The most important advice we have for experiencing success on Spark Hire is proactively communicating the following to your candidates.

• Where does the video interview fit in your hiring process?
• What does the video interview consist of?
• When do the candidates need to complete the interview?
• Why are you utilizing video interviews?
• How should a candidate get assistance if they need it?

Below, we’ve outlined how to answer these questions yourself and how to incorporate them into your communication with candidates.

Where does the video interview fit in your hiring process?

The step at which you use one-way video interviews in your hiring process depends on the challenges you’re facing.

Volume: If you have a lot of jobs or many applicants per job and an under-resourced HR/TA team relative to this workload, you have a capacity problem. In this scenario, we’d suggest using one-way video interviews directly after you screen resumes/CVs.

Quality: If your hiring process involves several different stakeholders and you want to ensure they only connect with the highest quality candidates, we’d suggest doing a one-way video interview after an intro call between a recruiter and a candidate. This gives the recruiter an opportunity to give the candidate more information about the job/organization and ensure the most qualified/engaged candidates are proceeding to the one-way video interview step.

So, once you’ve determined where one-way video interviews sit in your process, be sure to incorporate it into your communication with candidates.

✉️ Here’s some language to use based on a sample hiring process:

“Congrats! We’d like to invite you to the next step in our hiring process: a one-way video interview on Spark Hire. For context, our hiring process for this role looks like this:

1. Resume review
2. One-way video interview (you are here!)
3. Face-to-face interview with hiring manager
4. Reference checks”

What does the video interview consist of?

While one-way video interviews are quickly increasing in popularity, some candidates haven’t experienced one before so it’s important to tell them what it consists of.

✉️ Here’s some example language you can use:

“The one-way video interview consists of X questions that you’ll record video responses to at your convenience. You’ll be able to watch a tutorial video before starting and even do some practice recordings.”

When do the candidates need to complete the interview?

We typically recommend setting deadlines of 5-7 days for one-way video interviews to account for weekends and provide candidates with flexibility. With this deadline structure, you’ll have some candidates who complete it right away, others that finish right at the deadline, and some that may need an extension.

✉️ Here’s how you can tell candidates about their deadline:

“Please complete the interview within X days. The email from Spark Hire will have the exact deadline, but the sooner, the better! Keep in mind that you don’t have to finish the interview in one-sitting.”

Why are you utilizing video interviews?

Since some candidates are going through a one-way video interview for the first time, it’s helpful to give them context on why you’re utilizing this solution in your hiring process. More importantly, make sure you explain how it benefits them!

✉️ Here’s some simple text you can use:

“Using one-way video interviews, we’re able to provide all qualified candidates with an opportunity to share more details about their experience and answer some questions about the role. This enables us to get to know you better and get you in front of the hiring manager faster.”

How should a candidate get assistance if they need it?

Inevitably, some candidates will have follow up questions or need help with their one-way video interviews. That’s where our support team comes in!

Here’s how to help candidates the help they need when they need it:

“If you need any assistance when completing your one-way video interview, Spark Hire’s 24x7 support team can help! Reach out here to get in touch with them.”

Pulling it all together in your candidate communication

Bulk invites via Spark Hire

If you decide to bulk invite candidates through Spark Hire or via an ATS integration, we suggest sending an email like the one below separately to the candidates you’re inviting.

Subject: Next step in our hiring process

Hi Candidate Name,

Congrats! We’d like to invite you to the next step in our hiring process: a one-way video interview on Spark Hire. 

You’ll get an email from info@sparkhire.com with your invitation link.
For context, our hiring process for this role looks like this:

1. Resume review
2. One-way video interview (you are here!)
3. Face-to-face interview with hiring manager
4. Reference checks

The one-way video interview consists of X questions that you’ll record video responses to at your convenience. You’ll be able to watch a tutorial video before starting and even do some practice recordings.

Please complete the interview within X days. The email from Spark Hire will have the exact deadline, but the sooner, the better! Keep in mind that you don’t have to finish the interview in one-sitting.

Using one-way video interviews, we’re able to provide all qualified candidates with an opportunity to share more details about their experience and answer some questions about the role. This enables us to get to know you better and get you in front of the hiring manager faster.

If you need any assistance when completing your one-way video interview, Spark Hire’s 24x7 support team can help! Reach out here to get in touch with them.

Sending one-way interview link in your own email

If you decide to invite candidates by sharing a link in your own email, here’s an example template:

Subject: Next step in our hiring process

Hi Candidate Name,

Congrats! We’d like to invite you to the next step in our hiring process: a one-way video interview on Spark Hire. 

Here’s the link to your one-way video interview: Insert link here

For context, our hiring process for this role looks like this:

1. Resume review
2. One-way video interview (you are here!)
3. Face-to-face interview with hiring manager
4. Reference checks”

The one-way video interview consists of X questions that you’ll record video responses to at your convenience. You’ll be able to watch a tutorial video before starting and even do some practice recordings.

Please complete the interview within X days. The link above will have the exact deadline, but the sooner, the better! Keep in mind that you don’t have to finish the interview in one-sitting.

Using one-way video interviews, we’re able to provide all qualified candidates with an opportunity to share more details about their experience and answer some questions about the role. This enables us to get to know you better and get you in front of the hiring manager faster.

If you need any assistance when completing your one-way video interview, Spark Hire’s 24x7 support team can help! Reach out here to get in touch with them.