How to have successful remote interviews
Key takeaways:
- Remote work is becoming an important part of the modern work atmosphere.
- Employers can sharpen their remote interviewing skills to tap into this fast-growing labor market.
- Remote job interviews are less expensive and time-consuming than traditional in-person interviews.
- Hiring managers should prepare their interview space and tools beforehand.
- Establish a rapport with the interviewee and ask pertinent questions.
- Don’t forget to assess EQ as well as IQ.
- Make the most of reference checks with video calls.
- Remember that you’re also being evaluated/interviewed.
- Remote interviewing is simple when employers and employees use the right techniques.
Working remotely is no longer a foreign concept to the modern workforce thanks to technology. It’s rapidly becoming an acceptable norm in the workplace and it has several benefits.
There has been a huge uptick in virtual work the past few years. The U.S. and other countries are also attempting to fill a record number of job openings remotely. Therefore, it’s pertinent for hiring managers to hone their remote interviewing skills.
Remote hiring services like Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies help hiring managers to find highly skilled, borderless talent. Doxa also lets them interview the best matches before drawing up terms.
When you decide to outsource a position or hire remotely, you’ll likely have to do a virtual interview. You’ll want to make sure that it’s conducted well so you end up with a candidate that’s aligned to your business needs. Here are eight tips for conducting successful remote interviews.
1. Prepare your interview space and tools
They say that success occurs when preparation meets opportunity. This adage applies to remote job interviews because inadequate preparation can cost you top talent. Most online interviews occur via video calls, with technology like Zoom and Google Meet.
Managers set to conduct remote interviews should prepare psychologically and physically the same way they do for in-person interviews. Your physical environment should be professional and clean and without disruptions.
Professional dress and good lighting are also key. Turn on your camera to position your chair and frame your face. If you’ll be sharing any materials like work samples or portfolios, you can do so via screen sharing.
Don’t forget to test your internet connection, webcam, and computer mic’s audio performance beforehand. This will highlight lags, freezes, and echoes. It also helps to have a standby backup plan, such as having a phone call and using email.
2. Don’t jump right into the interview
Try not to jump into the interview as soon as the candidate appears on-screen. Introduce yourself and take a minute or two to make the candidate comfortable by familiarizing yourselves. These friendly moments can melt the ice and make the prospective employee want to connect to your organization. Ask them how their day is going before posing interview questions.
3. Ask appropriate questions
Asking the right questions is essential to choosing a candidate. You can start by asking a candidate about their workplace opinions. Something such as, “Do you prefer working on a team or alone?” can guide the conversation into how the candidate views coworkers and their personality and approach to work. A relaxed approach may help your interviewee answer more truthfully and organically.
Additionally, focus on your candidate’s emotional intelligence (EQ) and not just their IQ. Hiring decisions are frequently based solely on skills and intelligence but a person’s EQ is critical to their success in the workplace. Sample EQ questions include:
- If you were starting a company, what would be its top three values?
- How did you handle the last workplace conflict you had?
- How can you harmoniously work under different supervisors with conflicting priorities?
- How do you handle work feedback you disagree with?
- What motivates you?
- How did you respond the last time you missed a deadline, and how did you remedy the consequences?
4. Leverage video software for reference checks
Consider requesting two-three non-family references from your candidates. References help you assess a job applicant after the interview. Some people might look and sound competent on paper or before a camera but have a history of workplace incompetence. References will confirm how the person is at work.
Since you’re conducting remote interviews, leverage the video software you’re using to make the most of reference checks. It’s easy to simply email questions to a candidate’s list of references but this method might not give the best results. First, a busy reference might not even see your email. Next, email is more impersonal than talking directly to someone on video, who is much more apt to go into detail via this method.
5. Optimize technology
Technology makes interviews more convenient and cost-effective. An average in-person interview with an out-of-state candidate costs a lot of extra time and expense to fly/drive and stay in a hotel. Video conferencing software is free and interviews can be conducted from anywhere.
6. Maximize skill-based tests
You can supercharge your digital interviews using skill-based tests. Personality and skills tests enable you to narrow your search to the most qualified candidates. They also help you select the best applicants for available remote vacancies.
7. Avoid multi-applicant interviews
It’s best to avoid multi-applicant interviews. It may sound convenient to interview several applicants simultaneously because it saves time. However, engaging many applicants at once can cause serious technical problems during video calls. In addition, it’s more chaotic and not as personal or respectful. You’ve already saved your candidates time traveling to your office. Focusing on a single person at a time helps you get the best from them.
8. Remember, you’re also being interviewed
Don’t forget that a job applicant is also evaluating you. Some candidates might have several offers, and they’re weighing which is the best. They might be gauging how you interact before deciding who to give their services to.
So, pay special attention to your dress, cadence, tone, type of interview questions, and physical background. Why? Because you represent your organization, and the job applicant sees your organization through you. How you conduct the interview will significantly determine how they perceive you and your firm.
Today’s job seekers want benefits beyond wages. Thus, they are increasingly opting for remote jobs which can provide better work-life balance, flexibility, and less commute stress.
The power of remote work
Remote work is no longer a remote concept in today’s modern organizations. Employers are embracing this trend to save time and money. Remote job interviews require slightly different approaches and tools like video conferencing technology.
Employers can also delegate their remote interviews to a reputable BPO organization trained to find the best borderless talent. Such a company can help business owners and leaders focus on their core activities while netting the best talent.
Start your remote hiring journey with Doxa today
Doxa is a BPO solutions provider that helps small and mid-sized businesses net the best offshore talents. Our recruitment solutions allow your business to tap into a worldwide talent pool to accelerate your growth. We’ll help you scale seamlessly to enjoy global success, no matter the size of your organization.
We help local companies build and scale high-performing and highly skilled offshore teams, while creating greater opportunity for all. There are no one-size fits all solutions because every business is unique, as is every business leader. Whether you’re a start-up or scale-up, Doxa can adapt to your needs, big or small, and no matter how complex.
We have experience helping companies expand their business and build global teams across Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Our offering is structurally aligned to deliver better results for local businesses and give them the technology resources and capabilities to compete in a global world.
Take a step forward and contact our team today for a free 20-minute consultation. Together, we’ll forge a winning strategy to accelerate your business goals.
