Remote Interviews. Navigating the Challenges of Virtual Hiring
As much as we talk about best practice in interviewing, the fact is that doing this over a video call, has its additional challenges. In this article we’ll take a look at better preparing for your interview, so that you can put candidates at ease and give them the best opportunity to show you their potential.
One of the immediate hurdles in remote interviews is the potential for technical issues. It’s a little obvious we know, but how often have we missed the need to ensure equipment, internet connection, and video conferencing platforms are prepared and tested, to avoid disruptions?
Give yourself at least 15 minutes to fire up the laptops, wiggle cameras and check your headset! You know that “Zoom is updating” moment of doom? Be prepared for it.
Keep It Neat and Professional. You’ll want a background that is tidy and free from distractions. A cluttered or messy background can divert attention away from the interview and leave a negative impression. Opt for a plain, neutral background or use a virtual background if needed and secondly be mindful of your communication.
Modern technology isn’t perfect and you’re not likely to be using broadcast quality equipment that does an outstanding job of capturing detail and finesse. You’ll need to overcome this, so speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Enunciate your words to ensure that the candidate can understand you. Give them ample time to respond to questions, and by leaving pauses, you can avoid talking them.
Remote interviews can make it challenging to gauge each other’s body language and non-verbal cues, which are often essential in assessing communication skills and maintaining candidate engagement. It’s vital to check your camera position. If you have two screens, you can often be looking at the candidate on screen (so in your mind, you are making eye contact), but this means the candidate is seeing the side of your face. Or worse, people have cameras too high or too low, leading to an unnatural and uncomfortable view.
Keep the conversation dynamic, ask open-ended questions, and make candidates feel comfortable. Maintain eye contact, even if that means looking directly at the camera regularly, so that the candidate feels you are making eye contact, and make purposeful use of nodding and open body language to show encouragement.
The next thing to be aware of is just as applicable to face to face interviewing, but in a remote environment the following are even more pressing.
Maintaining a structured interview process and focusing on the key competencies and skills required for the role is key to harmonising the experience for all candidates, and doing the best job of selecting the best candidate. Use a script, crafting questions that assess the skills and competencies you’re seeking, and allow candidates to demonstrate their experience effectively, using that classic “tell me about a time when…” This structure enables you to hear how they have done something, which is what’s most important to the hiring process. You don’t just want a candidate who can deliver technical outputs, you want someone who can do so in a way that is collaborative, effective, efficient…. So measure those things.
It’s also important to create a positive candidate experience by providing clear instructions, being responsive to questions, and offering a virtual tour of your workspace.
In this era of remote work, mastering the art of virtual interviews is a must for every organization. By acknowledging the challenges and following best practices, you can ensure your remote interviews are not just a necessity but a valuable tool for selecting the best talent, regardless of their location.
Mastering the art of remote interviews requires attention to these finer details. By ensuring your camera is positioned for eye contact, controlling your environment, and practicing clear and engaging communication, you create a positive and professional interview experience.
