Why do some recruiters think its appropriate or normal to record interviews and assume the interviewee with be alright with this?

Anonymous

March 2,2023 at 7:08AM UTC

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Why do some recruiters think its appropriate or normal to record interviews and assume the interviewee with be alright with this?

I was thinking about this as I have experienced it twice so far and its always when it comes to virtual meetings.

What gives? What makes them think this behavior is alright? Its nerve-racking enough to do interviews so to have interviewers tack on the bold move of attempting to record the interviews ( which I obviously decline ) without prior consent makes me feel like Ive stepped into a madhouse.

Has anyone ever experienced this?

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Marlyse Merida BurlingameMarch 2,2023 at 12:04PM UTC
They should always ask if you are willing to be recorded and only proceed if you give permission. Recording screening interviews can cut down on the number of times you are interviewed for an opportunity. For example, my company is doing this as a pilot program so other recruiters and managers can watch the interview and determine if the person is a good fit for one of the positions they have available, rather than have the person set up for multiple interviews before getting to one of our client interviews. It’s meant as a tool to save time for everyone in the process, but if someone is against being recorded- you shouldn’t be forced to do it.
Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterMarch 2,2023 at 1:28PM UTC
Are these small companies?
Does the role specifically require you to be on screen (I'm thinking like those tax people who show up to help with TurboTax)?
Did they alert you PRIOR to the interview that it would be recorded and why?
Did they get your consent to recording? (Just like when you call customer service for a company and they say, "this call may be recorded for training and other purposes..."?)
I can't think of a reason this should happen and it shouldn't without your consent - I may do a dive into some of the laws related to this -- for all you know they're posting the videos internally to teach people to interview or they're using them on their own marketing to share what people are saying about them - still - not cool.
(And do you really want to work for a company like that?)
AnonymousMarch 2,2023 at 3:15PM UTC
Yes, it is a small company, the role was in tech and they did not notify me or request my consent whatsoever prior to, or at the beginning of the interview which had me appalled at the behavior.
haha! Yes the question you asked at the end of " and do you really want to work for a company like that?" was the same one I asked myself after I requested for the recording to stop before I put my camera on and guess what happened? They ended the interview at 4 minutes as a result. Shameful of them but I surely dodged a bad seed there
AnonymousMarch 2,2023 at 4:39PM UTC
Actually, if you live in certain states, they do not have to divulge that they are recording you. It's referred to as a 'Single Party Consent' state. The law states that they themselves consent to recording so they do not have to get your approval. Eleven states require the consent of every party to a phone call or conversation in order to make the recording lawful. The "two-party consent" laws have been adopted in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington only.
AnonymousMarch 2,2023 at 7:34PM UTC
Ah yes! I always forget this however if the person is recording the person that is in their private residence then they do need to divulge and request consent and all my virtual interviews are held inside my home....right?
AnonymousMarch 2,2023 at 9:12PM UTC
The federal law 18 U.S. Code § 2511, which primarily revolves around wiretapping, requires the consent of only one person in the conversation for a recording to be legal. This is known as one-party consent. That includes if you are in your home.
AnonymousMarch 4,2023 at 4:47PM UTC
wow I have been a recruiter for over 30 years and never heayof such a thing! Too lazy to take notes IDK
Lets get back to basics and conduct ourselves professionally when valuing candidates.
What changed in this world was not for the better
AnonymousMarch 6,2023 at 6:53PM UTC
Firstly in defense of recruiters they are not the decision maker in most situations about the protocol for recording or for the stages and steps in an interview process. Those decisions are usually made by higher level leadership in HR or legal. In many states it is illegal for you to be recorded without your permission. Check your jurisdiction for that and ask before you agree to interview what the steps for the interview process will be in terms of recording, homework assignments and other pieces. Be sure to also ask the timeline for how long the process will be and if the role is new, a replacement for someone who left or someone who was terminated. You will then have all the tools to get safely and easily through the process once you know what it is. If you find that the want to record you and you choose not to that may be dodging the bullet for how the company communicates internally. Good luck in your search.