What are live interviews?

Employers conduct live interviews through video calls that occur in real time. This type of interview is a synchronous form of communication, so the candidate and the interviewer speak in real time.

While communication tools such as Zoom or Google Hangouts can support live interviews, specialized interview software may offer additional hiring features. Indeed Interview is a live interview platform available to employers who place a job ad on Indeed.

Indeed Interview is accessible directly through a web browser. It automatically sends reminders and interview tips to candidates. Interviewers can also record their live interviews. You might share the recordings with colleagues or watch them later to re-evaluate the candidates. However, if you choose to record the meeting, it’s generally best practice to inform candidates in advance.

Pros and cons of live interviews

Live interviews allow participants to ask follow-up questions and clarify responses, but scheduling constraints may make one-way interviews a more practical option for some employers and candidates. Some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of live interviews include:

Advantages of live interviews

Live interviews foster open communication and help you assess abilities beyond standard questions. Consider these advantages:

• Natural conversations: Live interviews allow for a natural conversation, similar to an in-person meeting. This natural flow of dialogue can help the candidate feel comfortable, potentially improving the candidate experience.
• In-depth questions: You can explore a candidate’s experience and skills by asking follow-up questions. This process can lead to more informed hiring decisions.
• Candidates’ questions: Live interviews support two-way interactions. The candidate can ask the interviewer questions about compensation, benefits and company culture.

Considerations for live interviews

While live interviews can help you connect with candidates, consider the following:

• Time-intensive: Live interviews may require more time than prerecorded interviews due to their flexible structure and open communication. Prerecorded interviews may not offer in-depth discussions, but they typically have time limits for each answer, which may help your review process.
• Scheduling challenges: Because both the interviewer and candidate are present simultaneously, you may need to accommodate the candidate’s existing work schedules or personal obligations.

Best practices for live interviews

Consider following these best practices to make live interviews more effective:

• Test the system: Test your live interview system in advance. You can check that the software works, the network is fast enough, and the camera and microphone function properly. Testing the system can help prevent delays during the interview.
• Use scheduling software: Consider using scheduling software to automate the process. This can reduce the number of emails and calls needed to schedule and confirm live interviews.
• Prepare beforehand: Prepare a list of interview questions, potentially with a structured interview format. Reading the candidate’s resume and application before the interview can also help you prepare questions.
• Reserve a quiet room: Minimizing noise and interruptions can help you improve the candidate experience. If you work in an open-plan office, consider reserving the conference room for each interview.

What are one-way interviews?

One-way interviews, or prerecorded video interviews, allow employers and candidates to participate at different times. In a one-way interview, the interviewer sends the candidate a prerecorded video containing the interview questions. The candidate records a second video with their answers.

The interviewer and candidate can send their videos via email or a file-sharing service. Alternatively, the hiring company can use an interview platform designed for this purpose. Some platforms are browser-based, while others ask candidates to use a mobile application.

Pros and cons of one-way interviews

The asynchronous nature of one-way interviews offers scheduling flexibility and convenience, but it also has potential drawbacks.

Advantages of one-way interviews

Prerecorded interviews offer these advantages:

• Efficiency: One-way interviews may save recruiting time since interviewers can record a single video for candidates.
• Scheduling flexibility: The asynchronous nature of one-way interviews means you don’t have to schedule interview times. Candidates can record their answers during their free time, without taking time off from work.

Disadvantages of one-way interviews

One-way interviews aren’t ideal for every hiring situation. Consider these potential drawbacks:

• Unfamiliar format: Some job applicants may prefer an in-person format if they have little or no experience in front of a camera. You may receive more applications if you allow for live interviews.
• Limits with follow-up questions: Interviewers can’t ask additional questions to further assess candidates’ answers without sending a follow-up email. Candidates also can’t ask questions about the company or the open position.

Best practices for one-way interviews

Consider using these best practices to make your one-way interviews more effective:

• Provide an introduction: In the prerecorded video, introduce yourself, your company and the open position before asking interview questions. This helps the candidates understand your culture and your expectations.
• Provide a tutorial: You may want to give candidates a tutorial on how to complete one-way interviews, as some individuals may be unfamiliar with the format.
• Limit the number of questions: Asking relevant questions can help you find a quality hire. However, keeping your answers limited helps respect candidates’ time.

Live vs. prerecorded video interviews

Both live and one-way interviews can make the interviewing process more convenient for job candidates, potentially attracting a broader pool of applicants.

Live interviews can be more time-consuming, but they also allow for deeper dialogue between interviewers and candidates. They’re generally ideal for later-round, in-depth interviews with candidates who have already passed the initial screening. One-way interviews are generally efficient and can help you evaluate a large number of candidates quickly.