Video interviews – even pre-recorded video interviews – are now a standard element in the overall recruitment process, and will continue to be so post-pandemic. According to Workable’s New World of Work study, 56.5% of businesses plan to make remote permanent for at least some of their workforce going forward. Only 6.2% of businesses plan to do nothing in general.
Even before COVID-19 introduced itself to our world, video interviews were used by 70% of the employers in the list of Talent Board’s Candidate Experience award winners. Time to hire is now shorter as a result of pre-recorded video interviews, and it’s cheaper too in terms of travel and time commitments both for the candidate and the recruiter.
- “Tell me about yourself”
- “Why are you interested in this job?”
- “What do you know about this company?
- Questions about your professional experience and CV.
- Availability and salary expectations.
PRE-RECORDED VIDEO INTERVIEW TIPS, Questions & BRILLIANT ANSWERS!
Video Interview FAQs
First, let’s answer some FAQs about video interviewing.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
There is no perfect answer to this question because responses will vary depending on the industry and the individual. A recruiter or hiring manager simply wants to find out how well you plan ahead and if your goals match those of the company. It’s important, though, to avoid saying anything that makes you seem abrasive, short-term minded, or lacking in goals.
What’s the difference between questions asked during live video interviews vs. one way interviews?
Real-time virtual meetings similar to Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime
Also known as one-way or on-demand interviews
Live Video Interviews
Live video interviews are similar to in-person interviews because the questions are asked in real-time, face-to-face (albeit virtually).
Pre-Recorded Video Interview
During one way (pre-recorded) video interviews, the questions are asynchronous to your answers, meaning they’re not occurring at the same time. Instead, you respond to pre-set questions whenever it’s convenient, and your answers are sent to the hiring team so they can review them later.
You should prepare for either kind of interview the same way, but just know that the one way interview format allows for video. They may include situational questions, which ask you to demonstrate how you’d handle on-the-job situations. For example, you might be shown a video of an angry customer and asked to roleplay how you’d resolve their complaint. Imagine you already have the job, and answer from that point of view.
Are video interview questions much different than those asked during in-person interviews?
It depends! Regardless of the format, the fundamentals of interviewing remain the same. You’ll want to project confidence, professionalism, and enthusiasm for the job whether you’re being interviewed digitally or you’re in the same room as the interviewer.
That said, there are two kinds of video interviews, and the way questions are asked can vary during each.
What do you know about our company?
There is no reason that you shouldn’t be able to answer this question. Thanks to the internet, you can easily look up anything you need to know about a company. The recruiter or hiring manager is asking this to see if you’ve done your research prior to the interview, therefore, make certain that you do. Research the company by browsing their website, reading articles about their accomplishments, and checking out their social media accounts (if any) to get an idea of their company culture. You don’t need to recite every single fact you find, but make sure you mention at least some of the following:
Your response should relate to the job description and your ability to perform the tasks assigned to you. For example, if you are being interviewed for a position where you will be leading a large group of people discuss your strong communication skills and ability to work with a variety of people and personalities.
