Overview
In our asynchronous audio interview platform, we've implemented a feature called "preparation time." This 2-minute interval occurs between when a candidate views a question and when their response recording begins. This document explains the rationale behind this feature and its benefits for your hiring process.
How It Works
The candidate clicks to view the next interview question.
A 2-minute countdown timer starts immediately.
When the timer reaches zero, the audio recording begins automatically.
This process repeats for each question in the interview.
Rationale
The 2-minute preparation time serves several important purposes:
Balancing Spontaneity and Preparation: It provides a middle ground between completely unprepared responses and overly rehearsed answers.
Equity: It ensures all candidates have the same opportunity to gather their thoughts, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Reduced Anxiety: A brief preparation period can help candidates perform closer to their true potential by alleviating some interview stress.
Quality of Responses: Allowing candidates a moment to collect their thoughts often results in more structured, relevant answers.
Benefits for Employers
Better Assessment: You're more likely to see candidates' genuine capabilities rather than their ability to handle interview stress.
Diverse Talent Pool: This format can be more accommodating to candidates who might struggle in traditional interviews, such as those with anxiety or non-native speakers.
Consistency: Every candidate gets the same experience, making comparisons between candidates more meaningful.
Efficiency: While candidates have prep time, the overall process is still more time-efficient than scheduling and conducting live interviews.
Addressing Potential Concerns
Concern: Does this give candidates an unfair advantage?
Response: The 2-minute time frame is brief enough to maintain the "think on your feet" element crucial for many roles. It levels the playing field rather than providing an unfair advantage.
Concern: Will this lead to rehearsed, inauthentic responses?
Response: The time limit is too short for extensive rehearsal. It allows for organized thoughts but still requires spontaneous articulation.
Conclusion
The 2-minute preparation time in our asynchronous audio interviews strikes a balance between creating an equitable, lower-stress environment for candidates and maintaining the ability to assess their genuine skills and thought processes. This feature supports a more inclusive hiring process while still providing valuable insights into each candidate's capabilities.