40 One-Way Video Interview Questions To Screen for Top Talent 

Interviewing job applicants can be a long and time-consuming process. Honing in on the right candidate can be even more difficult. One-way video interviews, also called asynchronous video interviews or pre-recorded video interviews, have helped some businesses and hiring managers streamline this process, and learn about candidates before in-person interviewing. Finding the right questions and using them strategically can help you screen for the right person, and use your time and attention to choose the right person from a qualified field.

One-Way Video Interviewing Tips

One-way video interviews can be an effective way to find the right person for the job, or help you narrow down the field. However, it’s important to keep in mind what you’re looking for, why, and how to get this information. It’s also important to remember that pre-screening using asynchronous interviews can have some pitfalls as well, like worsening biases or putting up technology roadblocks. With a streamlined pre-recorded video process and clear guidelines for fighting biases in hiring, one-way video interviewing can help you save time, and screen for top talent. Keep these tips in mind to get the most out of one-way video interviewing and find the right questions to ask.

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Consider the Steps in the Process

Your interview process likely includes several different steps with different stakeholders involved in each step. At what stage are you using one-way interviews? If you are using one-way video interviews early on to screen applicants, you’ll want to use fewer questions. However, if you are further along in the process, you might use more questions, and make them more targeted, to screen for top talent at the right time.

Make it Easy

No matter what step in the process you’re at, your video recording process should not be a barrier to your applicants. Make sure your video gathering process is easy, straightforward, and doesn’t require downloading extra software or technology. Ideally, your applicants should be able to record their videos with their smartphone. Otherwise, you might be screening out ideal applicants simply by frustrating them.

Make it Valuable

Many job-hunters have voiced concerns about the value of one-way video interviewing. Some find it discouraging to record a video and answer questions, without being able to ask their own questions of their interviewer. Some applicants may find one-way interviews to be a red flag, signifying that a business does not want to spend time to engage with their applicants, or does not value their employees. This can discourage high-quality potential candidates to apply.

One-way interviewing does not have to drive potential candidates away. Asynchronous interviewing should be used to save time and energy for both applicants and interviewers. Consider how you might use one-way interviews to eliminate other steps in the interviewing process that are less helpful. Or, you might give your applicants a choice; for example, you might allow applicants to write an essay in response to the prompt, instead of creating a video. When requesting one-way interviews, tell your applicants why you are using this process, and what steps you have eliminated, so they don’t feel taken advantage of.

Prioritize Specific Information

Consider what information is most valuable to you and why. Are you screening applicants based on their skills, personality, previous experience, or something else? What information would help to show which applicants are best for the position? Why do you think so? Gathering a lot of information, especially early on in an interview process, can make it more difficult to compare applicants. Asking targeted questions to acquire specific information can be more helpful.

With these tips in mind, let’s take a look at a few one-way video interview questions to screen for top talent.

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One-Way Video Interview Questions To Screen for Top Talent

Personality Interview Questions

For some jobs, you might be looking for particular personality traits. For example, maybe you’re looking for someone who will work consistently on a team. Or, maybe you’re looking for someone who works better by themselves. Maybe you want to prioritize someone who is social and outgoing. Or, maybe a quiet and studious person is a better fit.

Consider what personality attributes you’re looking for and why. Consider these one-way video interview questions to screen for the right talent. Or, consider how you might customize these questions to fit what you’re looking for.

1. How often would you prefer to work on a team, and how often would you prefer to work independently?

2. Would you consider yourself an introverted or extroverted person? Why do you think so?

3. How do you respond to and integrate criticism or critiques into your work?

4. How do you assert yourself or voice your opinions in your workplace?

5. If you meet with friction or have a disagreement with someone, how do you handle it?

6. If you feel stuck or aren’t sure how to move forward on a project, how would you respond?

7. Would you consider yourself a creative or analytical thinker? Why do you think so?

8. What strengths do you bring to this position?

9. What weaknesses are you aware of, and how do you overcome them?

10. What interests you most about this field?

Experience Interview Questions

Past experience can show you a lot about each candidate, and how well they might fit into the new job. You might have a certain amount or type of experience already in mind for the right candidate. Or, you might be open to candidates with varying levels and types of experience. Some of these one-way video interview questions can help you screen for talent based on experience.

11. What was the most valuable skill you learned at your last job?

12. How long did you work at your last job, and how did it help you advance in your career?

13. Describe a typical day at your previous job.

14. Describe the software or hardware you learned how to use at your last job.

15. How long have you worked in the field, and what positions have you held?

16. How has your career advanced over the last five years?

17. What changes have you made to stay current in your field?

18. When you entered the field, what position did you start in? And how did you get to where you are now?

19. What skills do you have that would help you in this position?

20. How did you prioritize your tasks or manage your time at your previous job?

Passion Interview Questions

Sometimes, it can be helpful to screen for candidates who show particular passion or interest in their field or towards the job. Those who are passionate about their work are likely to accomplish more and provide better results. They’re also more likely to stay with your company, as long as the work environment is positive. Here are a few one-way video interview questions that might help you screen for passionate candidates. Consider customizing these questions by filling in “this position” or “your field” with applicable words or phrases.

21. What interests you about this position?

22. What is or was your favorite part of your current or past job?

23. What do you like most about your field?

24. Describe a challenge you overcame in your field, and how you felt after you solved it.

25. What goals would you like to accomplish, or what problems would you like to solve in your field?

26. In what ways is your work important to you or to others?

27. What do you enjoy about your job?

28. What would you most like to accomplish in your career?

29. What excites you about your field of work?

30. What motivates you to succeed in your work?

Special Skills Interview Questions

Particular skills sets or familiarity with certain tools may be an especially important part of the open position you’re hiring for. The right questions can help you find who in your talent pool has the most expertise. You’ll need to customize these questions to suit the skills, talent, or experience that you’re looking for.

31. What experience do you have with X software?

32. Explain a project you completed using X skill.

33. How long have you worked with X machine?

34. How would you use X software to solve the following problem [provide a relevant story problem]?

35. How have you used X skill in your previous job?

36. How do you stay current with changes and updates to X software?

37. How did you learn how to use X machine?

38. What is something you struggle with when you’re using X machine?

39. What is your favorite feature of X software?

40. Have you used software similar to X software? If so, which?

These one-way video interview questions can help you screen for top talent. When using one-way video interviewing, remember to make it meaningful for your applicants, and show that you value their time and participation. If you’re collecting videos as a part of your interview process, use Boast to make this process simple and easy. Start a free trial today to get started.

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