How to Successfully Conduct a Remote Job Interview

How to Successfully Conduct a Remote Job Interview

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is making it exceedingly difficult for businesses to connect with top talent via in-person interviews. Lucky for you, there’s video conferencing technology.

REMOTE JOB INTERVIEWS: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Outside of the fact that you and a job candidate are not in the same room together, a remote job interview is conducted much in the same way as a typical in-person interview. To conduct a remote interview, you set up a date and time to interview a candidate, then meet with him or her at the agreed-upon date and time via your computer or mobile device. When the interview gets underway, you can see the candidate, and he or she can see you. Then, you and the candidate can ask each other questions and see if there’s a good fit for both sides.

Remote job interviews can be simple and effective if you approach them in the right way. If you know how to prepare for a remote interview, you can create a positive first impression with a job candidate, show a candidate who you are and what your company is all about, and make it easy for him or her to say yes to a job offer.

MAKE THE MOST OF A REMOTE JOB INTERVIEW

As you prepare for a remote job interview, one thing to keep in mind: an interview — regardless of whether it is held in-person or remotely — provides a valuable learning opportunity. You may only get one chance to meet with a candidate, so you need to capitalize on this opportunity. To do so, prepare interview questions, learn about the candidate, and take time to answer his or her questions.

If you decide to move forward with a job candidate after a remote interview, you can let him or her know the next steps in the hiring process. Or, if you want to look elsewhere for the right candidate, you can take solace in the fact that you made the most of your remote interview.

Here are a few tips to help you successfully conduct a remote job interview.

1. Use a Quiet Space for Your Interview

Conduct a remote job interview in a quiet spot like a home office. Here, you can focus on what’s most important — using a remote interview to learn about a job candidate and his or her skills and experience.

2. Test Your Tech

Check your internet connection and the audio and video of your computer or mobile device before your remote interview. If you plan to use a smartphone or tablet for your remote interview, charge your device.

3. Silence Your Phone

Turn off your phone and other electronics and remove any potential distractions. If other family members will be home at the time of your interview, let them know to avoid your work area during this time.

4. Be an Active Listener

Make eye contact, use hand gestures, nod your head, and actively listen to a job candidate as he or she speaks. Active listening skills are crucial during in-person and remote interviews alike. So, use these skills to show a candidate you are interested in what he or she has to say.

5. Dress Professionally

Choose clothing you would usually wear to an in-person interview for your video meeting. You need to look professional during your remote interview. By dressing for success, you’ll emanate success from the moment you first meet with a candidate.

Conduct Successful Video Interviews Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic

I hope these tips simplify remote job interviews for you. We’re all adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, and video interviews are part of the adjustment process for businesses. But, with the aforementioned tips, you can use remote interviews to seamlessly engage with job candidates and identify top talent for your business.

At Headfarmer, we’re all about helping businesses attract and retain top talent. In fact, we partner with finance and technology companies in the greater Phoenix area and help them find the right candidates for a wide range of roles. To learn more, please reach out.