To think 'interviews' where you have to send in a video are ageist

[rockettomarsbar]

I'm not talking about zoom/teams interviews but the applications where you have to send in a video of yourself or answer questions into a video on your phone. If optional, then that can be a good addition for ND people. But if compulsory, it feels ageist because of how used to videoing themselves/taking selfies/snapchat etc some age groups are compared to others.

Well, I'm past retirement age so not likely to be interviewing for any more jobs but I am quite capable of making videos of myself. I have made videos explaining how to do all sorts of technical tasks and even of myself cycling down a hill while singing a song! That was for inclusion in a musical project devised, written, rehearsed, recorded and created in lockdown. I was heavily involved in the technical side and we won an award! So, just because we are older does not mean we are incapable.

My biggest technological issue would be a stand to hold my phonec while taking a video.

That said, I'd be rejecting an interview if that was the first stage. Sounds horrific - and, yes, I most definitely can handle spreadsheets and databases.

Isn't it a slight possibility that by doing this, the employer is able to then decide not to interview anybody who is visibly older - or who is black/brown/dual heritage/has a different accent, not presenting as their birth sex, has a visible disability or facial/limb difference - and all from 'just' asking for a video?

A video prerequisite enables them to discriminate against multiple Protected Characteristics without ever putting anything on paper that would evidence breaking of Employment and Equalities Law.

I also find them ablist, speaking as someone with a speech disorder who failed a multi-part virtual interview at the compulsory video stage.

Going on my experience as a person with disabilities, I wouldn't be surprised if they were designed to weed out all the undesirable groups...

Exactly!

They should be conducting adverse impact analysis on all selection methods. But should and do are very different.

I would disagree with you here.

I am only 60 but I would not bother to apply if this was part of the recruitment process. Also, speaking as someone who is currently considering a move, I am very much aware of current hiring practices having been through a few rounds of interviews with different companies.

Having an interview via Teams is perfectly normal, recording a video response to a set of questions is not. At least, at my level and the field that I work in

"If they can't manage a simple video, then could they manage a spreadsheet, a database?"

I don't follow where the connection is? I've done rather more than that over the last almost forty years and now manage teams of people who do rather more than that. That doesn't stop me from thinking that companies that use recruitment techniques like this are companies that I probably wouldn't want to work for anyway.

[Edited for typo]

I would hate that

I’m 54, I wouldn’t know how to do this or even what it would be used for, and I think I would simply not apply because it sounds like something that could easily be used against you.

I'm not saying for a minute that people wouldn't be able to operate the video and can see why you think that is ageist of me but that's not what I meant. I meant that just talking into a video one sided is something which generally a certain age group might do regularly and look far more comfortable and relaxed and at home doing than others.
Also this
A video prerequisite enables them to discriminate against multiple Protected Characteristics without ever putting anything on paper that would evidence breaking of Employment and Equalities Law.

I do agree that's a real risk.
I have done video 'interviews' -not really interviews because they're one sided- and felt incredibly awkward and self conscious in a way my dcs would not be.

If an organisation is using that kind of software then you wouldn't want to work for them! I've led processes with video applications - I watch them all and then someone else in the team watches them all to ensure we have two brains and two opinions on it. I wouldn't dream of using software.

Not only did you say it in your OP you have literally just repeated it! You're still claiming young people are better at it than older people. Such an awful and misguided attitude.

How is it an 'awful attitude' It is my opinion based on experience.

I would hate the fuck out of this.
Interviews are two way. You are also interviewing your employer to see if they are a good fit for you.

I agree XenoBitch
Also, you have no idea of how many people are watching it or who they are

It's not an interview, it's part of an application usually alongside a CV. The interview is a separate part of the process.

I'm not defending their use. I think it's a really fake situation, you dont really learn anything and you're putting unnecessary angst on to candidates. But, it's not discrimination.

This!

Also, the making of the video is part of the interview. If someone was incapable of making a video then they probably wouldn’t be able to perform the role!

I wouldn't find it exclusionary or ageist, but I would make me wonder whether to bother and if they just want someone good looking. Given I'd be applying for a role which turns on my skills and experience in over 20 years as a lawyer, not what I look and sound like on TikTok. And if you liked my CV and covering letter you can see what I look like and how I come across in an interview. And I can see if I want to work with you.

But if an employer is going to do this, they'll make that decision at interview stage anyway? Nobody who's rejecting someone due to discrimination is going to say that's the reason, at any stage in the recruitment process, so I'm not sure seeing people's faces/hearing voices earlier would make much of a difference to this happening.

What jobs require you to make videos of yourself? I have worked for 30 years and never been asked to do this.

Maybe they feel if you can’t cope with that, you’re not suitable for the job?
You are the one making generalisations here. Ageist = you.

Lol because anyone older than a millennial is too old and hopeless to learn how to take a video of themselves?

Who's being atheist again?

I think it was quite obvious that I meant ‘tech savvy’ enough. If someone is incapable of knowing how to record a video it’s unlikely they could reliably operate computers or software etc. Of course, this could be for a manual job but I’ve never come across somebody requiring a video for a warehouse operative role etc.

Sales jobs often do, I applied for a few and all of them required a video prior to interview of you basically selling yourself for x minutes. It's not that unusual.

I know a lot of highly competent, highly paid people of varying ages who would not be comfortable making a video. People who do proper jobs designing, making and building the things you see around you, not corporate make work desk jockeys fannying about videoing themselves.