The pandemic has made us reconsider our way of working and forced us to adopt the remote work culture. As employers are trying to adjust to this crisis, they are embracing tech tools to effectively coordinate work and monitor their employees.
For companies looking to hire new employees, there is no other option but to shift to the virtual interview approach. Although virtual interviews have become increasingly popular in the past decade, they are now highly preferred due to the high flexibility that they offer.
There are various innovative video conferencing tools available now to make the virtual interview process a cakewalk. Apart from the convenience of conducting interviews from any part of the world without having to get the candidate in the same room, video conferencing software also save a lot of time as they are very easy to use.
Whether you are conducting a virtual interview for the first time or have been doing it for years, there are certain important factors to keep in mind to ensure optimum results. Let’s look at the best practices for conducting a productive virtual job interview:
- Clearly communicate specifics:
Make sure the candidate being interviewed has been provided all the correct details regarding the interview time and the platform that will be used to conduct the interview. Your HR department is responsible for explicitly communicating all the profile details to the candidates.
- Do a trial and error:
It is important to choose the best video conferencing software to conduct the virtual interview and do a trial run beforehand. To eliminate the chances of a technical glitch, verify the effectiveness of your camera and microphone. A stable internet connection is crucial for a seamless video call.
- Pick the correct spot:
Just like the candidate, the interviewer too must ensure that they are seated in a well-lit distraction-free spot while conducting the interview. The place should be quiet and uncluttered so as to reflect the seriousness of the meeting.
- List out the vital questions:
For every profile, there are certain mandatory questions that must be listed in advance. This allows you to be prepared for the interview and steer it in the correct direction. This practise also allows you to get clarification from the candidate on all the important aspects.
- Start by making the candidate feel comfortable:
It is important to start the interview with an introduction and put in efforts to make the candidate feel comfortable. A lot of candidates may show signs of anxiousness as they may be new to the virtual interview setup. Show empathy and ensure they are at ease before you kickstart the questioning phase.
- Define your expectations:
Before you start asking questions, make sure the candidate is aware about what exactly you are looking for. Give a brief description about the role and specify the responsibilities that come with it.
- Maintain a professional attitude:
Candidates build a mental reputation of the company through the interviewer and this is why you must uphold a professional image throughout the interview, just like you would for an in-person interview. Don’t forget to dress appropriately and speak politely.
- Give candidates the option to question:
Lastly, you should allot time at the end of the interview for answering any questions the candidate may have. Be prepared to answer them and leave them well-informed and free of any doubts. This creates a positive impression on the candidate about you as well as the company.
Conclusion:
It is important to remember that the candidate too is assessing you and the company during the interview. Make sure your behaviour reflects the company culture so the candidate feels positive about working with your company. This will allow you to get the most out of the virtual interview and find a worthy candidate for the job.