Streamline interviews for the good of all

Streamline interviews for the good of all

A recent recruitment survey found that it is not unusual for applicants who look strong on paper to be a disappointment at the interview stage. The survey revealed that 72 per cent of senior executives said it is, common for candidates with promising CVs to not to live up to expectations'. Irrespective of the various factors that can contribute to poor interview performance, a true measure of the applicant's potential and personality is not being ascertained from the tried and tested interview method'. On this evidence, fi nancial services recruitment specialist, Derek Ludlow, believes that the video CV is the way forward for both interviewer and interviewee. "This apparent discrepancy can be all but wiped out by viewing qualified candidates on video prior to committing to a time-consuming and potentially expensive in-person interview," says Ludlow, Managing Director of recruitment firm, McBarron Wood.

In 2008 a major online retailer reportedly spent approximately $1,000 (USD) each time it flew in a candidate, put them up in a hotel, and interviewed them in person the next day. The retailer, like many other companies, is now exploring the cost-saving possibilities of webcam interviews.

Since McBarron Wood's inception, they have been using Skype as a tool to combat this. "We think Skype which is free and has video capabilities, does a pretty good job of replacing a face-to-face meeting, in a way that a phone call can't. For example you see facial expressions and body language, you have a different sense of what a person is saying and how they are trying to get their point across,' says Ludlow. He continues, "Instead of announcing a shortlist to meet with you face-to-face, we as a company conduct as many screening interviews via Skype as possible and get candidates to record themselves at home with our advice and guidelines. We have a superb video email package, where candidates are able to present a recording of themselves and their core skill set, for free. They'll have a 3Dversion of the old one-dimensional paper CV."

As a business McBarron Wood continue to invest in new technology in order to add to the value of the recruitment process for both clients and candidates. The technological investments have been received well by clients and candidates. McBarron Wood offer this technology at no cost, as they believe that together they can create a better client and candidate experience, increasing the likelihood of a better hire, on time, every time, saving the candidate time and the company time and money.

From McBarron Wood's perspective, utilisng this technology provides clients with a greater insight into every candidate, in less time than has ever been possible before.

The paper CV is very quickly becoming outdated, the industry has to move with the technology available creating better candidate experiences and better candidate-to-client experiences.

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