If you haven’t integrated virtual or online interviewing into your hiring process, there’s no time like the present to give it a try. Online interviews can save time, fossil fuels, and can keep the hiring process moving when schedules or the Centers for Disease Control recommends keeping 6 feet of distance between you and another person. Even though an online interview might seem a little less formal, as the person leading it you can set the tone. Use these five tips to get the most out of an online interview.
Know your technology
There are a ton of options when it comes to an online platform to conduct web based interviews. Skype, Zoom Meetings, Google Meet and GoToMeeting are just three of your options. FaceTime is also a popular choice if you know your candidate is also an Apple product user. However, you would likely need to give the candidate your mobile phone number, and if your mobile is not supplied to you by work, you might want to reconsider giving out your personal mobile number. Whatever platform you choose, make sure you’re not using it for the first time when you’re conducting your interview. Do a test run with a colleague or friend to learn where all the buttons are inside the platform that control the volume, Mute functions, camera and screen share. You just want to reduce the likelihood of anything going awry because of user error.
Confirm, confirm, confirm
Make sure that you communicate clearly that the interview is an online or virtual interview, and send a meeting invite that calls that out specifically. You might think that providing dial in information would mean that your candidate would understand that it’s not an in person interview, but because every email provider treats meeting invites differently, having a call in/ log on instructions included isn’t 100% clear that you want to meet virtually. Be sure to spell it out. If you’re not hearing back from the candidate, send a follow up email to confirm receipt of the invitation. Take the opportunity to state again that the interview will be web based, and ask the candidate if she or he has any questions. The last thing you want is the candidate to show up in person at the wrong place at the date and time you’re suggesting.
Choose a light, quiet place
If you’re conducting the interview from home, take your computer to the place that you’re considering for the interview. Make sure that you’re checking what’s in view behind you, and that you don’t look like you’re conducting an interview from a dark cave or a bar. Remember, this is the candidate’s first impression of you too. Also, if you’re in a room with a lot of hard surfaces, the audio can be really pitch-y or echo-y, so avoid selecting rooms like your kitchen as the ideal interview location. Lastly, if you know your significant other, children, neighbors will be around at a specific time each day, avoid scheduling the interview around that timeframe. Background noise will be distracting for you and the candidate. Also, make sure you’re wi-fi or Internet connection is stable in the room you’re selecting. You shouldn’t need a super high speed connection to avoid screen freeze or audio glitches, but it’s a good idea to insure the room you’re choosing doesn’t have a connection issue that will annoy you and the candidate.
Here are nine questions to consider asking to get the most out of your online interview:
- Tell me a little about yourself.
- Why do you want this job?
- Why do you think you are the right candidate for this job?
- What is your biggest accomplishment to date?
- Tell me about a time when. . .
- What motivates you?
- Why do you want to leave your job?
- Where else have you applied?
- Do you have any questions for me?
Have a backup plan
If your Internet goes down, or the candidate’s Internet connection isn’t stable, or any of the other things that can happen when you need technology to do your job, have a plan B. Knowing if your candidate is an Apple or Andriod user will allow you to Facetime with the candidate or use Duo to conduct the web based interview. Switching from your computer to mobile device might allow you to use cellular data instead of an Internet connection that might be giving one of you trouble. But talking about it beforehand reassures your candidate that it’s important to you to meet them, and you’re prepared to handle whatever issues technology might throw your way.
Virtual or online interviewing might not feel as meaningful as in person interviews the first couple of times you conduct one, but after conducting one or two of them, you’ll likely start to feel comfortable with them, and might choose to conduct more meetings online instead of via conference calls. Don’t avoid online interviews because you’re not confident in your technical skills, or don’t have faith in your Internet connection. Online interviews really can be a valuable tool to use to keep your hiring process moving, and keep candidates engaged when schedules aren’t lining up to block out time during a busy week, or the World Health Organization declares a pandemic.