What do you do when many candidates ace every test, check every box, and breeze through interviews, only for their performance to falter after hiring?

Since shifting to digital hiring and virtual assessments, ensuring secure and authentic assessments has become a top priority for companies.

And as you may have guessed from the title, this is where video proctoring steps in as the unsung hero of secure, authentic assessments.

With the rise of pre-recorded video interviews in recruitment, it’s no wonder the global online proctoring market is expected to reach $5.43 billion by 2027.

This tech isn’t just a trend – it’s here to stay, and it’s only getting bigger by the day.

What is video proctoring?

Video proctoring is an online system that acts like a virtual invigilator to keep a close eye on behavior and activities exhibited during a video interview, to ensure candidates remain honest and focused. 

Video proctoring can identify actions like looking away from the screen, switching between different browser tabs, using ChatGPT to quickly get the answers, or even swapping places with someone else. 

This gives recruiters peace of mind, knowing that the candidates’ results truly reflect their abilities.

How does video proctoring work?

Video proctoring combines live streaming, recording, and AI to observe a candidate’s behavior in real-time.

Online video proctoring helps recruiters keep a watchful eye throughout online and video assessment and flags any suspicious behavior. 

Suspicious behavior can include things like multiple people on screen, switching tabs, unusual movements, copy-pasting code, or attempts to access unauthorized resources.

Video proctoring not only records but also analyzes behaviors. 

For example, prolonged eye movements away from the screen or vocal noises can trigger alerts, which recruiters can review to assess any suspicious activity.

In short, video proctoring helps ensure a secure, fair testing environment by blending AI with human oversight.

When do you need video proctoring?

Not every assessment calls for video proctoring. 

But there are ideal scenarios to use video proctoring, where it offers benefits like increased security, consistency, and peace of mind in hiring.

High-stakes roles that demand specialized skills

Video proctoring really shines for high-stakes roles where specific skills or technical expertise are critical. 

When responsibilities are high and attention to detail is a must, video proctoring helps create a secure, controlled interview environment to ensure that candidates truly have what it takes.

Hiring across borders

For companies hiring from different regions, video proctoring can be a boon. 

It offers a consistent, standardized assessment experience for all candidates, leveling the playing field no matter where they’re located. 

Plus, it also breaks language barriers and makes way for multilingual hiring.

This fairness and accessibility is a huge plus for global organizations looking to build a diverse team without any regional or other types of hiring bias.

Remote and virtual hiring

If you’re hiring for remote roles or across multiple locations without a central office, video proctoring is an essential security layer. 

It keeps the assessment process fair and secure, no matter where your candidates (or team members) are based, providing confidence in virtual hiring environments.

Quick hires for temporary and contract roles

Video proctoring is ideal for filling temporary or contract roles that require quick, efficient hiring. 

These roles often need a fast turnaround, and video proctoring allows for secure, swift screenings to meet project deadlines without compromising on quality.

Scaling up for mass hiring campaigns

For mass hiring campaigns, where you’re screening a large number of applicants for the same role, video proctoring in interviews allows you to scale up smoothly. 

It ensures you can assess a high volume of candidates quickly and securely, making it easier to manage large talent pools without sacrificing thoroughness.

Double-checking skills before onboarding

For some roles, it’s important to confirm that candidates are ready to hit the ground running. 

Video proctoring makes pre-onboarding skill validation a breeze, letting you double-check critical skills and giving you peace of mind that your new hires will be ready from day one.

Main types of video proctoring

There are 4 main types of video proctoring options, each catering to different needs and budgets. 

Live proctoring – A human proctor monitors candidates in real-time, allowing for immediate intervention if any suspicious activity arises. It’s ideal for high-stakes assessments, though it can be resource-intensive.

Recorded proctoring – Here, the session is recorded and later reviewed by either AI or human proctors. It’s less resource-heavy than live proctoring, though immediate action can’t be taken in case of misconduct.

Automated proctoring – AI handles the entire process, flagging any suspicious behavior without human oversight. While cost-effective, automated proctoring may sometimes misinterpret actions, so it works best for low to medium-stakes assessments.

Blended proctoring -This hybrid model combines live human proctors with AI monitoring. It’s a good balance between cost, security, and efficiency, especially in large-scale hiring processes.

What are candidates’ common concerns about video proctoring?

For many candidates, video proctoring can feel like a digital watchdog, so it’s natural for concerns to arise. 

Privacy concerns

Many candidates are wary about video proctoring because of privacy concerns, particularly regarding the storage and use of their personal data. 

Candidates often worry that their data may be shared externally or used for purposes beyond the assessment.

What you can do is to address these concerns upfront by explaining your data protection policies, assuring candidates that all data is securely stored and used solely for maintaining assessment integrity. 

Emphasize that no data will be shared externally, providing transparency and security reassurance.

Anxiety over AI errors

Another common concern is the possibility of being flagged by AI for minor actions, like briefly looking away, moving unexpectedly, or accidentally switching tabs due to habit, which can make candidates feel uneasy. 

The fear of AI misinterpreting harmless behavior as suspicious can add stress during assessments.

Reassure candidates that flagged behaviors are always reviewed by human proctors who assess the context to make fair judgments. 

This human review process ensures that minor distractions don’t unfairly impact the assessment outcome.

Technical issues

Technical issues, such as connectivity problems, hardware glitches, or software compatibility, can cause interruptions, adding to candidates’ stress and affecting their performance.

The solution is to provide candidates with guidelines on the technical requirements and setup needed before the assessment, including internet connectivity and compatible devices. 

Offering a support line for technical assistance during the assessment can also help candidates feel supported in case issues arise.

Intimidation due to unfamiliarity with the process

For candidates new to video proctoring, the process can feel intimidating, especially if they’re unsure what to expect. 

This unfamiliarity can lead to anxiety and impact their performance.
So, explain the proctoring process in simple terms, offering a short overview of what candidates should expect. 

Providing them with a practice session or demo can also help them feel more comfortable and prepared for the actual assessment.

All in all, assuring candidates about data privacy and explaining the proctoring process can go a long way in easing their minds and helping them perform their best.

Video proctoring doesn’t just protect the process – it enhances it!

As hiring goes more digital and remote, we’re all looking for ways to make the process as fair and secure as it is in-person.

And ZappyVue makes it effortless with its built-in online video proctoring feature – an unbiased eye ensuring assessments stay honest and accurate, helping us truly understand each candidate’s potential!