Are Traditional Interviews Dated?

 

Several studies have shown that the traditional way of interviewing is fast becoming a thing of the past. Rather than the interviewer seeing what the person would actually be like at the job, they listen to rehearsed answers given by a candidate who is more than likely very nervous – this does not show true potential. Bias may get in the way of hiring a person who would be able to perform well over someone that the interviewers likes or clicks with. The traditional interview also fails at assessing candidates for soft skills and understanding weaknesses.

Five new interviewing techniques are starting to be used more frequently to access and engage candidates more effectively:

  1. Soft Skills Assessments: Companies use several tools like surveys and questionnaires to measure key soft skills. The tool creates a profile based on top performing employees against which candidates are compared. They can also rank candidate’s strengths and weaknesses which allows the company to conduct more in-depth interviews. Candidates also receive immediate and personalised feedback about their top skills which is very positive.
  2. Job Auditions: Companies arrange a ‘Job Audition’ day where they get potential employees to compete by solving real business problems with data. Recruiters watch them at work in terms of company processes and access everything from how they think to how they lead and cooperate with their fellow team mates. This gives the company an ideal opportunity to engage with their candidates while assessing their skills on the job.
  3. Meeting in Casual Settings: This is a more laid-back way of interviewing. The candidate will more than likely be less stressed and more at ease. This will in turn encourage a more open and honest conversation between interviewer and interviewee with not as much chance of ‘rehearsed’ answers and nerves. Unexpected things may happen, and employers can assess how candidates handle these situations.
  4. Virtual Reality Assessments: Candidates move freely within a 360-degree virtual reality world and are given tasks to perform using tracked motion controls. Companies can clearly assess strengths and weaknesses and key skills for the job using this technique instead of just asking questions.
  5. Video Interviews: Before even meeting candidates, some companies start using video interviews before meeting them face to face. In their own time, the candidate usually spends up to twenty minutes recording answers to various questions. They introduce themselves and answer each question accordingly. The company’s recruitment team will then watch the videos and select the most appealing candidates for the next stage of the recruitment process.

Companies may also invite you to ‘A day in the life of’ event, where candidates get to feel and see what it is like to work at the company, all the while being assessed by managers.

 

So, the future of interviewing is here! The above interview techniques will be on the increase whether we like it or not so it’s best to find out as much as possible about them and be prepared for any future job applications!