How to use Salesforce for video interviewing

Many companies that use Salesforce as an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) want to integrate video interviewing into their recruitment processes to streamline workflows and centralise data. Here, we’ll explore the most effective ways to conduct and store video interviews using Salesforce, as well as key features to look for in a video interviewing solution.

There are a few ways to manage video interviews alongside Salesforce.

Manual uploads from video platforms

You could use video conferencing tools like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet, record the interview, and manually upload the recording into Salesforce. However, this is time-consuming, and for busy recruiters, managing files and transcripts outside of Salesforce can be cumbersome.

Specialized video interview solutions

Dedicated video interviewing platforms provide enhanced features designed specifically for recruiting. Below are two examples:

Metaview: Known for video interviewing and integrations, Metaview is compatible with many ATS systems, although it currently doesn’t integrate with Salesforce or offer one-way interviews. However, it enhances interview efficiency by joining platforms like Zoom, Meet and Teams to record, transcribe, and summarize interview conversations.

Spark Hire: This platform allows live interviews and one-way interviews (where candidates record answers to set questions within a time limit). Unlike Metaview, SparkHire runs interviews on its own platform and does not require integration with Zoom, Teams, or Meet.

But neither of the above actually stores the interview output or any text summaries in Salesforce. And since our focus for this blog is on integrating video interviews directly with Salesforce, let’s examine why it makes sense to choose a solution that is ideally native to Salesforce, or at least easily integrates with it.

In a previous blog, we discussed why companies use Salesforce as their ATS. One key reason is that Salesforce creates a single source of truth for all your client and candidate data, minimizing complex integrations and data silos.

It follows then that using a video interviewing solution that’s native in Salesforce extends this advantage by consolidating all interview data within the CRM system.

Choosing a video interviewing solution for Salesforce

To choose the ideal video interviewing solution for Salesforce, here are the essential features that will help your team work efficiently and stay organized.

1. Live Video Interviewing

Well, it seems an obvious statement to make for a video interviewing solution, but we’re specifically talking about live interviews in this point. (We’ll come on to another type of video interview shortly.)

Live video interviews are often used in the early stages of recruiting. Any video interviewing solution should support live interviews, ideally via popular conferencing platforms (Zoom, Teams, Meet) that are familiar to both candidates and recruiters.

Beyond this, the solution should capture, transcribe, and summarise each interview, with all data automatically saved to candidate and client records in Salesforce. This way, Salesforce remains your single source of truth for all recruiting interactions.

2. One-way (asynchronous) video interviewing

One-way interviews are short, recorded sessions where candidates answer set questions on their own schedule. They allow recruiters to efficiently screen high volumes of candidates in less time.

An ideal video solution should support one-way interviews on both desktop and mobile, allowing candidates to record responses flexibly. Additionally, candidates should be able to practice and review their responses before submitting, ensuring they feel confident and prepared.

3. Easy information sharing

If interviews stored in Salesforce need to be shared with external stakeholders, look for a solution that enables easy sharing outside of the Salesforce Org. This feature allows recruiters to collaborate with hiring managers or other decision-makers who may not be Salesforce users in the recruitment business’ Org. Ideally, the solution should also allow stakeholders to provide feedback directly from the sharing page and capturing that in Salesforce so all responses are in one place.

4. Automation and productivity boosters

Automation is crucial for enhancing productivity and accuracy. A strong video interview solution should automate data capture from interviews, including transcripts, summaries, and next steps, and save it in Salesforce. This not only frees up recruiters from time-consuming data entry, but also improves visibility across recruiting and sales activities.

5. Interview coaching and feedback

Consider whether the video solution includes coaching for recruiters post-interview. A focus on continuous improvement can provide insights and tips to enhance interview techniques, which is valuable for both recruitment and sales teams, and ultimately the candidates and clients too.

6. Data security

Security is a top priority, especially with sensitive video interview data. When using a Salesforce-native app, you can trust that transcripts, summaries, and notes are stored securely within your Salesforce instance, avoiding isolated data silos.

Of course storing large video files within Salesforce isn’t feasible from a cost perspective, but secure connections to external storage options like AWS help solve this, with the video playable from within Salesforce but stored securely outside of it. Ideally, you’d have the option to connect your own AWS instance to maintain control over data storage and security.

Our TalentV solution is the only fully native Salesforce video interviewing application available on the AppExchange. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with Salesforce and other popular ATS tools built on Salesforce, such as Bullhorn, TargetRecruit, Asymbl, CTC People and Seven20. TalentV offers both live and one-way interviewing options, automated data capture and easy sharing features, all within Salesforce.

If you’re already using Salesforce for recruitment, or using an ATS built on Salesforce, TalentV could be the ideal add-on to simplify video interviewing and keep all your candidate data in one place.