The modern interview as we know it began in the early 1920s. As the Social Revolution raged into the Roaring 20s, the need for workers with specific skills required companies to be more selective with whom they hired. Colleges and universities that were previously reserved for the wealthy now offered degrees to the masses. As a result, employers had to figure out how to streamline their hiring processes.

However, it wasn't until the 1970s that structured interviews started to gain traction as a selection tool. A structured interview is a standardized process in which all candidates are asked the same questions. This method was intended to create a baseline so that the data collected from each interview led to making an offer to the best candidate.

Recently, compounding effects like the increased costs of in-person interviews, advancements in technology, and global shifts like COVID-19 required employers to make rapid changes to keep up with demand. Workforce shortages, the high cost of talent in developed countries, and the high demand for certain roles made it challenging for companies to find the right candidates. As a result, video interviews are quickly becoming a vital tool in the hiring process.

Why Video Interviews?

Video interviews provide many benefits to both employers and candidates. For employers, video interviews eliminate geographical barriers, save time and money on travel expenses, and allow for more flexibility in scheduling interviews. Especially with AI interview software like Pillar's interview intelligence.

The challenges faced by interviewers and candidates often stem from logistical issues like coordinating schedules, setting up physical locations to meet, or dealing with geographical distances that require high-cost flights, hotel stays, and other accommodations. These barriers can be mitigated effectively through video interviews, which provide the flexibility of location and time, reducing travel costs and facilitating a more efficient hiring process.

The advent of AI interview software is further revolutionizing the recruitment process. AI-powered software helps in effectively screening candidates, reducing biases in the selection process, and providing a level playing field for all candidates. Think about the best video interview software like a perfectly unbiased interviewer sitting in on an interview- this is the power of the tools we have today. But more on that in the next section -

Video Interview Tips:

Before delving into specific software options, it is important to understand that a successful video interview requires preparation and practice. Here are some tips for conducting or participating in a video interview:

- Test your equipment beforehand: Check your internet connection, camera, microphone, and audio are all functioning correctly before the interview to avoid any technical issues.

- Choose a suitable location: Ensure you have a quiet and well-lit space for the interview. Avoid any distracting background noises or clutter. Use a neutral background if possible.

- Dress professionally: Even though the interview is virtual, it is essential to dress appropriately as it reflects your professionalism and seriousness towards the opportunity.

- Make eye contact: Look directly into the camera to create a sense of connection with the interviewer. Healthy eye contact (that's not overdone) can be a great tool to create trust between an interviewer and a candidate.

- Practice beforehand: Familiarize yourself with the video interview software and practice answering some common interview questions to feel more confident during the actual interview.

As you can see, many of the video interview tips and tricks are common sense. It's not hard to set yourself up for success when interviewing good candidates - with a little preparation and helpful tools like interview intelligence running the background, you can build a great team!

Video Interview Questions And Answers

Many of the video interview platforms on the market today are going to offer more generic video interview questions and answers. At Pillar, we took a different approach. We created a library of more than 1000 video interview questions specific to nearly every role you'd want to hire. From Account Executives and Product Managers to Software Engineers and Developers our interview questions library has you covered. What's even more valuable is that you can add the questions to our video interview software with just a few clicks to use as prompts in the interview. This ensures a consistent and structured process for every candidate, making it easier to compare them objectively.

We all know that good interview questions are the cornerstone of assembling a high-performing team. They're the filter for your selection process. Great interview questions are not just a formality, they're a critical tool used to dig deep into a candidate's experience, mindset, and suitability for the role. Choosing the right questions can reveal insights into a candidate’s problem-solving capabilities, personality, team collaboration skills, and adaptability to change- all necessary factors in today's rapidly changing world. Building a team with diverse talents and the ability to "synergize" is pivotal to maintaining a competitive edge in today's dynamic markets, and that process starts with asking the right questions in the interview.

But instead of talking about it, let's dive into some interview questions so you can see how effective and insightful they can be in identifying the best candidates for your team. Keep in mind that these are just a few examples of our library of questions and that you can add, modify, or customize them to fit your specific needs.

- Take me back to the most difficult project you worked on recently. What made it difficult and how did you handle it?

- Describe a time when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem at work. What was your approach and how did it impact the final result?

- Can you share an experience where you had to adapt quickly to a rapidly changing situation? What was the situation? How did you decide on the right course of action? And, what were your results?

We're probably all familiar with the interesting questions we've seen billionaire founders like Elon Musk, Drew Houston, Stephen Schwartzman, and others ask candidates. These types of unconventional questions are great at revealing how a candidate thinks on their feet and approaches problem-solving. However, for more practical roles, these types of questions may not be as relevant. For instance, Jeff Bezos allegedly loved asking interview questions like, "How much would you charge to wash all the windows in Seattle?" or "How many golf balls could fit in a school bus?". While these questions may be interesting to ponder and reveal some creative thinking, they don't necessarily help us understand the candidate's skills and experience for the job at hand- but they do give us a great barometer to how the candidate processed large datasets and solves problems- which can be helpful for many roles.

Pre-Recorded Video Interview Examples

A recent addition to the world of video interviews is the Pre-Recorded Video Interview. Pre-recorded video Interviews, also known as "asynchronous" video interviews, are a modern approach to the traditional interview process. Instead of a live interaction, candidates are provided with a set of predefined questions and are asked to record their responses at their convenience. This method offers flexibility to both employers and candidates, as it removes the need to schedule a specific time for the interview, and allows candidates to take the time they need to provide thoughtful and well-formulated answers.

One of the key factors in generating great pre-recorded video interviews is giving clear instructions. You may want to have a checklist of what to include in the video interview introduction, how to open and close the video, and then include sample video interview questions and answers so the candidate has clear directions to follow.

Pre-Recorded Video Interview Examples

1. "Tell us about yourself and why you are interested in this position?"

A classic opener, this question allows candidates to present their professional background and express their enthusiasm for the job opportunity.

2. "Describe a challenge you faced in your last role and how you overcame it."

This gives insight into the candidate's problem-solving and resilience, showcasing their approach to overcoming professional obstacles.

3. "Where do you see yourself in five years, and how does this role align with your career goals?"

Candidates can demonstrate their long-term vision and how the role fits into their career path, revealing alignment with the company's future.

These examples illustrate how pre-recorded video interviews can effectively gauge a candidate's experience, communication skills, and cultural fit without the need for real-time interaction.

These are only 3 of the many questions you could ask a candidate to answer in a pre-recorded video interview. The challenge is gathering a list of questions and answers that allows you to properly assess the candidate's skills, experience, and cultural fit for your company. Luckily, our interview questions library offers a wide range of questions to choose from and customize according to your needs. With the use of our video interview software, you can easily create a comprehensive and effective pre-recorded video interview process that will streamline your hiring process and help you identify top talent for your team.

If you're currently struggling to find the best people for your open roles, book a demo to chat with someone from our team. We'd love to show you how an effective hiring process and interview intelligence can revolutionize your hiring. Pillar was founded to help you make better hires for less so you can build a great team and do good work. We're here when you need us! Happy Hiring!