Posted by Landing your dream job takes careful preparation. In today’s remote and hybrid work environments, virtual interviews have become an important part of the hiring process. This article will provide an in-depth look at job interview software and help you make an informed decision about which option is best for your needs.
What is Job Interview Software?
Job interview software, also known as video interviewing software, allows employers to conduct virtual interviews over video conferencing technology. Candidates can participate in live or pre-recorded interviews from anywhere using a computer or mobile device.
Some key features of job interview software include:
- Video conferencing – Enables face-to-face conversations between interviewers and candidates via webcam.
- Recording capabilities – Allows for asynchronous interviews where candidates can pre-record their responses. Interviewers can then review at their convenience.
- Structured questions – Software provides a bank of standardized interview questions for consistency. Candidates can see questions ahead of time.
- Screensharing – Interviewers have the option to share their screen to provide further context around questions.
- Analytics and scoring – Robust reporting tools quantify performance based on verbal/non-verbal feedback. AI capabilities can flag top candidates.
- Scheduling and invitations – Interview dates/times are scheduled in advance and invitations are automatically sent to participants.
- Documentation storage – All interview documentation like recordings, notes, and scores are securely stored in one centralized location.
Popular job interview software providers include HireVue, Modern Hire, Spark Hire, and Jobvite Interview. Let’s explore these options in more detail.
HireVue
HireVue is one of the pioneers in video interviewing technology. Some key highlights:
- Supports both synchronous and asynchronous interview formats. Candidates can pre-record answers.
- Uses AI and speech analytics to assess verbal and non-verbal feedback like fillers, pauses, or facial expressions.
- Offers a library of 150+ standard job interview questions across various roles/industries. Custom questions can also be added.
- Provides in-depth scoring reports and comparison tools to easily identify top candidates.
- Integrates with applicant tracking systems (ATS) like Greenhouse, Lever, and Workday to streamline workflows.
- Hosts interviews securely on HireVue servers with end-to-end encryption and access controls.
- Pricing starts at $0.99 per interview for basic plans and up to $4.99/per interview for advanced analytics. Volume discounts are available.
Overall, HireVue is a robust option best suited for large enterprises looking for AI-powered insights and seamless ATS integration. The analytics capabilities set it apart from other players.
Modern Hire
As the name suggests, Modern Hire focuses on delivering a modern candidate experience. Here are some key attributes:
- Supports synchronous video and asynchronous audio/video interviews. Candidates can upload resumes/portfolios.
- Provides structured and situational interview templates across multiple roles. Custom templates can also be created.
- Interviewers have options like screen-sharing, webcam on/off, muting, and taking private notes.
- interview summaries, scores, and comparisons help identify top candidates for the next steps.
- Integrates with Greenhouse, Workable, Lever, and BambooHR ATS platforms.
- Pricing starts at $20/month for basic video calling. Advanced analytics packs start at $49/month.
Modern Hire prioritizes ease of use and a polished UX. It’s well-suited for mid-sized companies seeking structured interviews with basic analytics at competitive rates.
Spark Hire
Spark Hire focuses on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Key attributes include:
- Supports both synchronous and asynchronous interview modes via webcam or audio.
- Pre-built templates for common roles reduce setup time. Questions can be reordered on the fly.
- Real-time candidate scores calculated based on their responses help identify top picks quickly.
- Interview summaries are generated automatically after each interaction.
- Integrates with Greenhouse, Workable, Lever, Bullhorn, and freeJobboard ATS platforms.
- Affordable fixed price model – $49/month for up to 50 interviews and additional interviews priced at $1 each. No long-term commitments or extra fees.
Spark Hire is best suited for high-volume recruitment relying on speed and cost-efficiency over advanced analytics. The simple fixed-pricing model makes budgeting effortless.
Jobvite Interview
Last but not least is Jobvite Interview – a part of the Jobvite all-in-one recruitment suite. Some differentiators include:
- Supports both synchronous and asynchronous video interviews as well as audio interviews and written interview questions.
- Canned questions across top roles reduce repetitive work. Custom questions and flows can also be created.
- Real-time candidate evaluation and side-by-side comparison tools identify top performers.
- Integrates tightly with Jobvite Recruit ATS for seamless workflows. Jobvite Recruit is required.
- Advanced collaboration tools empower recruiters, hiring managers, and stakeholders to work as a team throughout selection.
- Pricing varies based on annual spend and usage but Jobvite Interview always comes bundled with Jobvite Recruit. Scales based on recruit volume.
Jobvite Interview is most attractive for enterprise customers already invested in the Jobvite recruiting platform seeking a fully integrated end-to-end solution.
Making the Decision: Factors to Consider
With so many options available, deciding on the right job interview software requires careful consideration of your unique needs. Here are some important factors to weigh:
Integration Requirements
If you already use a specific ATS, prioritize vendors that integrate tightly to avoid workflow disruption. Consider your long-term ATS roadmap as well.
Recruitment Volume
Higher volume recruitment warrants different requirements compared to occasional hiring. Affordability gains priority over advanced features.
Reporting and Analytics Needs
How important are metrics, rankings, and comparisons? Prioritize vendors with robust analytics if you need actionable hiring insights.
Team Collaboration Needs
For distributed teams, look for tools that enable real-time coaching, reviews, and decision-making across locations.
Budget
Weigh the total cost of ownership – not just software but also implementation, training, and potential customizations. Monthly/annual pricing varies significantly.
Futureproofing
Consider vendor stability, recurring investment in R&D, and platform scalability to future hiring goals and changing technologies.
Taking time to map these factors to your process helps identify the job interview software that provides the best fit both now and in the long run. Never compromise on security, reliability, and customer support either.
Comparing Options Side-by-Side
To summarize the key differences, here is a comparative table of the top job interview software vendors discussed:
| Criteria | HireVue | Modern Hire | Spark Hire | Jobvite Interview |
| Synchronous Interviews | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Asynchronous Interviews | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pre-Built Question Libraries | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Custom Question Creation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Screensharing | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Real-Time Candidate Scoring | – | – | ✔ | – |
| Advanced Analytics & Reporting | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| ATS Integrations | Multiple | Multiple | Multiple | Jobvite Only |
| Team Collaboration Tools | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Pricing Model | Per Interview | Monthly Subscription | Monthly Subscription | Bundled with ATS |
| Best Use Case | Large Enterprises | Mid-Sized Businesses | High Volume Recruiting | Enterprise End-to-End Solution |
Use this matrix to shortlist 2-3 options that align best with your criteria for a more granular evaluation. Remember – a free trial is the best way to experience the software firsthand.
Implementing Job Interview Software Effectively
To leverage your new job interview software to the fullest, follow these best practices:
Define Standardized Processes
Map current hiring workflows and identify areas the software can streamline like scheduling, documentation storage, etc. Define SOPs around their use.
Conduct Training Sessions
Train all stakeholders – recruiters, hiring managers, interviewers – on how to schedule, conduct, review, and track interviews using configured templates and built-in tools.
Communicate Expectations
Make candidates aware of the interview format and logistics in advance so they feel prepared and at ease. Address any technical queries proactively.
Pilot with Sample Interactions
Conduct sample recorded/live interviews with volunteers before going live to test configurations, identify bugs, and refine processes based on feedback.
Monitor Metrics Regularly
Leverage reporting features to track KPIs like time-to-hire, cost-savings, rejection rates, top skills, etc. Use insights to optimize questioning strategies, identify skill gaps, and benchmark performance over time. Monitor user feedback and continuously enhance the experience through minor software tweaks and process adjustments.
FAQs about Job Interview Software
Q1. Is job interview software effective for evaluating candidates virtually?
Video interviews are scientifically proven to be as effective as in-person meetings in assessing communication skills, subject matter expertise, and cultural fit when used correctly. While body language and non-verbal cues may be harder to discern virtually, structured question formats and analytical reporting eliminate bias to some extent. When combined with a robust vetting process, virtual interviews can reliably identify top talent remotely.
Q2. What is the typical cost of job interview software?
Pricing varies significantly based on the vendor, features, interview volumes, and subscription plans. Basic video calling starts as low as $20/month but advanced analytics packs range from $50-100/month. Per the interview, pricing ranges from $0.5-5 with volume discounts. It’s best to calculate the total cost of ownership factoring implementation, training, and customization costs too. On average, budget $100-500 per month for mid-sized firms and $500-2,000/month for large enterprises.
Q3. Are job interviews conducted via software as secure as in-person meetings?
All reputed vendors prioritize security and privacy. Features like end-to-end encryption, access controls, and data storage compliance ensure virtual interviews are just as secure if not more. Recordings are safely stored on vendor servers and not candidates’ devices minimizing external threats. However, as with any tech tool, thorough vendor evaluation and configuring strong authentication policies enhance security. Periodic security audits further strengthen safeguarding sensitive applicant data.
Q4. Can traditional in-person interviews be replaced entirely by virtual interviews?
While virtual interviews effectively scale recruiting efforts, a blended approach works best in most scenarios. Video interviews serve as valuable screening mechanisms to shortlist top candidates. But for senior or specialized roles requiring complex problem-solving evaluations, in-person interactions allow for a more nuanced cultural assessment hard to replicate remotely. The right mix could be 1-2 initial video interviews followed by an on-site meeting solely for advanced stages. A hybrid model allows leveraging the strengths of both while minimizing costs and carbon footprint.
Q5. What should companies look for in a job interview software vendor for the long run?
Some key factors that ensure a vendor remains a reliable long-term partner include financial stability, continuous product innovation, seamless platform integrations, dedicated customer support, and regular security audits. Request references, read reviews, and examine the vendor’s vision and investment in AI/AR technologies that elevate the hiring experience. Also important are responsive account managers, training programs, and flexible contracting allowing room to scale services up or down based on future goals. Negotiate favorable contracts ensuring affordability as business grows.