One-Way Video Interview Questions: Unlock Top Talent Efficiently

·  6 minutes read

Hiring is evolving, and one-way video interviews are at the forefront of this transformation. But here’s the catch: the effectiveness of such evaluation methods depends highly on one-way video interview questions.

Are you ready to elevate your hiring process with the right one-way video interview questions? Let’s dive in!

Why One-Way Video Interview Questions Matter

In a traditional interview, you can probe, clarify, and adapt your questions on the fly. But in a one-way video interview, you have one shot. Your questions need to be spot-on to get the insights you need from the candidates. 

Crafting effective one-way video interview questions is essential to:

  • Uncover genuine candidate insights
  • Accurately assess skills and cultural fit
  • Streamline your decision-making process

By asking the right questions, you can have a deeper understanding of each candidate without the need for multiple rounds of interviews.

Crafting the Perfect One-Way Video Interview Questions

1. Focus on Open-Ended Questions

A candidate is answering open-ended questions in a one-way video interview.

Yes-or-no answers won’t give you much to work with. Instead, ask questions that encourage candidates to share experiences and thoughts.

For example:

  • “What motivates you in your professional life?”
  • “How have you overcome challenges in past projects?”

These questions invite detailed responses and reveal more about the candidate’s abilities and mindset.

2. Align Questions with Job Requirements

What are the must-have skills and qualities for the role? Tailor your questions to assess the required hard skills.

For a leadership position, you might ask:

  • “Describe a time when you led a team through significant change.”

For a technical role:

  • “How do you stay updated with the latest industry developments?”

By aligning questions with job requirements, you ensure you’re assessing the most relevant competencies.

3. Evaluate Cultural Fit

An empty chair at a modern office

Skills are vital, but so is fitting into your company culture. Include questions that reveal a candidate’s values and work style.

Consider asking:

  • “What does teamwork mean to you?”
  • “How do you handle feedback and continuous improvement?”

Understanding their approach to collaboration and growth helps determine if they’ll thrive in your environment.

4. Assess Problem-Solving Abilities

Assessing problem-solving skills is highly crucial especially if you’re hiring for senior positions. You want candidates who can think on their feet. Pose situational questions that reveal their analytical skills and ability to handle pressure.

For example:

  • “How would you approach a tight deadline with limited resources?”
  • “Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult decision quickly.”

These scenarios provide insight into their problem-solving processes.

5. Keep It Relevant and Respectful

Avoid trick questions or those that might make candidates uncomfortable. Your goal is to gather useful information, not to trip them up.

Ensure your questions are professional and relevant to the role. This approach fosters a positive candidate experience and engagement and reflects well on your company.

Top One-Way Video Interview Questions by Role

For Management Roles

  • “How do you motivate your team during challenging times?”
  • “Can you provide an example of successful conflict resolution under your leadership?”

These questions assess leadership style and interpersonal skills, crucial for managerial positions.

For Sales Positions

A confident salesperson
  • “What strategies do you use to meet and exceed sales targets?”
  • “How do you handle rejection and stay motivated?”

They reveal the candidate’s resilience and sales acumen, essential traits to assess in sales roles.

For Customer Service Roles

  • “Describe a time when you turned a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one.”
  • “How do you manage high-pressure situations with customers?”

These questions focus on communication skills and problem-solving, which are key in customer-facing positions.

For Technical Positions

  • “Can you explain a complex technical concept to someone without a technical background?”
  • “How do you approach debugging a critical issue in a live environment?”

They assess technical expertise and the ability to communicate effectively, important for technical roles.

For Creative Roles

An empty chair for a creative professional at a modern office.
  • “What inspires your creativity, and how do you apply it to your work?”
  • “Share a project you’re particularly proud of and why.”

These questions assess creativity and passion, vital for creative positions.

Structuring Your One-Way Video Interview Questions

Start with a Warm Introduction

Set a positive tone. A friendly introduction helps candidates feel at ease.

“Thank you for applying to [Your Company Name]. We’re excited to learn more about you.”

This personal touch reflects your company’s culture and values.

Limit the Number of Questions

Keep it concise. Aim for 5 to 7 key questions that cover the most important areas. This respects the candidate’s time and focuses on quality over quantity.

Provide Clear Instructions

Help candidates give their best by offering clear guidelines.

  • “Please limit your responses to 2 minutes per question.”
  • “We encourage you to share specific examples from your experience.”

Clear instructions ensure candidates know what’s expected, reducing confusion and anxiety.

Close with an Open-Ended Prompt

Give candidates a chance to add anything else.

“Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?”

This allows them to share additional insights or address aspects not covered by your questions, offering a fuller picture of their potential.

Enhancing the Candidate Experience

Remember, the one-way video interview is also a reflection of your company. A positive experience can enhance your employer brand.

Be Transparent

Explain the purpose of the interview and how it fits into your hiring process. Transparency builds trust and sets clear expectations.

For example:

“This one-way video interview helps us understand your qualifications beyond your resume. It allows us to assess your fit with our team and culture.”

Be Respectful of Their Time

Keep the total expected time reasonable, usually under 30 minutes. Candidates appreciate consideration for their schedules, especially if they’re balancing other commitments.

Offer Support

Provide a contact for technical assistance if needed. This shows you care about their experience and are committed to making the process smooth.

“If you encounter any technical issues, please reach out to us at [contact information]. We’re here to help.”

Leveraging One-Way Video Interview Questions for Better Hiring Decisions

Standardize Your Evaluation

Create a scoring rubric based on the competencies you’re assessing:

  • Communication skills
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Cultural fit
  • Technical or hard employability skills

Standardization reduces bias and facilitates fair comparisons among candidates.

Involve Multiple Team Members

Share the interviews with key stakeholders. Gathering diverse perspectives enriches the evaluation process and promotes a more holistic assessment.

Use Technology Wisely

Leverage platform features for notes and ratings. Efficient use of technology streamlines decision-making and keeps evaluations organized.

Combine With Smart Candidate Scorecard

Discovered’s one-way video interview tool is combined with a comprehensive set of features to help you seamlessly assess your candidates. Our candidate scorecard will automatically share insights on each of the candidates. 

Conclusion

One-way video interviews are a powerful tool, but their effectiveness depends on the questions you ask. By crafting thoughtful one-way video interview questions, you can:

  • Gain deeper insights into candidates
  • Streamline your hiring process
  • Make more informed decisions

Ready to transform your recruitment strategy? Start implementing these tips today.

Need assistance with one-way video interviews?

Discover how our platform can help you craft the perfect questions and find the best talent.

Book a Demo Now!

Content

    Fletcher Wimbush  ·  CEO at Discovered.AI
    Fletcher Wimbush · CEO at Discovered.AI
    Subscribe to our newsletter