Virtual Interview Tips for Employers

As companies across the country are changing their talent attraction and hiring process strategy to adjust to our new normal way of working from home, video and telephone interviews are now more important than ever. As an employer, this may be something you were already accustomed to, or it could be something which is almost entirely new to the way your business operates. Nonetheless, it is something which your organization will need to embrace and fully utilize in order to attract top talent in our current climate. Here are some simple steps to keep in mind when conducting a telephone or video interview: 

1. Put your candidates at ease.

Be aware of your tone of voice and demeanor when conducting a phone or video interview. In order to get the most out of your candidates, you need to make sure they’re comfortable and not intimidated by a virtual interview. While it’s likely easier to make people feel relaxed in person, there are certain things you can do from your remote location to encourage this also. Make sure to pay particular attention to your facial expressions and keep these in check. Use a neutral tone and speak a bit slower than usual to avoid confusion. Keep a positive attitude throughout the interview even if you encounter disruptions such as interference or poor internet connection. The calmer and more relaxed you appear, the more likely your interviewee will be calm and able to perform optimally.

2. Choose the right software for your business.

Chances are you’re going to be using whichever software you decide to go with a lot, so it’s important that you choose on that is best suited for your business needs. Zoom has exploded in popularity with businesses recently and is a great tool for video and audio conferencing. Of course, there are a number of other options out there. Skype, the original telecommunications app, also provides voice and video calls and has been used by companies for years. Other options may include Microsoft Teams or Google Hangouts, depending on your email provider of choice. Keep in mind that the most popular tool isn’t always the best tool for you. When deciding which platform to use for your interviews, make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each.

3. Consider automated interviews.

If you are doing a considerable amount of hiring or recruiting for a role that will have multiple rounds, you should consider automated interviews. In an automated interview, you as the employer can create a set of standardized questions which will then automatically appear on screen to the participant. You can put a time limit on answers and give interviewees the option to revisit and modify their answers. This pre-recorded format can seem unusual and out of the norm for some people, but it can save you time and increase efficiency where possible. Try to insert questions as if you were having a live one-on-one conversation, in order to create as real a scenario as possible. Make sure all potential candidates are aware of and understand the interview format so that they are not caught off guard at the beginning of the process.

4. Connect all employees involved in hiring

A major benefit of conducting a telephone or virtual interview is that it allows others within your organization visibility into recent candidates, saving time and unnecessary effort for everyone. Whether it’s your talent acquisition, human resources, or business managers, access can be given to multiple people so that information about a candidate can be easily shared and hiring decisions can be made quicker and more effectively.

5. Consider the benefits of virtual interviews even when not essential

Even when virtual interviews are not a necessity or a mandatory requirement, it could be worthwhile implementing virtual interviews during at least one stage of your hiring process. Not only can it give you access to untapped talent, but it can also contribute to the candidate experience you provide and help you streamline the process to ensure you choose the best hire possible for your business. While meeting in person can often give you a better impression of someone, virtual interviewing comes with its own benefits, including the potential to both speed up the hiring process and widen the talent pool.

 

Are you new to remote interviewing? If you need help on how to conduct video or phone interviews, please feel free to get in touch and we’ll be happy to lend a helping hand.