Video interviewing: A potential selection tool for hospitality managers – A study to understand applicant perspective

Video interviews are increasing in popularity and are considered an efficient and effective selection tool. As companies start implementing this selection tool, it is important to understand interviewee perceptions of video interviewing and its impact on the overall effectiveness of the selection process. This study explores the pros and cons of video interviewing from the perspectives of 151 hospitality management students from the Southern United States that are currently seeking career placement upon graduation. Participants were asked to go through an online video interview, following which they completed a survey questionnaire. Qualitative findings indicated that some factors that lead to favorableness of video interviewing were comfort, convenience, and saving on resources (money and time), while some factors that resulted in unfavorableness were its impersonal nature, lack of feedback, and technological glitches. Quantitative findings indicated that the overall favorability of video interviewing was low but fairness was high. Based on the findings, recommendations were provided to improve the effectiveness and acceptance of this selection tool.