When it comes to wooing executive dynamos, a simple phone interview won’t do. Many recruiters insist on the importance of a face-to-face meeting, even if it means candidates must fly cross-country to shake hands. But as budgets shrink and competition heats up, the pressure is on to fill positions without wasting precious time, money and resources on business travel.
As a result, more recruiters are turning to videoconferencing to get their “face time,” save money and help the environment. The videoconference business at The Regus Group, a global workplace solutions provider, has grown nearly 30 percent annually in recent years due in part to increased demand from executive recruiters seeking a more efficient, cost-effective way to do business. The cost of videoconferencing equipment has gradually decreased since its introduction more than a decade ago, enabling some companies to save millions in travel expenses and significant time by outfitting their own on-site videoconference rooms.
Whether the talent manager considers booking a studio by the hour or installing videoconference equipment in the office, there are five reasons to consider hosting interviews on-screen.
The bottom line: American Express estimates the average domestic business trip in 2009 will cost $1,002, including transportation and lodging. That easily could be five times the cost of a typical one-hour videoconference. Nixing just a few trips could provide enough savings to outfit an on-site videoconference studio.
Convenient comfort: Candidates don’t need video equipment to connect on their end. Just direct them to the nearest videoconferencing provider. “Today, videoconference studios are available in metropolitan and suburban areas throughout the country, as well as worldwide, so it’s easy to find a private and comfortable environment from which to host a videoconference session,” said Guillermo Rotman, CEO of The Regus Group Americas. With on-site staff to initiate the conference and business services such as copying, faxing and catering, employment candidates can enjoy a professional and hassle-free interview experience.
Go nowhere, be everywhere: Travel is expensive, and it wastes times, especially when unavoidable travel delays throw a meeting schedule offtrack. Videoconferencing allows the talent manager to interview candidates at any location at any time. Some videoconference studios are available 24x7, so a candidate’s schedule or time zone need not interfere with a meeting. Further, the ability to conduct more face-to-face interviews quickly can help identify the right candidates sooner.
Interview quality: Videoconferencing technology has improved dramatically over the years. Better equipment and faster connectivity enable natural interactivity, a free-flowing picture and high-quality sound similar to watching TV.
Go green: The environmental impact of travel is of concern to many companies and candidates, and driving and flying are major greenhouse gas contributors. According to the carbon calculator at the environmental Web site Begreennow.com, one person taking a round-trip flight between Los Angeles and New York is responsible for contributing 1.76 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere. However, the carbon footprint of a videoconference is next to nothing.
Traditional, in-person meetings still have their place, but the reach and capabilities of videoconference technology can help companies more efficiently recruit the best talent.
As a result, more recruiters are turning to videoconferencing to get their “face time,” save money and help the environment. The videoconference business at The Regus Group, a global workplace solutions provider, has grown nearly 30 percent annually in recent years due in part to increased demand from executive recruiters seeking a more efficient, cost-effective way to do business. The cost of videoconferencing equipment has gradually decreased since its introduction more than a decade ago, enabling some companies to save millions in travel expenses and significant time by outfitting their own on-site videoconference rooms.
Whether the talent manager considers booking a studio by the hour or installing videoconference equipment in the office, there are five reasons to consider hosting interviews on-screen.
The bottom line: American Express estimates the average domestic business trip in 2009 will cost $1,002, including transportation and lodging. That easily could be five times the cost of a typical one-hour videoconference. Nixing just a few trips could provide enough savings to outfit an on-site videoconference studio.
Convenient comfort: Candidates don’t need video equipment to connect on their end. Just direct them to the nearest videoconferencing provider. “Today, videoconference studios are available in metropolitan and suburban areas throughout the country, as well as worldwide, so it’s easy to find a private and comfortable environment from which to host a videoconference session,” said Guillermo Rotman, CEO of The Regus Group Americas. With on-site staff to initiate the conference and business services such as copying, faxing and catering, employment candidates can enjoy a professional and hassle-free interview experience.
Go nowhere, be everywhere: Travel is expensive, and it wastes times, especially when unavoidable travel delays throw a meeting schedule offtrack. Videoconferencing allows the talent manager to interview candidates at any location at any time. Some videoconference studios are available 24x7, so a candidate’s schedule or time zone need not interfere with a meeting. Further, the ability to conduct more face-to-face interviews quickly can help identify the right candidates sooner.
Interview quality: Videoconferencing technology has improved dramatically over the years. Better equipment and faster connectivity enable natural interactivity, a free-flowing picture and high-quality sound similar to watching TV.
Go green: The environmental impact of travel is of concern to many companies and candidates, and driving and flying are major greenhouse gas contributors. According to the carbon calculator at the environmental Web site Begreennow.com, one person taking a round-trip flight between Los Angeles and New York is responsible for contributing 1.76 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere. However, the carbon footprint of a videoconference is next to nothing.
Traditional, in-person meetings still have their place, but the reach and capabilities of videoconference technology can help companies more efficiently recruit the best talent.
