Video interviewing is a recent component that’s been added across industries’ hiring processes to evaluate the candidates – professionally and personally. And, it’s saving hiring managers time! 56% of recruiters say lengthy hiring practices hold managers back from filling positions. But, let’s step back for a second and define “video interviewing” as it comes in many shapes and forms.

For the interviewee, video interviewing is the process of virtually interviewing for an open job position. For the interviewer, it’s the process of virtually interviewing a candidate for a job opening or posting videos on ILS and social sites for a job opening. This can be done through live or pre-recorded two-way or one-way video conferencing. Compared with just 2 years ago, 87% more people are choosing to use video conferencing!

Here’s how multifamily can enhance their hiring process to keep and retain an irreplaceable and successful team with video.

What’s Lost in Traditional Communication Efforts

The thing with video is you get to see the dialogue and digital experience in real-time, whereas with traditional communication efforts (i.e., email, texting, and phone calls) a few things can get lost in translation, such as:

• Facial expressions
• Personality
• Authenticity
• Tone
• Enthusiasm

Benefits of Video Interviewing

Video interviewing gives hiring managers an opportunity to build deeper connections with candidates more than a resume ever could. Resumes are important, but it’s also crucial to add a step in your hiring process where you get to know the other person beyond his/her resume. What do they do outside of work? What are their hobbies? Just be mindful not to ask questions that are too personal!

Using video in your hiring process also helps candidates visualize the day-to-day of a job more than a job description ever could. And the more video becomes prominent in our society, the less camera shy we are becoming. And, videos help ease some of the anxiety that comes with job hunting.

By creating a video showcasing your company’s culture, job seekers can get a glimpse into the company. Be sure to share these job posting videos on social media; like Facebook, LinkedIn, even TikTok! Have you heard about TikTok Resumes? 

Video Is Taking Over

Video is becoming the “norm”. It’s not uncommon to see teen girls practicing a dance and recording content to share on vlogs or TikTok, as I mentioned earlier. Regular phone calls have been replaced by video calls.

Video content creation is a skill that is needed; because customers connect with video communication, experience in video production (even if it’s ametuer) is a desirable skill.

Video interviews can offer insight into the comfort level your candidates have. If the position requires working with customers or creating content, the video interview process is a way to showcase this skill. Especially, if virtual tours are an important part of your leasing strategy, you’ll want to see how potential employees perform on video!

Our leadership team uses video in the hiring process. The first step is resume submission; if the candidate’s qualifications meet the requirements, they will be invited to submit a short video answering a few questions. This allows the candidate to show their personality and become more than just a piece of paper.

The Great Resignation of 2021

It’s possible that a job seeker checks all the boxes but might not be a good culture fit. Not to mention, these videos give candidates the opportunity to be memorable to the hiring team.

In return, video is essential for showing a candidate why your organization would be a great fit for them! Oftentimes, employees discover after joining the company that they don’t align with the organization’s values, or there is a disconnect between leadership and employees.

“The Great Resignation” of 2021 is a result of a few reasons, but one is employees are taking a stand and moving on from positions that aren’t aligned with their personal goals and overall well-being as human beings. Because of this, the industry is left with several openings, and job seekers can be choosy when making a decision on their next career move.

On-site teams especially, typically don’t have the option to work remotely or have flexible schedules due to leasing office hours and resident needs, which is contributing to this high turnover in our industry. If we don’t provide our teams with options, tools, training, and company culture, we are at risk of losing incredible talent to a competitor, or another industry altogether. 

But, luckily, there is talk about multifamily supporting remote work again!

Leasing office hours are normally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with requirements for leasing teams to work weekends. These hours can be difficult to maintain for an employee with a family. Allowing options for our on-site teams to have a more flexible schedule – with room for development and growth will attract and retain that top-notch talent.

Embed video into your hiring process to build on and retain skilled employees!