A job interview is stressful enough. The last thing a candidate needs is a 5-minute detour to download an app, create an account, and troubleshoot permissions before the conversation even starts.
For interviewers, the tool you choose sends a signal. Asking a candidate to jump through hoops for a 30-minute screen says something about how your company handles processes. A clean link that just works says something better.
For Interviewers: Remove Every Barrier
The ideal interview experience for a candidate is: receive a link, click it, see the interviewer's face. Nothing else. No app store visit, no "create an account to continue" prompt, no meeting code to type manually.
Browser-based video calls deliver this. You generate a link, include it in the calendar invite or email, and the candidate joins by clicking it. They do not need to have any software pre-installed. Their browser handles everything.
This matters especially for:
- Early-stage screens. You are talking to 20 candidates this week. Asking each one to download your company's preferred app creates friction that slows down the pipeline
- Candidates on mobile. Someone checking their phone between meetings at their current job can join from their phone's browser without installing anything
- Technical interviews. If you need the candidate to share their screen for a coding exercise, screen sharing works natively in the browser. No plugins needed
For Candidates: Preparation Tips
Even with a simple tool, a few minutes of preparation makes a difference. For a complete checklist, see our video interview tips guide.
- Test your setup 10 minutes early. Open the link in your browser, check that your camera and microphone work, and verify your background looks professional
- Use a laptop if possible. A laptop camera is at eye level (or close to it). A phone held at arm's length creates an unflattering angle and unstable framing
- Close unnecessary tabs. Other tabs compete for your computer's resources. Close them before the interview to keep the video smooth
- Have a backup plan. If the link does not work (rare, but possible), be ready to suggest an alternative. "I can send you a new link" is better than 5 minutes of dead air
Why Neutral Ground Matters
When a company uses their own platform (Microsoft Teams, Webex, their custom tool), the candidate is on the company's turf. If something goes wrong technically, the candidate feels like it is their fault. A neutral, browser-based tool levels the playing field. Both sides are using the same simple interface.
This also avoids the problem of platform bias. A candidate who uses a Mac daily may struggle with a Windows-centric Teams setup. A no-sign-up video call does not care what ecosystem either person uses.
One-on-One Interview Format
Most interviews are one-on-one conversations. The tool should get out of the way and let the conversation happen. No lobby, no waiting room, no "the host will let you in shortly." Click the link, join the call, start talking.
For panel interviews with multiple interviewers, share the same link with everyone. They all join the same room. The candidate sees all interviewers at once.
For Recruiting Agencies
If you run multiple interviews daily across different candidates and clients, a link-based tool is the most efficient approach. Generate a new link for each interview. No recurring meeting to manage, no calendar conflicts. Each link is independent. For the broader context of using video for business purposes, see our dedicated guide. For a comprehensive overview of video interviews including tool comparisons, see our video interview page.