Conducting Remote Job Interviews The Right Way – WalkWater Talent Advisors

1. With businesses having begun full-time, lockdowns being removed, and schools being reopened, life has started regaining its usual vigour. But, things are not all the same. Many businesses are still running with 50% capacities, or with complete work- from-home programs. Remote work is one of the trends that is continuing among professionals even after the deadly Corona virus has slowed down its pace. People are finding new ways to collaborate and communicate with others, rather than meeting them in person. One segment that has seen a significant shift from physical meetings in a room to virtual online communication is that of recruitment. Job interviews, at least the first few rounds, are being done online. Using video conferencing software, a candidate’s aptitude can be tested just as much as would be in a physical room conference. In this blog post, we’ve shortlisted everything it takes to conduct a successful remote job interview.

2. Sharing as much important information as possible beforehand Before calling in a candidate for an interview, it’s always appropriate to share as much information as possible about your company and job through an email. Along with this information, letting them know about the interview schedule, instructions for using the video conferencing software, etc. can help candidates know what they should expect once they click the meeting link, making it a little less stressful for them, before they come in. Being well-prepared at your end Make sure to test your technology and find a quiet place to conduct the interview. When you expect your candidate to be well-prepared with their best versions, and on time, you want to be your best too. Just like candidate flaws put you down, so does ill-preparation on your part reflect poorly on you. It is thus absolutely crucial that you set aside a few minutes before you start the call, to make sure that everything is ready to go. Neglecting irrelevant factors and disruptions A video conference is technological, which means that even if both ends have tried everything before the call, unexpected issues may occur during the interview. A quiet setup may also be unexpectedly disturbed. Whatever it is, if anything such goes wrong at the candidate’s end, don’t let any such irrelevant factors influence your opinions about them. these distractions have nothing to do with a candidate’s capabilities and skills. In the worst-case scenario, if the entire interview is disrupted, you could always reschedule the interview, and make sure you do so on good terms. Avoiding multiple people on a single call Always undertake a one-to-one interview as much as possible. Avoid having multiple people coming in on the call, whether it is more candidates, or more team members. More people means more possibilities of problems and disturbances. This way, your judgment about reducing invested time by arranging for consolidated interviews may turn into a disaster by lengthening the interview process because of disturbances, or having to shut it off for another time in the worst-case scenarios! Being focused When on a video call, it is very normal for anyone to get distracted. For an applicant, the interview means an opportunity to advance in career; and for an interviewer, it means finding a great employee. However, in any case, distractions may occur which

3. can have your mind to drift elsewhere. It’s absolutely human, but you should try to be respectful of everyone involved in the meeting, and ensure you’re listening carefully to each one throughout the interview. Not jumping straight into the interview You have a long list of heavy questions you want to ask the candidates. You’re also short of time. Yet, we’ll always advice you not to simply jump onto these questions. You must begin with a relaxed start and get acquainted with everyone involved. Talk about yourself and also let the candidate speak about himself first. This way, the air will be comfortable, making it easier to get on with the tough questions. An interview, whether in person or virtual, should always be comfortable and fruitful. If you’re unsure about doing it the right way, you can always let professionals from the list of leadership hiring companies in India take up the task of scheduling interviews for you. Once the candidates have been shortlisted, you can then meet them in person when the time is right.