Interviewing from home
Slowly but surely, we are getting used to the situation around “home office”. Our everyday life has changed to a very digital one and we are online more than ever before. We have been through a lot this year; nothing came as expected and now it is time to grow. When we face challenges, we grow with them. One of the main topics of Focus India 2020/21 is to manage challenges and take benefit of the digital opportunities. For example, we were not able to have a personal job interview during the lockdown. In this context, E-Recruitment is becoming more and more important.
Where E-Recruitment is required, Swiss Post is a significant step ahead. As one of Focus India’s Gold Partners in 2019/20, Swiss Post has been using time-shifted video interviews in the trainee recruitment process since 2016. The interview can be recorded independently of time and location.
Time-shifted video interview
We met Denise Mäder from Swiss Post – virtually of course – and she gave us exclusive advice on how to best prepare for the video interview. Denise Mäder is a former Focus India project team member from the year 2016/17 and has been working for Swiss Post for two and a half years now. Having started as a trainee and she is now responsible for the university entry. Swiss Post launched the video interview for trainees four years ago and has thus been able to improve the recruitment process immensely to the benefit of both the candidates and Swiss Post. The time-shifted videos enable recruiter to get to know considerably more potential candidates, who can respond without being tied to a specific time.
Denise Mäder from Swiss Post
So how does the time-shifted video interview work exactly and how do I prepare for it?
Sounds more complicated than it is. For the time-shifted video interviews you will receive a link and a time frame in which you record the video. Once you start the video interview, questions will be displayed on screen and you will have a few minutes to answer the questions. The preparation is very similar to a face-to-face interview, you inform yourself about the company and explain your reasons for being hired.
“The same as in a «normal» interview: Getting information about the company, being aware of why I am a candidate for the program, what I «bring» to the company and the company will bring to me for the future.” – Denise Mäder
An important advantage is that the interview is not limited to any specific location or timing restrictions. Besides, you can follow your personal biorhythm and choose the time when you are most productive. It is a powerful way for candidates to express their personal motivation. The only disadvantage is that you do not get immediate feedback in comparison to a face to face interview. In other words, it does not replace a spontaneous interview.
How has this improved the recruitment process?
“From the company’s perspective, it is also an advantage to get to know more than «just» one person’s dossier when dealing with a homogenous target group with specific questions.” – Denise Mäder
From the company’s point of view, it is advantageous that more people can be invited to a time-shifted video. This provides an opportunity for the candidates to express their self-motivation and at the same time offers a wider selection for recruiters.
The importance of using digital technologies will affect our everyday lives and provide opportunities to grow. Who knows, maybe we will soon try the time-shifted interview video and other exciting solutions that are driven by digitalization.
Focus India would like to take the opportunity to thank Swiss Post for the good cooperation and for these fascinating insights into their recruitment process.
– Written by Caroline Binder