Computer assisted interviews are being used more and more by companies looking to reduce costs while increasing efficiency. These computer interviews are a great way for companies to further screen potential candidates before meeting with them one on one. For many the use of computer assisted interview poses several benefits as well as numerous disadvantages.
For the potential employee a computer assisted interview is often the first step in the interviewing process. Much like other screening processes these computerized interviews can be a way of determining if it is worth the company’s time to continue on with the candidate.
There are several different types of computer interviews. The most common kind involves a series of questions based on your background and past employment history. Other questions are usually true or false prompts but there are essay type questions requiring an elaborate answer. These essay styled questions are usually timed so it is important to answer them in a timely manner.
When you finish an interview the computer will analyze your results and compare those with a set of predefined criteria. If your interview results match those criteria your information will go on to the next phase of the interviewing process.
Other types of Computer Assisted Interviews are:
Scenario-based Interviews
The computer will present you with a series of real life scenarios that you may encounter should you be hired. You will then either answer the questions or solve the problem according to your abilities and available skill set.
Integrity Tests
These tests will simply measure your level of integrity and evaluate your set of ethics and morals and how they compare to the company’s ideologies. The questions are usually designed to have a sliding scale from Yes to No. While you should always be honest you should also avoid absolutes. Remember, everybody lies and no one is perfect. If you choose an answer that says ‘sometimes’ or ‘rarely’ that does not necessarily mean that you will be disqualified from the position just remember that you should always answer honestly.
Personality Tests
The personality test will gauge whether or not you may be a proper fit for the company. Based on a variety of questions the computer will evaluate whether or not you will fit in with the company. The way this works is that the computer is given a standardized set of answers. If your answers closely fit that standardized set then your application will be moved along to the next step.
These computer assisted interviews can be administered either onsite at the company or through the internet by signing into a special website.
The Benefits of Computer Interviews
For companies the benefits of using these computerized interviews are obvious. The company saves both time and money by allocating the first few initial screening processes to a computer. That way they can simply focus on those candidates that have passed the initial computerized interviews.
The computer will also be able to catch odd discrepancies that an interviewer may have otherwise missed. Many claim that using a computerized interview system is a way to weed out candidates that lack the proper personality traits.
The Disadvantages
The primary disadvantage is the removal of the human element. During a normal screening process the interviewer is able to communicate with the candidate in order to receive a better understanding of their motives and drives. By taking out that human element employers might be losing a crucial part of the screening process.
These computerized interviews are sure to gain in popularity despite the disadvantages that may be present. When you take a computer interview approach it as you would a human interviewer. Be professional and answer all the questions honestly and to the best of your abilities.
Adapted From The Everything Job Interview Book, 2nd Edition by Joy Darlington and Nancy Schuman, Copyright © 2008, 2001 by F W Media, Inc., published by Adams Media, a division of F W Media, Inc. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.