Remote working has become the new norm for most organizations, mainly due to the effects of COVID-19. Unfortunately, this situation has also affected recruiters, and for them to continue hiring successfully, video interviews must be implemented.
Video interviews have been existing for a while now. Still, with the current pandemic situation, recruiters have to fully adjust their recruiting strategies in order to hire candidates while adhering to COVID-19 safety measures. Since interviews are essential in sourcing the right candidates, you still need to learn the vital tips for conducting remote interviews for successful recruitment.
How to Conduct a Video Interview
The first step toward a successful video interview is thoroughly preparing your team. This is because, like any other activity, video interviews come with their challenges, and not knowing how to effectively conduct it may affect your employer brand and ability to hire top talent.
That being said, do not relax and wait to fail. Instead, use the below video interview tips for employers and enjoy recruiting top talent.
1. Have a Plan
The last thing you want is not to have a backup plan in case a video interview procedure doesn't go as initially planned. Therefore, make sure you and your team are on the same page by creating a formal plan. Identify if you have all the tools needed and if you might need more now that you are conducting interviews remotely. Additionally, have solutions in place in case you experience internet interruptions or your device breaks down.
2. Identify and Test Your Equipment
There are many video interview apps in the market, and you need to identify one that is suitable for your recruitment needs. Once you have identified a software and installed it on your device, test it out and learn how it works.
Take note of whether the tool requires login credentials so that you may be able to share with the candidates, allowing them to test the tool on time. You can also try the software by conducting fake interviews with your team to understand all the software features.
3. Send Early Invitations to Candidates
It is best to notify candidates early that they have been scheduled for interviews to give them enough time to prepare. Tell them what to expect during interviews and share the equipment that you will use for the procedure, including a stable internet connection, a quiet and undistracted place, software for video interviews, and more.
Additionally, emphasize the reason why you must conduct video interviews such as health purposes and so on.
4. Create a Conducive Interviewing Space
Let your interviewers create a quiet and well-lit space for conducting interviews. Having that space free from backgrounds that may distract candidates should be considered. You want the candidates to clearly see you and hear what you say in order to quickly connect with your company. This also means that all phones should be silent or muted during the video interview.
5. Have a Feedback Process in Place
Candidates’ experiences will never be the same, and each participant will have their view or opinion about the entire video interview process. Because you want to improve your interviewing methods and build your brand, it is essential that you create a feedback survey where candidates can anonymously express how they felt about the interview, software, and interviewers. The information you get from the survey should be enough to help you improve your interviewing methods.
6. Dress Professionally
The same way you expect a candidate to dress sharp, so should you. This gives a candidate the feeling of being associated with your organization. Dressing professionally also makes the virtual interview seem like an onsite, keeping the entire process seamless and professional.
7. State Your Company’s Culture
You expect a candidate to fully experience your company’s culture, and without sharing it, your wishes will not come true. State your company’s mission and core values during the interview. Talk about your company’s structure and team relationships so that they may picture themselves being part of the organization.
8. Take Notes and Take Care of Your Body Language
Do not just start taking notes on your views about the interviewee. Instead, let them know before resuming the meeting about what you will do so that you do not come off as being rude and not following the conversation.
Body language is also very essential, and a candidate may have second thoughts about working with you because of it. Therefore, maintain eye contact, keep a smiley face, nod your head to show you are following, sit upright, and more. Simply put, avoid things that make you come off as disrespectful.
9. Ask Consistent Questions
Before the video interviews begin, you probably have already structured questions that you will ask the candidates. Be consistent with the questions, and don’t divert into something else simply because a candidate gives you a different feel.
Let the interviewing process be unbiased and evaluate candidates based on how they respond to your outlined questions. You can achieve this with the assistance of an interview scorecard.
10. Be Early
Log in to the video interviewing software earlier (probably five minutes before the actual time). Making a candidate wait for you for more extended periods may make them feel like they are in the wrong meeting or have logged in earlier.
You do not need to stay in front of your desktop waiting because the chances are that the candidate will also log in earlier. Instead, switch off the video functionality and continue preparing for the interview. Note that the same way you appreciate punctuality, so will the candidates.
The above virtual interview tips for employers will get you on track to a successful video job interview. Remember to handle video interviews the same way you would an in-person one. This will make each participant take the process seriously, allowing you to effectively analyze a candidate. Also, have some compassion and consideration for your candidates by not criticizing them in case they experience interruptions or distractions on their end.
