Video conferencing can adversely affect both applicant reactions and interviewer judgments

Updated on: Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Job applicants interviewed through video conferencing come across as less likeable, according to a new study from McMaster's DeGroote School of Business.

The study conducted by Greg Sears and Haiyan Zhang when they were PhD students at DeGroote, and co-authored by associate professor Willi Wiesner - shows that using video conferencing for job interviews disadvantages both employers and candidates.

Sears, now an associate professor at the Sprott School of Business, said, "Increasingly, video technology is being used in employment interviewing because companies feel it provides convenience and cost savings."

"Despite their growing use, our study shows that video conference interviews are not equivalent to face to face interviews," Sears said.

In simulated job interviews, candidates who were interviewed by video were rated lower by interviewers and were less likely to be recommended for hiring.

On the other side of the webcam, candidates also rated their interviewers as less attractive, personable, trustworthy and competent.

Accurate assessments of candidates and positive evaluations of interviewers are essential as organisations compete for talent. Candidates who evaluate their interviewers more positively are more likely to accept a job offer, researchers said.

Wiesner, associate professor, Human Resources at DeGroote, said, "These findings suggest that using video conferencing can adversely affect both applicant reactions and interviewer judgments."

"Video conferencing places technological barriers between applicants and interviewers. Employers and applicants should work to reduce the barriers that arise through video conferencing and improve the interpersonal aspects of the interview process," Wiesner said.

The researchers recommend that video conferencing be used only for preliminary screening interviews. Final selection of candidates should be conducted through face to face interviews.

The study was published in the journal Management Decision.

Video conferencing can adversely affect both applicant reactions and interviewer judgments

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