An increasing number of organizations are using virtual and remote interviews in their search for talented employees as a result of the increasing popularity of remote working throughout various sectors.
By being conducted via the internet, these interactions offer both the interviewer and the interviewee more flexibility and comfort. However comfortable they are, nevertheless the reality is that during such interactions, it can be a little difficult for interviewers to accurately evaluate the appearance and body language of the candidates which could prevent productive dialogue and ultimately fail to provide the full picture of the individual. It is therefore important to understand how you, as an interviewer, can prepare for an online candidate assessment.
To shed more light on this, our team of experts at DevelopmentAid Recruitment Solutions (DRS) have put together some tips that will help you to get the most out of online interviewing but first, let’s define what a remote interview involves.
What is a remote interview?
A remote interview is a meeting that is conducted via the internet, typically via an online video chat service, and can be carried out wherever and whenever the interviewer and candidate agree on. Despite taking place virtually, the interviews are very similar to in-person interactions in that the candidates are asked questions and have a set period of time to respond.
Remote interviews are becoming more common as more companies see the advantages of employing workers on a virtual basis. As such, it is important for recruiters, hiring managers, and executives in the process of employing remote workers to optimize the remote interviewing process.
Remote interviewing tips and tricks
While almost all managers will have taken part in virtual meetings in one way or another, not all are proficient at conducting remote interviews. Let’s examine some tips that can help to improve online interviewing techniques and candidate evaluation.
1️⃣ Learn more about remote interviewing rules
Regardless of where the interview is taking place, be it office or home, the interviewer and the interviewee still need to present themselves appropriately. Make sure there are no obvious distractions in the background but, if that’s not possible, virtually any video conferencing app will offer the ability to create a blank background as an alternative.
Here are some additional tips:
- Mute the sound on your smartphone and computer.
- Choose a place where there is light in front of you, preferably natural light.
- Avoid interrupting your interviewee if possible.
- Carry out a test run to make sure everything is working smoothly (camera, sound, mic). You might want to use noise-canceling headphones.
2️⃣ Select the proper technology for online interviews
Choosing the most suitable platform is a must to ensure smooth online communication without any glitches. You could consider using Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet, all of which offer a variety of useful features such as recording the conversation and screen sharing. Be sure to inform the interviewee about the software options that are available so that they can install and test the app and, of course, you should also make sure you have a good internet connection and a computer that you know won’t fail.
3️⃣ Make a detailed agenda for your online interview
Before the interview itself, it is important to inform the candidate, via email, for example, of the date and time of the interview, and the software that will be used.
It will also be helpful to mention some information about the person and their position in the company who the candidate will be talking to, as well as how long the conversation is expected to last.
4️⃣ Ensure you have a ‘Plan B’
Even with meticulous planning, technological malfunctions do occur from time to time. When something goes wrong during a remote interview, you should have an alternative plan. It is therefore important to have the person’s email address and other contact details, perhaps a phone number, so that you can reschedule the interview or suggest alternative software.
The candidate could also experience certain issues, for example, the laptop battery dies, in which case you could give them some time to address the issue either by allowing them time to charge the battery or using another device – a tablet, phone, or another laptop or PC.
If there’s a problem with bandwidth, you could consider switching to an audio call instead.
5️⃣ Create a perfect list of interview questions
If you want to assess someone’s skills, you must first formulate your inquiries so consider preparing questions that will allow you to dive into the candidate’s past experiences, analyze their problem-solving skills, and better understand their level of flexibility in terms of remote work environments.
6️⃣ Ensure a comfortable online communication
The first step towards developing a connection is a friendly greeting and some light conversation to create a relaxed atmosphere. It’s important that you display active listening during the interview, smile, nod, and provide words of affirmation.
Candidates will feel more confident and inclined to open up as a result which will provide better insight into their personalities and their likely compatibility with your team.
7️⃣ Evaluate the candidate’s remote work skills
During the interview, it’s important to evaluate the candidate’s communication style and their aptitude in using digital tools as well as their time management abilities. You could ask about the candidate’s experience with any software that your company makes use of.
If a person demonstrates a high level of self-motivation, creativity, and technical skills, they are likely to offer good performance when working remotely and potentially become a valuable member of your team.
8️⃣ Include behavioral questions
Questions such as these will allow you to learn more about the person’s previous experiences and understand their ability to handle issues in various real-life situations. For example, you could ask the applicant to provide you with a case study of an instance when they failed to meet their objective and how they handled this.
Other examples of behavioral questions:
- What would you do if your schedule was interrupted?
- Have you ever had to deal with an angry customer? How did you handle this situation?
- Describe an instance when you and your teammates had to reach a compromise. What were the results?
9️⃣ Remember: Every interview is a two-way street
When carrying out a remote interview, make sure you offer the opportunity for the candidate to ask you questions about your organization and the position they’re applying for and you should be ready to give in-depth responses to any given question.
This will help the candidate to determine whether they are a good fit for your company and also provide you with more information regarding their values when it comes to employment. All of this will assist with the assessment process.
🔟 Give feedback
At the end of the interview, inform the candidate about the follow-up steps that they can expect.
If a candidate knows they have been unsuccessful, they can then continue to seek other opportunities. This step will also improve the image of the company and demonstrate your professionalism.
If you’re looking for talented experts, contact DevelopmentAid Recruitment Solutions (DRS). With more than 15 years of experience in recruiting workers in the development and humanitarian sectors, DRS offers a large selection of customized services that are able to meet any needs or budget. DRS implements strategies for hiring that are tailored to the needs of our customers and take into account their culture, vision, and goals.
Final word
Because remote interviewing does not allow you to fully analyze a candidate, it is important to take specific steps that will help you to better prepare for the interview and get to know the person on the other side of the screen more thoroughly.
You could encounter various difficulties, mostly related to technology, which is why it is important to be prepared for any issues that may arise which will ensure a professional dialogue. Being fully prepared for an online interview will not only help you to better evaluate a candidate but also present a good impression of the company as a whole.
