In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing job market, remote interviews are becoming more and more common. Whether you’re a job seeker or an employer, it’s important to be prepared and know how to conduct a successful remote interview. Here are 7 Tips to Conduct Successful Remote Interviews.
Be aware of technology gaps
It’s important not to assume that candidates are familiar with the video platform you’re using to conduct interviews, even if it’s a well-known platform like Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Microsoft Teams. The interview invitation should include clear instructions to call at the scheduled time, as well as any other steps the candidate may need to log in.
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Conduct a test call with the interviewer
Make sure your team members are also technically capable of leading interviews, as not being prepared won’t hurt the company. Conduct a phone test prior to your interview to maximize your chances of success and ensure everyone brings out the best. This step will become less important once team members become more experienced at leading remote interviews.
Set the interview agenda
Include an agenda when sending out interview invitations. By organizing the interview, you can make sure you hit all the necessary points and set expectations for the interview. You can also include “internal” notes that only you and your team members can see, such as specific questions to ask candidates.
If the candidate is going through a series of interviews with members of your team, be sure to designate breaks at least every half hour so they all have a chance to stretch their legs and collect their thoughts. Also, it’s helpful to coordinate seeing who is asking what questions so that the different interviews don’t overlap too much.
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Introduce the details of the interviewer
Provide candidates with names, titles, bios, and the LinkedIn profiles of everyone at your company they might talk to. This will provide candidates with useful information about the team and may lead them to ask more relevant, poignant questions during the interview.
Outline the interview tasks
If the position you are interviewing for requires a skills test, report or formal presentation, please send materials to candidates well in advance of the interview date. Be sure to give them clear instructions and ample time to complete assignments or prepare presentations before the interview.
Review the candidate so you can ask the right questions
Review candidates’ work histories, skills and experience prior to the call. If assignments are required, evaluate them prior to the interview as it will provide a springboard for questions that are directly relevant to the candidate. Keep your problems close at hand, whether on another screen, printed out, or displayed on your phone. That way, you don’t have to tap the screen to find them during a call.
Promote company culture
If the candidate does not come to a physical office to learn about the environment, the remote interview should provide details about the company culture. Introduce the company’s mission, values, and goals during the conversation. Share how you keep remote workers connected, giving examples of how you do social and team building. Also, highlight career development opportunities.
Dress professional
Make sure your team members and company come across as professional, friendly and welcoming. Even with a remote interview, the interviewer should still dress as if they were facing a client or attending an important meeting. This will set the tone and let candidates know how they should dress for important meetings.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, conducting a remote interview can be more challenging than an in-person interview, but with the right preparation and tools, it is possible to conduct a successful and productive interview. It is important to make sure all the technology is working properly before the interview, set clear guidelines and communication lines, and make interviewees feel comfortable and at ease. Also, it is important to be flexible and open to different forms of communication, and to be ready to adapt to any unexpected technical issues. By following these tips, you can conduct a successful remote interview and find the best candidate for the job.
