topic Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this? in Community Chat

The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

LonestarBabs — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 15:31:13 GMT

I have been asked to participate in a digital interview as part of the hiring process at a large Fortune company. No human interaction -- you sit in front of your device with camera and microphone activated and and answer programmed questions within a certain # of minutes. Your facial expressions, body language, and vocal inflections are assessed. A dashboard is created comparing you against other candidates using artificial intelligence algorithms, and the hiring team(s) can then play back your responses and share their opinions within the dashboard. If your responses and demeanor are aligned with "match criteria" defined by the employer you could then be asked for additional in-person or phone interviews.

Has anyone experienced this approach?

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

OKPrincess — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:09:44 GMT

That’s interesting but no. I’ve been retired two years so maybe that’s new.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

chrystaltree — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:17:00 GMT

Wow...sci fi stuff. I've heard about it but my company isn't that technologically sophisticated when it comes to hiring. However, 100% of 1st and 2nd interviews with potential candidates are virtual online now with pre-determined questions and talking points. Interviewers can ask their own questions but they must cover the talking points. A face to face interviewed is only scheduled when a manager or director is fairly certain or definitely going to offer the candidate the job. At 57, I never liked or felt comfortable sitting at a computer and interviewing someone who could be a mile away or 2000 miles away.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

LonestarBabs — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:23:35 GMT

@chrystaltree I'm fine with online interviews, a two-way conversation of some type via video chat/Skype, etc. I've already been scheduled for a live phone interview, but just received the request for the digital interview. I'm back in the market for a full-time job after finishing my PhD, so I guess I'd better get used to this approach. I just want another 5 years or so of full-time, and then plan to transition to part-time or retirement.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

chrystaltree — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:28:29 GMT

@LonestarBabswrote:
@chrystaltree I'm fine with online interviews, a two-way conversation of some type via video chat/Skype, etc. I've already been scheduled for a live phone interview, but just received the request for the digital interview. I'm back in the market for a full-time job after finishing my PhD, so I guess I'd better get used to this approach. I just want another 5 years or so of full-time, and then plan to transition to part-time or retirement.

Yes indeed. As they say....the future is now.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

Meowingkitty — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:38:04 GMT

I guess it sure beats having to get dressed up, going out in the sweltering heat, finding a parking place, looking for an address etc.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

Spurt — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 15:03:12 GMT

A friend's daughter graduated from college and applied for a job with an National IT Company and they did a digital interview, and then a phone interview....At first we were a bit concerned because we thought maybe its some sort of a scam ....but its legit and she got the job.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

ahoymate — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:50:21 GMT

Keep in mind, this is an inexpensive way for companies to conduct interviews, vs. flying someone in & doing a face-to-face. I've been asked but my decision was if they are this cheap than expect the same from the culture & job. No thank you.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

LonestarBabs — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:59:02 GMT

There are definite pros and cons to this. Believe, me I'm a bit conflicted...you are all raising some good points.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

Snowpuppy — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 16:27:11 GMT

Yes, DS just had one.

A recruiter for a Fortune 100 company contacted him on Linkedin. In his industry this is common.

This was followed by a short phone interview with the recruiter who described the process for the digital interview. He completed the digital interview but wasn't hired.

The recruiter did get back to him and said this was a new process for this company and was getting mixed reviews about how effective it is.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

LonestarBabs — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 17:32:05 GMT

@Snowpuppy Yes, this is becoming quite common. I already have a phone interview scheduled, so was confused as to the sequence of the contacts. Seems digital comes first, then phone, then add'l interviews, etc. I guess it seemed out of sequence, but in big companies there are many people with their individual responsibilities and lists to check, so perhaps there wasn't an alignment. Gee, imagine that...

I"m going to embrace the opportunity to use a new technology and make it work to my advantage. I shall exhibit enthusiasm and the ability to adapt!

How can I gauge my fit -- after all, not only is the company evaluating me but I am evalutating them -- without the personal contact. Guess it's just a gatekeeping step.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

missy1 — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 22:19:23 GMT

I would never do a interview that way (camera). I have done a phone interview. That's as far as I would go.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

LonestarBabs — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 17:44:51 GMT

UPDATE: After much thought, I've decided not to pursue the job. Not because of the digital interview, but because of a number of things regarding the position itself and my goals.

At least now I know that this interview tool is out there and will be delighted when a prospective employer desires to actually meet me.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

chrystaltree — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 17:47:24 GMT

@missy1wrote:
I would never do a interview that way (camera). I have done a phone interview. That's as far as I would go.

In that case, they'd drop your from the list of applicants and move on. It's not like they give you a choice.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

missy1 — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 18:10:54 GMT

@chrystaltreewrote:
@missy1wrote:
I would never do a interview that way (camera). I have done a phone interview. That's as far as I would go.

In that case, they'd drop your from the list of applicants and move on. It's not like they give you a choice.

That would be fine by me.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

YorkieonmyPillow — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 18:16:39 GMT

@LonestarBabswrote:
I have been asked to participate in a digital interview as part of the hiring process at a large Fortune company. No human interaction -- you sit in front of your device with camera and microphone activated and and answer programmed questions within a certain # of minutes. Your facial expressions, body language, and vocal inflections are assessed. A dashboard is created comparing you against other candidates using artificial intelligence algorithms, and the hiring team(s) can then play back your responses and share their opinions within the dashboard. If your responses and demeanor are aligned with "match criteria" defined by the employer you could then be asked for additional in-person or phone interviews.

Has anyone experienced this approach?

I haven't but I probably wouldn't participate in such an "interview," it sounds creepy, weird, and almost an invasion of one's privacy....I would be concerned that the video of said "interview" would not be released to any OTHER entity/company/person.

I wouldn't want to be assessed by an algorithm.

Apparently there is no one there capable of interviewing a person.

Wouldn't want to work there. JMO

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

LonestarBabs — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 14:51:35 GMT

I'm drafting my "please withdraw my application" note today. I'm going to mention that I prefer to conduct preliminary explorations of a prospective employer through two-way dialog to then determine mutual interest -- I'm happy to do the phone interview as scheduled but the use of Hirevue’s one-way digital interview up front does not align with my preferences for initially evaluating a potential employer. I will also mention that I'm certainly available for two-way videoconferencing.

How do I know I would even want the job if I can't ask questions up front to proceed? Frankly, they're wasting my time and theirs with this one-way programmed nonsense. And I have serious privacy concerns. I did some research over the weekend and it certainly confirmed/aligned with my concerns.

If a company acts this way when you are a candidate, how will they treat you as an employee? No thanks. If you don’t care enough to talk to me first, then you are not my employer of choice. And if you're so focused on saving money and time that you're willing to use this dehumanizing approach and outsource to a third party platform instead of train and equip your HR staff to do their job, I question how you'd support me as an employee.

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

missy1 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 17:30:48 GMT

@YorkieonmyPillowwrote:
@LonestarBabswrote:
I have been asked to participate in a digital interview as part of the hiring process at a large Fortune company. No human interaction -- you sit in front of your device with camera and microphone activated and and answer programmed questions within a certain # of minutes. Your facial expressions, body language, and vocal inflections are assessed. A dashboard is created comparing you against other candidates using artificial intelligence algorithms, and the hiring team(s) can then play back your responses and share their opinions within the dashboard. If your responses and demeanor are aligned with "match criteria" defined by the employer you could then be asked for additional in-person or phone interviews.

Has anyone experienced this approach?
I haven't but I probably wouldn't participate in such an "interview," it sounds creepy, weird, and almost an invasion of one's privacy....I would be concerned that the video of said "interview" would not be released to any OTHER entity/company/person.
I wouldn't want to be assessed by an algorithm.
Apparently there is no one there capable of interviewing a person.
Wouldn't want to work there. JMO

ITA. Where could this video interview end up?

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

Lilysmom — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 18:53:08 GMT

@LonestarBabs, good luck! LM

PS, just read your second post. I believe it is a good idea that you provide the specific feedback to the prospective employer. I would also find some young professionals, especially any that have done this, and get their feedback. I wouldn’t be dismissing an opportunity out of hand without discussing it with someone who has been through the process. I would be also interested to know how headhunters view this technology. It could be career limiting to dismiss it out of hand. LM

Re: The digital interview - anyone experienced this?

VaBelle35 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 19:42:01 GMT

Even if I wasn't interested in the job, I would still do the digital interview as practice so that the next time it came up I would have a little experience with how it works.