How to detect cheating in a video interview?

The most significant ongoing impact of Covid has been on job interviews. While many companies have reopened their offices, some still provide remote work opportunities. However, virtual job interviews remained the preferred mode of interview owing to their convenience. Virtual interviews are time-saving and convenient for both parties. However, some challenges, such as to detect cheating in video interview, needs to be addressed.

For example, I remember a case at my grad school; it was time for a career fair. And Amazon was interviewing a few candidates. Shockingly, Amazon disqualified the entire university and said they would not come back again for hiring on my campus. The reason was that they noticed some eyeball movements when the interview was going on virtually. So they immediately asked to share the screen, checked their Google history, and guessed what? They were cheating during the interview.

The careers department was shocked to hear this, which was detrimental to the reputation of the branch and the school. The way Amazon detected cheating during an interview. You can also catch that happening in your firm with the help of BarRaiser’s interview intelligence platform. This article presents an analysis pipeline for cheating during an interview. While there are many proctoring tools in the market, the best way is to do a human interview and then make the reader aware of evident signals that help HRs understand if the candidates are cheating.

Also Read: Interview Outsourcing: A Strategic Approach to Talent Acquisition

Cheating during an interview- How prevalent is cheating in recruitment exams?

According to an insightful analysis conducted by Codility, a reputable coding assignment provider, it has been determined that a significant 10% of individuals partaking in examinations across diverse industries have resorted to dishonest practices. This alarming statistic transcends borders as countries grappling with pronounced wealth disparities demonstrate even more pronounced instances of cheating. In some egregious cases, the audacity of the cheaters reaches such heights that they unabashedly distribute the answers amongst their fellow test takers within the confines of the examination room itself.

Teams need more productivity due to poor hiring, missed opportunities to hire better candidates, and, worst of all. This can be avoided by being more careful during the interview process. Also, the use of an Applicant Tracking System will be beneficial. Studies show that cheating in job interviews is quite common. For instance, a survey found that 7 out of 10 job seekers admitted to lying or cheating during the hiring process. This means many people are not being honest when applying for jobs, which can make it hard for companies to find the right employees.

So below are some common steps a hiring manager can take to avoid cheating during an interview. But these are not just enough; you should also take more measures.

Also read: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): What You Should Know

How to avoid cheating With technology in automated assessments?

As technology advances, more efficient solutions are being developed to protect the integrity of remotely administered reviews online. Consider the following technical options to detect cheating in video interview and prevent online test fraud:

1. Prepare random questions

Candidates who take online exams often have the same questions in the same order, making cheating easier. However, technology has solved this problem by allowing companies to ask questions randomly. As a result, candidates can no longer take employer tests and share their “master solution.”

2. Disable copy and paste options

Disabling the copy-and-paste feature is one of the strategies employers can use to prevent cheating in online exams. This restriction prevents candidates from copying and pasting data during the test.

Also Read: Unlocking Talent: Best Hiring Priorities To Consider In 2023

3. Add a time limit to your question

During online judging, especially video judging, you can set a time limit for answering questions. When timed questions are added, applicants need more time to search for answers or discuss with others.

4. Adopt a multi-step hiring process

Even if a candidate passes the screening assessment, the multi-stage selection process may prevent the candidate from being hired by your company. Structured interviews can catch some issues missed in the evaluation by taking the opportunity to validate some of the candidate’s responses from the application or assessment.

One of the easiest ways to detect cheating in video interview and evaluate candidates is through a good skill assessment platform like BarRaiser. BarRaiser’s Interview Intelligence Proctoring feature helps prevent online review fraud. BarRaiser’s anti-cheat techniques to ensure a smooth testing experience include:

1. Real-time image monitoring
2. Window lock by test completion
3. Randomize questions and answers
4. Audio monitoring
5. Video surveillance
6. IP ranges

Also Read: How To Identify And Cultivate Characteristics Of Agile Mindset In Your Workforce

Cheating during an interview- How are proctoring and human interviews helpful?

The following is a list of potential benefits from interviews:

1. Choosing the best applicants for the job 

Interviewing can improve the success of choosing the best candidate for the job. An interview allows you to see how a professional responds in pressure-filled circumstances like an interview. You can predict how someone will do at work by understanding how they react to these situations. Expand your knowledge of Recruitment Strategies for Finding Excellent Candidates that can help you source outstanding candidates for your organization. Gain insights on the best methods to attract and retain top talent.

2. Executing thorough assessments 

During interviews, the interviewer and the applicant can envision how they will complement one another’s lives and advance their careers. There is no risk of cheating when you ask random questions about candidates’ educational backgrounds and other things during an interview.

3. Getting to know you and the candidate well. 

A key objective of an interview is frequently thoroughly getting to know the candidate. You can learn about a professional’s advantages and disadvantages. Knowing their assets can help you decide how to use their skills within the organization best. The interviewee may also talk about areas they are trying to improve.

4. Differentiating similar candidates

You can separate comparable applicants during an interview based on candidates’ CVs and cover letters. Interviews with each similar candidate can be scheduled so you can get to know them and see how well they get along with the other employees.

Also Read: 12 Best Recruitment Strategies for Finding Excellent Candidates

Cheating during an interview- What interviewers can do to spot fakeness in video interviews

It can be tricky to detect cheating in a video interview, but there are several signs to watch for that can help interviewers spot inauthentic behavior. Here are some practical tips:

Watch Their Eye Movement

In a video interview, maintaining eye contact with the camera can be challenging for some, but consistent eye-darting off-screen can signal cheating. For example, if the candidate frequently glances to the side or below the camera, they might be consulting notes or receiving help from someone in the room. Subtle eye movement alone isn’t always a giveaway, but it’s worth noting, especially if it’s paired with other suspicious behavior.

Notice Their Use of a Headset

While using a headset to improve audio quality is common, candidates might also use it to listen to outside help while they answer questions. For example, a candidate might have someone feeding them answers on a call in one ear, while they respond to you through the other. A good rule of thumb: headsets aren’t necessarily suspicious by themselves, but unusual pauses or delayed responses combined with headset use might be cause for concern.

Ask Them to Share Their Screen

If something seems off, politely ask the candidate to share their screen. For instance, if they’re using a chat window or receiving prompts from a proxy, these will often be visible once they share their screen. Screen sharing is a quick way to make sure they aren’t engaging with anyone else or referencing unauthorized materials during the interview.

Request a View of Their Environment

Let the candidate know upfront that you might ask to see their environment through their webcam. This builds transparency and helps create a comfortable, honest space. For example, you could explain that, as a standard procedure, you may ask them to show their surroundings briefly to ensure privacy and focus. This step can help deter candidates from arranging hidden assistance and also reinforces a sense of trust.

Also Read: Revolutionize Your Hiring Process With AI-Driven Pre-Employment Assessments

Why Is It Important to Stop Cheating?

Preventing cheating ensures that the hiring process is fair and that the best candidates get the job. It also helps maintain the company’s reputation and ensures that new employees have the skills they claim to have. In conclusion, while virtual interviews are convenient, they come with challenges like cheating. By being aware of these issues and taking steps to prevent dishonest behavior, companies can make sure they hire the right people for the job.

Final Words

As test takers find clever ways to cheat in automated assessments. Employers must use online evaluations to detect cheating in video interview. No doubt automated assessments are great tools. However, they are prone to cheating. Human proctoring and intelligence make the process much more difficult for candidates to game the system. BarRaiser’s best video Interview platform combines human and machine intelligence to avoid fraud and employs AI-driven surveillance technology to promote fair talent selection.

People Also Ask For:

Why is it crucial to detect cheating in video interviews?

Detecting cheating in video interviews is crucial to maintaining a fair evaluation process. It ensures honesty, prevents poor hiring decisions, and safeguards the organization’s reputation.

What steps can be taken to detect cheating in video interviews?

Interviewers can observe candidates’ eye movements, check if they wear headsets to listen while answering, ask for screen sharing or show their environment, and employ other techniques to identify potential cheating. Barraiser’s AI-driven surveillance technology also aids in detecting fraudulent activities during video interviews.

How can technology aid to detect cheating in video interviews?

Technology offers several solutions, including preparing random questions, disabling copy-and-paste options, adding time limits to questions, and adopting a multi-step hiring process. Platforms like Barraiser leverage advanced features like real-time image monitoring, audio monitoring, and video surveillance to prevent online review fraud.

How to identify lip syncing in an interview?

Identifying lip syncing during an interview requires careful observation. Key signs include the candidate turning away from the camera or covering their mouth, which might indicate they’re trying to conceal mismatched lip movements. Additionally, if there’s a noticeable delay or misalignment between the audio and their lip movements, it could be a sign of lip syncing.

Does using ChatGPT count as cheating?

Yes, using ChatGPT or similar tools during an interview can be considered cheating. If a candidate uses AI to generate responses instead of providing their own answers, it undermines the authenticity of the interview process. This kind of behavior not only questions their integrity but could also lead to disqualification from the hiring process.

How can you tell if someone is lying in an interview?

Detecting lies in an interview involves paying close attention to the candidate’s body language and speech. If a candidate avoids eye contact, shifts their gaze frequently, or their speech patterns change—such as sudden pauses, a drop in tone, or speaking unusually fast or slow—these can be indicators of dishonesty. Consistency in their answers and natural behavior are generally signs of truthfulness, while abrupt changes might suggest they’re not being completely honest.