We’re in an ultra-personalized era. From social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to video platforms like YouTube and Skype, it’s never been easier for people to connect. No matter where you are in the world, you’re never more than a few keystrokes, a couple clicks, and a webcam away from speaking with someone face to face. Best of all, this technology isn’t just for friends looking to chat anymore. In fact, many organizations are using the power of digital technology to conduct video interviews with job candidates.

We’ll explore two types of video interviews and video interviewing in this post: one-way video interviews and live video interviews.

One-Way Video Interviews: Asynchronous

A one-way, or asynchronous, video interview is when an employer sends text-based interview questions to candidates who then record video answers and submit them back to the employer. It’s asynchronous because the interview participants act independently.

The employer creates the questions and watches the video responses on their own time, while the candidate answers the questions at their convenience. Candidates can record their responses via webcam, and with some services, one-way video interviews can even be performed through a mobile application.

Are One-Way Video Interviews For You?

The “I Hate Phone Screens” Recruiter
If you find yourself spending at least 30 minutes on a phone interview with a candidate you knew was wrong for the position within 90 seconds, then one-way video interviews are for you. With a one-way video interview, you can ask the same questions as you would on a phone screen. However, if you immediately recognize a candidate isn’t a perfect fit, you can simply move on. Just as important though, thanks to video, you can gain more insight because you see body language and important non-verbal cues.

The “Need Friendly People” Recruiter
Are you hiring for a customer facing position? Do you need individuals with bubbly personalities and a lot of energy? Recruiters trying to fill retail, customer service, and other customer facing positions are most likely facing a long list of candidates with similar work experiences. Utilizing one-way video interviews, recruiters can quickly weed out candidates and narrow down their pool. One-way video interviews make it easy for you to evaluate personality and charisma earlier in the process, which helps you make smarter decisions on which candidates you pursue.

The “I’m Employed” Job Seeker
Video interviews aren’t just great for employers; they also have many advantages for your job seekers. For the passive job seeker, one-way video interviews enable a candidate to participate in an interview on their own time. No more sneaking away at lunch or awkward phone interviews from the car. With one-way video interviews, passive job seekers can interview at night, on the weekend, or anytime they’re free.

Two Way Live Video Interviews and Skype

A live video interview is the second type of video interview in which an employer and candidate connect face to face via webcam. The difference between a live video interview and a standard video chat on a service such as Skype is that live video interviewing services often offer some branding and recording capabilities. Live video interviews also occur on the cloud, meaning the interviews occur right in your web browser.

Are Live Video Interviews For You?

The “Very Important People” Recruiter
Looking to fill an executive position? If so, then you’re most likely not limiting your search to your geographical location. Recruiters often conduct nationwide, or sometimes international, executive searches. Let’s be honest, as amazing as it would be, the best talent isn’t in your backyard. As a result, many companies pay for travel, meals, lodging, and more for candidates who fly in from out of town for an in-person interview.

Live video interviews aren’t meant to replace these in-person interviews, but instead serve as a tool for making better decisions on which candidates to invest time and money towards. Connect face to face with your top candidates before you fly them in. If the live video interview doesn’t go well, you move on to the next candidate and save yourself a few thousand dollars.

The “Animal House” Recruiter
College students are in a tough spot. Between classes, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, it’s difficult for students to interview for jobs and internships. Not to mention the fact that many students study at campuses that are hundreds or thousands of miles from where they intend to work. On top of all of this, why would an organization invest a lot of money into hiring for entry-level positions? Why spend thousands of dollars to fly in candidates for an internship? Live video interviews help alleviate the time and budget headaches involved with campus recruiting. Interview students in their dorm rooms in California from your office in New York!

The “Wandering” Job Seeker
Just like companies don’t restrict their search for talent to local candidates, job seekers don’t limit themselves to job opportunities in their hometown. Job seekers who are willing to relocate for the right job can interview for positions around the world without leaving their home with live video interviews. And since we touched on campus recruiting, just imagine college students studying abroad who can now participate in live video interviews for jobs back home.

The scenarios mentioned are just some of the ways video interviews are streamlining the process for both employers and job seekers. Ultimately, video interviews are helping employers make smarter decisions about which candidates to advance further along in the hiring process. For job seekers, video interviews offer a huge convenience factor.  The type of interview questions during whether a video interview or an in-person interview don’t differ.

As an employer, understanding the different video interviewing solutions available will help you effectively use video interviews in your hiring process. Whether you’re recruiting from afar or trying to cut down on the time you spend talking to the wrong candidates, there’s a video interviewing solution for you.

How can you use one-way or live video interviews in your hiring process? Do you prefer one over the other? Share in the comments!

Josh Tolan is the CEO of Spark Hire, a video-powered hiring network that connects job seekers and employers through video resumes and online interviews. Connect with him and Spark Hire on Facebook and Twitter.