My research for our recent “How Does Working Remote Work?” post really got me thinking about the ways in which the recruitment industry is having to constantly adapt in order to keep up with relentless advances in technology.
Companies face a huge array of difficulties when it comes to being up to date with the latest technology trends and developments. It’s safe to say that the majority of candidates won’t look twice at a company if it lacks a credible online presence or has a naff website, and businesses are regularly losing out on good applicants because their digital application process isn’t up to scratch. Hands up those who’ve given up after uploading their expertly formatted CV, only to find out the next step of the process calls for all the same information to be loaded manually.
Something that kept cropping up in forums and articles, was the need for a strong video communication tool, whether it be for conference calls, interviewing or demos. So what’s this fuss over the fantastic world of video all about?
Video communication presents a vast number of benefits, allowing people to connect in a way that isn’t possible on any other platform. The ability to conduct video conversations has drastically changed the ways in which we can interview, educate and retain the best talent on the market.
I decided to leave my “I thought Skype was an energy drink” comfort zone and take some newer video technology for a test drive. The lovely guys over at Odro were kind enough to talk me through their one-click online video tool – and here’s what I discovered.
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Looking like a rabbit in headlights - screenshot from my video-call with Odro
Distance is no longer a barrier
Long gone are the days in which people wouldn’t be considered for a role, simply based on their location. It’s becoming increasingly feasible for a company’s workforce to be based on all four corners of the globe, partly thanks to a rise in the availability of video calling. Similarly, companies aren’t restricted to phone interviews when considering new employees. A video interview can give many more clues to a person’s personality than over the phone – it seamlessly bridges the gap between an audio call and a face-to-face meeting. In many cases, unlimited participants can join a conversation, meaning that everyone can get involved! The video call is also a much faster way to get a response to a question, and can result in expedited decision making. There’s no need to worry about travel costs, or time taken to reach a destination, when you can have an engaging, in depth conversation from wherever you want.
Increased Interaction
There’s something quite sombre about the traditional conference call – it conjures visions of people dialling in from their various locations, disembodied voices floating around in the ether. That’s where the art of video comes in. Visual cues and body language create a totally new dimension to the conversation, and it’s much easier to engage with someone that you can see, rather than simply hearing them over the phone. Equally, video calls are far more likely to capture the attention of everyone involved – it’s unlikely that participants can get away with scrolling through their phones if they’re on camera! Scheduled video meetings and interviews also have a higher attendance rate, and there’s no opportunity for people to blame the traffic for their tardiness! Seeing facial expressions and gestures makes for an entirely different type of interaction.
Supercharged Conversations
Video tools offer a wide range of additional features, such as screen sharing and recording. These also add another layer to the communication. Being able to record a video conversation means that it can be shared with those not in attendance, or reviewed at a later date for analysis. In terms of interviews, particularly for technical roles, screen sharing is invaluable – the interviewee can demonstrate their abilities to the recruiter on their own computer. Studying a video after the real-time even can allow hiring managers to make more informed decisions.
What does this mean for Recruitment, you ask? Well, this technology is going to help streamline the recruitment process in a massive way. Odro for example, offers an employer branded interface, accessible directly from an existing company website. Equally, there’s nothing to download or install. This kind of thing is going to revolutionise the way recruiters can get in touch with clients and candidates. Videos can be recorded, downloaded and shared via a simple link. Using video communication also has a positive impact on employer branding, keeping up to date with changing technologies and providing accessibility for people to chat from any location. From what I’ve seen, Video communication is the way forward and it’s definitely worth taking the time to consider how it can change the Recruitment process for good.
Let us know about your Video Conferencing experiences. Thanks to Odro for showing me the ropes! (You can check them out here)
You might also like:
How Does Working Remotely Work?
What Does Data Actually Mean In The Recruitment Industry?
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