schools, universities, and online learning businesses, use video interview software for admissions and delivering materials. In some cases, scholarship interviews are also run through video interviewing platforms.

   Virtual communication allows educators to assess applicants from around the world. For instance, teachers use the software to deliver pre-recorded explainer videos, and universities can virtually interview future students in real-time.

   Video interview software offers multiple benefits to these user groups, including better accessibility, improved collaboration, and time and cost savings. On top of that, it helps them make more accurate and data-driven decisions during the hiring or admissions process.

Benefits of using the Best Video Interview Software

As we talk about the benefits of video interview platforms, they have many features to offer. From accessing a broader talent pool to providing time and cost efficiencies, here is a list of the advantages.

1. Access to a broader talent pool

   Using top-rated interview software can expose recruiters and hiring managers to a broader talent or applicant pool. With communication efficiencies, video tools help them save time communicating with the top talent or talents efficiently.

2. Improve Hiring Process Efficiency

   Top-tier video interview software offers various features to facilitate virtual communication. From pre-recording features to job evaluation software, hiring managers can leverage these tools to deliver their messages more professionally.

3. Enhanced Candidate Experience

   Virtual communication enables candidates to save more time and money on transport. They don’t have to leave their house to join the interview. Therefore, they can allocate more time for preparation.

4. Standardization of Interviews

   Video interview software ensures that all candidates receive the same set of questions, creating a standardized interview process to screen candidates. This consistency allows for fairer and more accurate comparisons among candidates and helps prevent hiring bias that can arise from variations in in-person and online interviews.

5. Collaboration and Feedback

   Multiple interviewers or team members can participate in interviews from different locations. This benefit fosters collaboration as interviewers can collectively evaluate candidates. Additionally, recorded interviews allow for easy sharing and review, facilitating better feedback and decision-making.

6. Assessment of Soft Skills

   Online interviewing software provides insights into qualities like communication, adaptability, and cultural fit that can be vague from a traditional resume. Assessing non-verbal cues, body language, and interpersonal skills is crucial for evaluating a candidate’s soft skills.

7. Time and Cost Savings

   Video interview software eliminates the need for candidates and interviewers to travel for face-to-face interviews, reducing the time and costs associated with travel, accommodation, and logistical arrangements. It streamlines the interview process, allowing more interviews to be conducted in a shorter span of time.

Essential Features of the Best Video Interview Software

Now, you may question, “What sets of features to look for when choosing the right video interview tools?” Below are some essential features you should check to find the best video interview software option on the market.

1. Live Video Interviews

   A live video feature offers on-demand for one-way video interviews between users. This type of interview allows for immediate feedback, questions clarification, and assessing candidates’ responses in a dynamic setting.

   It closely simulates traditional in-person interviews and helps interviewers gauge candidates' communication skills, presence, and reactions. Some video interview platforms also provide features for phone interviews.

2. Anti-cheating Measures

   Comprehensive software should include anti-cheating measures and background verification software as its top features. It prevents candidates from using unfair tactics.

   This feature can detect if candidates use external sources or get assistance during the interview. A secure and fair environment leads to accurate evaluation and fair candidate comparisons.

3. Analytics and Reporting

   Analytics and reporting features provide instant insights into the interview process and candidate performance. Recruiters and hiring managers can analyze data on candidate responses and identify patterns immediately without spending extensive time on candidate assessments.

4. Video Recording

   Recording video interviews is essential for multiple reasons. It allows for a thorough review and evaluation of candidates’ responses, enabling interviewers to focus on the content without taking extensive notes during the interview. 

   Moreover, recorded interviews can be shared among the hiring team members for collaborative assessment, ensuring consistency in evaluation criteria. Additionally, recorded interviews are useful for revisiting interviews at a later stage, especially when comparing candidates for final selection.

5. Customization and Branding

   Customization and branding features in video interview software allow organizations to create a consistent and professional candidate experience. They can add the company’s logo, colors, and branding elements to the interview interface. 

   Customization also extends to tailoring the interview questions to reflect the desired requirements of the role or organization. These are one-way video interviews for companies that can reinforce their identity and provide a polished impression to candidates.

6. Skills Validation

   Not many interviewing platforms have skills validation features. However, this tool helps evaluate a candidate’s technical abilities or qualifications directly within the video interview platforms. 

   For example, recruiters might integrate skill assessment tests or coding challenges in structured interviews that candidates must complete as part of the interview process.

7. One-Way & Two-Way Video Interviews

   One-way interviews involve candidates recording responses to predetermined questions, which are then reviewed by the hiring teams. This approach saves time and allows candidates to complete the interview at their convenience. 

   Meanwhile, two-way interviews enable real-time interactions between interviewers and candidates, simulating traditional interviews while accommodating remote or distributed teams.

8. Scheduling and Calendar Integration

   Scheduling and calendar integration features simplify the coordination of interviews. These features allow candidates to choose from available time slots, reducing back-and-forth communication. 

   Video interview software also integrates with popular calendar tools like Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook, ensuring that interview schedules are seamlessly incorporated into candidates’ and interviewers’ calendars.

How to Select the Right Online Video Interview Software?

A seamless, secure, and efficient video interview solution or event is vital. Learn the following factors when choosing the right video interview programs for your business or personal use.

1. Audio and video quality

   The two most vital features of video interviewing software are audio and video quality. Find the best video interview software that provides clear audio and high-definition video to ensure effective interview communication.

2. Ease of Use and Interface

   The software you choose should be easy to navigate, with clear instructions for setting up interviews, joining sessions, and using features. An intuitive interface reduces the learning curve, minimizes technical difficulties, and, most importantly, allows users to focus more on the interview.

3. Compatibility

   Video interview software with compatibility with various devices and operating systems is crucial. The software should work seamlessly on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones across different platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, etc.). 

   Video interview platforms with various compatibilities ensure users can participate in interviews using the most comfortable devices.

4. Security

   Security is crucial when dealing with personal and sensitive interview data. Search for video interview software that provides encryption and data protection to safeguard candidate information and interview content.

   Some factors you should look for include secure login, data encryption, and compliance with relevant privacy regulations.

5. Integration Capabilities

   Integration with other tools and platforms is valuable for a cohesive interview process. Your video interview software should be able to integrate with applicant tracking systems (ATS), email clients, and calendar tools to sync interview schedules, notifications, and candidate data automatically.

Potential Issues with Video Interview Software

Although video interview software offers many advantages, it also has some challenges that users may face. The five common potential issues include -

1. Connectivity and Technical Issues

   One potential issue is the reliance on stable internet connections. Users need a strong and consistent internet connection to ensure smooth communication when using video interview software. Technical glitches, such as audio or video lag, can disrupt the interview experience and hinder effective communication.

2. Candidate Comfort and Bias

   Video interviews might make some candidates uncomfortable, as they may not be familiar with the technology or feel nervous in front of a camera. Also, biased hiring can arise from evaluating candidates based on their appearance or background visible in the video.

3. Lack of Personal Interaction

   Video interviews lack the in-person, face-to-face interactions that can provide deeper insights into a candidate’s personality and interpersonal skills. Non-verbal cues and body language might be more limited in a virtual setting.

4. Candidate Fraud and Cheating

   Video interviews can open the door to potential fraud and cheating without proper monitoring. Candidates might seek external assistance or access unauthorized resources during the interview. However, many video interview platforms offer anti-fraud detectors to mitigate this matter.

5. Over-reliance on Technology

   Relying solely on video interview software may lead to overemphasizing technological solutions while neglecting the human aspect of the remote hiring process. Meanwhile, human judgment, intuition, and personal interaction can result in valuable insights.

Trends Related to Video Interviewing Software

Video interviewing software also relates to the recent workspace conditions, including remote working and AI implementations. Here is a list of the five trends you should know about video interview tools.

1. Remote work

   Remote working has become a trend among workers and companies for the past few years. As more companies promote remote and hybrid work models, video interviewing software becomes essential for connecting with candidates regardless of location.

2. Integration with HR Tech Eco-system

   In the age of advancement, HR technologies such as applicant tracking systems (ATS) and human resource management systems (HRMS) have sprouted over the years.

   Seamless integration between video interview software and HR tools allows for streamlined candidate management, automated scheduling, and data synchronization, resulting in a more enhanced workflow.

3. Asynchronous Video Interviews

   An asynchronous video interview is where candidates record their responses to preset questions without experiencing real-time conversations. Virtual interview software facilitates users by offering self-recording, editing, and scheduling features.

4. AI-Driven Video Assessments

   Artificial intelligence (AI) integration in video interview software results in advanced assessment capabilities. AI can analyze facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language to provide insights into a candidate’s soft skills and emotional intelligence. 

5. Diversity and Bias Mitigation

   Bias in selecting and interviewing candidates can impact a company negatively. Video interview software has features to help mitigate bias. 

   It helps anonymize candidate details, provides structured video interviews and video interview templates, and offers training to interviewers to reduce unconscious bias. This trend aligns with the increasing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment.

Other Software Related to Video Interview Platforms

Today, HR software is even more advanced. Other software that can be related and integrated into online video interview platforms include -

1. Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

   An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is familiar software for HR departments. It helps streamline recruitment by managing and organizing job applications, including posting job openings, tracking candidate submissions, and collaborating with team members.

   Integrating video interview software with ATS enhances efficiency by centralizing candidate data and facilitating communication between different stages of the onboarding process.

2. Pre-employment testing software

   Another rising trend related to the HR department is pre-employment testing software. This advanced technology helps recruiters evaluate candidates’ qualities to know whether or not they’re compatible with a specific role.

   As pre-employment testing is relatively new, only a few video interview software supports integrating both. So, finding an option related to this matter can be challenging.

3. Candidate Assessment Platforms

   Before recruiting new members into a workplace, performing skills and behavioral assessments to assess candidates is necessary. Many platforms have offered various assessment types, such as technical tests, behavioral assessments, and situational judgment tests.

   Recruiters can leverage these platforms to eliminate paper-based assessments. Also, the digital nature of online interviewing platforms offers immediate feedback for companies.

4. Onboarding Software

   Onboarding software simplifies the process of integrating new hires into an organization. It enhances the employee experience by ensuring a smooth transition into their new role by providing training modules, orientation sessions, and compliance procedures.

5. HR Analytics Software

   HR Analytics software uses data to provide insights into various HR processes, including recruitment, employee performance, and turnover rates. You can also integrate video interview software to streamline the interview process automatically.

What Is the Cost to Use Video Interview Platform?

Since each video platform offers designated features and tools, it may be hard to decide on a specific price range. However, several options provide a free version and trial before paying a monthly or yearly subscription. The average cost ranges between $50 to $150. 

It’s best to find several options according to your needs and preferences. Make comparisons of their features, interface, customer service, and pricing options. Find the most suitable video interview software by considering your budget and needs.

Conclusion

With so many online interview software today, it can be challenging for you to choose the best one. The above discussion can guide you to understand the basic knowledge about the best video interviewing solutions.

Moreover, you can use the recommendations mentioned in the article as your starting point to find the most suitable virtual interview platforms. Ensure your chosen platform supports integration with other software for smoother workflow.