How to conduct virtual interviews LinkedIn Talent Solutions

Ensure that the background the candidate will see during the remote interview is free of any noticeable distractions. To combat this, many video conferencing applications provide you with the option of setting a blank background. Also, be mindful to remain engaged in the conversation with the interviewee; so remove yourself from potential distractions and find a quiet space to conduct the interview. Video conferencing technology enables hiring managers to ascertain more important details by viewing their interviews directly, as opposed to traditional phone interviews. It has also been proven that most interpersonal communication is nonverbal.

• That’s probably for the better; monetizing a remote job board seems hard, considering how much demand there is compared to (good) offers.
• You want to show all potential candidates that just because the interview is remote, it is no less professional than if you were to meet in an office.
• Based on the remote position that you’re hiring for, you can start by compiling a list of skills and traits that a new employee should possess.
• If the role is a technical one (design or engineering) – there is a technical skills fit evaluation stage to the interview process as well.

To attract the best talent, hiring managers need to implement a structured recruitment and interview process. Only then can they consistently build their talent pipeline and attract the most exceptional talent to their organization. If the candidate is presenting their portfolio or a detailed proposal, your video conferencing platform ideally needs to support screen sharing. Consider the structure of your remote interview and select the optimal platform to run a remote interview based on that. The goal of this interview is to introduce Dribbble from a People Ops perspective, share more about our team culture, and the remote work process.

Let candidates know well in advance which tool to use.

This helps the interviewer or recruiter located in a different place to interact and question a potential hire, who is also located somewhere else. During your remote interview, ask the candidate about their experience with the platforms used by your team. You should also enquire about their views on effective remote communication; as this will highlight how much thought they’ve given to such a relevant subject. Video platforms including Skype, Meet (formerly known as Hangouts), and Zoom are excellent choices to conduct a remote interview. Based on your company’s budget, this will help you to decide which is the best software to utilize.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations say they will continue with a fully remote or hybrid workforce. If you’re planning to conduct a longer interview, be sure to build in a break every hour or between each session for the candidate to go off camera to stretch and refresh while you write up your notes. Make sure every team member is aware of how many rounds of interviews there are and who is involved in each one, who is responsible for them, as well as what is required from all interviewers for each one. Of candidates indicate that a video interview lasting over an hour feels too long. Trying to understand a company’s culture when you can’t experience it firsthand is tough for anyone, so build a picture for the candidate. Every time we communicate with someone, a friend, a colleague, only a tiny percentage of what we communicate is verbal.

Learn More About “Remote Interview”

You can switch from your laptop to your phone in case of any technical issues. The foreground is as important as the background when it comes to an online interview. You have to pick a clean and isolated spot, devoid of any clutter or distraction. Experts advise against sitting next to the window due to the increase in disturbance and shift of the light towards the background rather than your face. Or in a room with people talking and disturbing the flow of the interview.

• Skills and professional history aside, make a point of gauging the candidate’s experience working with remote teams.
• 94% of job seekers want to receive interview feedback but only 41% have received it before.
• Unfortunately, during a remote interview, many of these non-verbal cues are not easily observable.
• As more employers realize the benefits of hiring virtual employees, remote interviews have become increasingly prevalent.
• Share the names, titles and LinkedIn profiles of everyone from your company who will meet the candidate.

Employees who spend 3-4 days working remotely are about 11% more engaged than their in-office peers, resulting in higher productivity and lower turnover. Whether or not the candidate gets the job, follow up with them in a timely manner to show that you respect their time, while also gathering strategic insights that improve your hiring. Give candidates a heads-up that they may need to solve a test or problem during the interview, or that you’re interested in reviewing their work samples. Share tips for establishing a relationship with a candidate, such as designating a few minutes for small talk at the start of an interview, and smiling and nodding to show interest.

Familiarize yourself with remote interviewing etiquette

Typically, interviewers use videoconferencing tools to see and speak with remote candidates. Developing a structured interview process, making it a two-way, informative conversation, focusing on candidate communication before and after the interview goes a long way in conducting productive remote interviews. For a lot of companies, hiring isn’t a dedicated process, it’s a bunch of meetings with potential employees. But you’re not just meeting another person, you’re gathering evidence to decide if that person has the necessary skills, values and cultural fit to carry out a role at your company.

Other remote workers may struggle with the digital platforms that are necessary to collaborate with their distant team members. For team leaders, they must address these issues; which should be discussed during the remote interview process. In the present business climate, online assessments are more important than ever. When conducted correctly, online assessments enable businesses to quickly narrow down their candidate pool. If you’re unable to formally meet candidates in person, it’s pivotal to assess potential hires for the skills and competencies they need in a remote setting.

Keep your voice calm and speak clearly, and smile when appropriate, just like you would in person. You want to put the candidate at ease and demonstrate that remote interview meaning you’re engaged in the conversation. Also, wait a few seconds at the end of sentences or after the candidate speaks to minimize talking over each other.