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“Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

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Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#71

Post by old-gregg »

pg wrote: post #58
old-gregg wrote: post #37

I don't know either this is good for employers/customers but one thing for sure: this makes me feel even more terrified of failure, of becoming a "candidate" again. This company is making the world even more hostile for people who need jobs for reasons stated here by others. Let me explain: my wife is looking for a job now. She's not an engineer so the progress has been slow: hundreds of resumes emailed, no response,…

In-person interviews have an even worse problem: if your wife is rejected after one of those, she has to worry not merely that she looks lame in a video, but seems lame in person. But you don't find the concept of interviews disgusting, presumably because it is already a familiar one. Which suggests that your real problem with this technology is its novelty.

But you don't find the concept of interviews disgusting, presumably because it is already a familiar one. Which suggests that your real problem with this technology is its novelty.

No, I'm not one of "those people" :-) My initial reaction was negative because filming yourself a hundred times is a torture. I failed to see what's in it for folks who are looking for jobs and are pretty miserable already.

Your argument is also flawed because you are comparing video clips to interviews like they're going to replace them which they won't.

One can make an argument that this approach will eliminate the need to apply to hundreds of jobs. That would be great, but how? The ratio of resumes/replies is determined not by technology but by applicants/position ratio.

I've exchanged a few emails with Nicolas and he feels confident that the product will make life easier for candidates as well, I really want him to be right/succeed. At least YC companies are using it right: they actually save time for an applicant.

Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#72

Post by notahacker »

orangecat wrote: post #52
ktsmith wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's also the exact opposite issue for some people. I don't really have a problem opening up or making a personal connection in person. I cringe hearing or seeing myself on video. I can't stand it, even if I'm seeing a video of my son and I playing which I love. A company requiring a video recording as part of the application process would be an instant pass for me since you wouldn't be getting me, you'd be gettin…

Ditto. This strikes me as great for extroverts and terrible for introverts.

you don't need to be introverted to find the idea of trying to convey your personality to an unknown, unseen interviewer a little awkward.

Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#73

Post by notahacker »

cglee wrote: post #62
rdl wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see the value for some jobs, but audio seems like it is just as good as video, much cheaper, less intrusive, and vastly more accessible.

This is almost a thing you have to see to believe. Video just gives you so much more resolution and insight. Social science studies have told us many times that 90% of communication is non-verbal - audio only captures that 10%. Of course, nothing beats face to face, but it also comes at a cost (time, money). We built Active Interview to help those who need to quickly process a large number of applicants at as high of…

Out of curiosity as much as anything else since you've quite possibly done the research, how much of that 90% of communication is reciprocal (body language towards interviewer, instinctive reaction to questions)?

Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#75

Post by jagjit »

The idea is scary at first. But really makes sense once you think about it. I agree, it makes the screening process more human.

I know the job market is not good right now for job seekers to be chosers, but if I have to apply with a video, I would feel more up to it if I see the hiring team's or manager's video too.

Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#76

Post by nicholasjbs »

shelly wrote: post #74

This is actually a terrific idea... for applicants who are good on camera. I instantly get deer-in-headlightsy and stiff when the camera starts rolling, so a potential employer wouldn't get an accurate read on me.

Can you think of anything that would help you relax so you could be your true self?

Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#77

Post by [deleted] »

edanm wrote: post #63
kabuks wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

imho we are past the point where that's the main way people will use this tool, but we're not past the point where it's not happening anymore. And we are clearly not past the point where people assume it will happen. Job boards are broken, and this is a good step in the right direction, and I wish them the best. I would caution though against not looking at the discrimination piece head on, and addressing it clearly.…

I also worried about this problem. But as Bruce Schneier often says, technology makes it easier for the bad guys to be bad; that doesn't mean the technology itself is bad.

[deleted]

Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#78

Post by lutorm »

kabuks wrote: post #49
pg wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you have very low expectations for humanity indeed if you think that will be the main way companies use something so useful.

imho we are past the point where that's the main way people will use this tool, but we're not past the point where it's not happening anymore. And we are clearly not past the point where people assume it will happen. Job boards are broken, and this is a good step in the right direction, and I wish them the best. I would caution though against not looking at the discrimination piece head on, and addressing it clearly.…

Well, if someone wants to discriminate, they can do so regardless. I think it's much more insidious how people unconsciously can disregard people based on first impression. It's sort of the case of "anchoring" -- if you form an initial impression, maybe just based on someone's clothes or mannerisms, it's likely to bias your final impression. (See lesswrong.com for many discussions about this.) Without the video, the first impression is more likely to be based on actual facts as opposed to personal judgment.

Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#79

Post by shelly »

nicholasjbs wrote: post #6
paraschopra wrote: post #2

Does anyone else find the prospect of video résumé a bit frightening? Some people (myself included) are simply not that comfortable in front of a camera.

One of our goals is to help people feel more comfortable recording short videos. We don't see HireHive has a "video resume" (i.e. something you agonize over carefully crafting long answers to) so much as a lightweight way to answer questions off-the-cuff. One of the challenges we face is to figure out how to set the tone so people can relax and be themselves. Is there anything that you think would help you feel more…

I would provide some pointers and a variety of example videos. Offer a few great videos, with some explanation of why each is good, and do the same with some less-than-spectacular specimens.

Also, things like lighting and sound can make a pretty big difference, so providing basic info on optimizing your setup might help.

I also like the idea of having each company do an intro video that sets the mood.

Good luck!

Re: “Good On Video” Is The New “Good On Paper” With HireHive (YC S10)

#80

Post by sabj »

"the higher bandwidth of video provides more information than text, which results in better informed hiring decisions"

Not sure about this. Generally, I'm uncomfortable with all the room for discrimination that something like video brings into play -- even if it isn't intentional.

See the case of orchestra auditions where female players did tremendously better when judged from behind a screen, gender being removed from the equation. Even if people feel unbiased about a lot of roles, they might still have them play out... ???

That, and I just think so many video things like this end up gimmicky. I can see it well applied, and also easily misused.

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