Virtual interviews have become a part of the standard interview process for many companies.  Even though the pandemic that prompted the need for remote interviews is waning, organizations saw the benefits this practice provided their operations. 

Conducting remote interviews via video conferencing platforms is convenient for interviewers and candidates alike.  There is no need for commuting as remote interviews can be conducted anywhere.  They provide all parties with greater flexibility during their busy schedules.  And businesses may be able to conduct more interviews remotely than they would in person. 

While remote interviews offer these advantages, their disadvantages are largely attributed to the way the interviews are conducted.  This practice was new to many companies (and job candidates) in 2020, so there was a bit of a learning curve for learning how to professionally conduct virtual interviews.  Unfortunately, many interviewers still don’t have an effective remote interview process in place.  This lack of format may be projecting a bad impression of a company if the candidate doesn’t feel relaxed and welcome. 

To avoid these issues, our team has put together this helpful guide to make your organization’s virtual interviews more effective, efficient, and welcoming. 

Always Test Your Equipment

A virtual interview that begins with spotty sound or video dropouts is not a great scenario.  When this happens, a lot of time is spent trying to frantically correct the situation.  This can leave you annoyed, make the interviewer feel uncomfortable, and, most likely, result in a rescheduled interview. 

This scenario can be avoided by taking some time to test your equipment before you conduct your virtual interview.  To avoid any of these technical issues, take a test run with a coworker.  By having a practice interview, you ensure that your internet connection and speed are optimal so there are no lags, dropouts or video pixelation issues.  You can also use this time to test your microphone and speakers/headset to ensure that you can be heard and that you can hear properly. 

If any issues are identified during the test, you’ll have time to correct them or make new arrangements to ensure that your virtual interview runs smoothly. 

Remember: You’re Being Virtually Interviewed Too

As an interviewer, you would expect the prospective candidates to treat a remote interview as they would an in-person interview.  They should be punctual.  Their setting should be appropriate (well lighted, clear of clutter) and free of distractions (no intrusions from children or pets).  While you don’t expect them to wear a suit (especially if they are at their residence), you would hope that they dress in professional attire. 

If the candidate appears distracted, experiences frequent interruptions from others in their location, and/or is dressed too casually, they will most likely not be viewed favorably.

Interviewers should also look the part, dressed professionally.  After all, virtual interviews (or any job interview) are a chance for the potential hire to learn more about your company and its culture.  If you make a less than professional impression by multitasking during the interview, conducting the interview in a noisy setting and/or dressing in unprofessional attire, the candidate may have a less than favorable view of the organization.  As it’s a very hot candidate market, it's the very impression you make on the candidate can be the difference between filling the job and not filling the job. 

Try to Avoid Back-to-Back Virtual Job Interviews

While remote interviews are very convenient and reduce the time a candidate spends waiting in a reception area and being escorted back to the appropriate office, they should not be held in immediate succession.  

Conducting virtual interviews consecutively with no breaks is not helpful.  Although you may seem like you are being more productive, you are not giving yourself enough time to process each candidate.  An interviewer needs time to evaluate the interview to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the respective candidate.  By conducting back-to-back virtual interviews, you hamper this ability.  The result is that the various candidates and their responses, skills, and experience may become jumbled in your memory. 

In addition, conducting back-to-back interviews is also unfair to the candidates and your organization.  When you immediately end one interview and begin another, it is quite likely that you’ll seem flustered, especially if the previous interview went a little longer than expected.  Beginning an interview with an apology for your tardiness and a slightly distressed demeanor creates a bad impression of you and your organization. 

And finally, scheduling back-to-back remote interviews leaves no time for the interview to proceed naturally.  Great interviews are not rushed, allow the conversation to flow organically and lead to unexpected and engaging questions and answers.  Rushing through one virtual interview to stay on schedule with the next interview does not allow you to truly get to know the candidates and leaves no time for them to ask questions and come to a better understanding of the position, the company and the culture. 

We all have to schedule multiple virtual job interviews in a day, just leave a bit of time between interviews whenever possible.  Doing so allows the conversation to proceed more smoothly, leaves room for additional questions and helps you make a more informed decision about the candidate. 

Following the steps above will help you and your company create a more welcoming virtual job interview experience that’s beneficial for your candidates - and your organization!

If you’re ready to put your new virtual interview process to the test with a collection of great candidates, please get in touch with us today!