The Absolute Best Way to Conduct Video Interviews
Video interviewing is becoming less and less uncommon as recruiters and leaders look for ways to streamline the vetting process of potential new hires. But as with any interview process, there is a right way (and a wrong way) to conduct a video interview.
Video can be intimidating to candidates and members of the leadership team alike. Not everyone feels comfortable on camera, and you can miss a good opportunity if you don’t know how to utilize the technology for your interviewing purposes appropriately.
If you are part of the hiring team, here’s the absolute best way to conduct a video interview that will help elicit a positive and productive interview environment for everyone.
Before the Interview
Test out the technology. Nothing will sink an interview quicker than technology troubles. Therefore, as the hiring manager, make sure you know how to launch the video conference tools you’ll be using. Everyone’s time is valuable and fumbling around trying to make technology work is not the right way for anyone to make a good first impression.
Practice on camera. You want to be on camera just as you are in person. Therefore, practice interviewing on camera if this is new territory for you. Most of us don’t know how we look when we are sitting at our desk in front of our computer. How is your posture? Is there an adequate distance between you and the camera or are you all face? Is your audio transmitting clearly? Creating the right professional experience for a potential candidate is essential.
Limit distractions. Make sure your colleagues know when you are conducting a video interview so that you aren’t interrupted in the middle of one. You won’t want people knocking on your door to ask you a question in the midst of a video conference. Also, have your calls held, so your phone doesn’t ring either.
Send the candidate instructions. Many times, hiring managers may let a candidate know to join the meeting via a link when the interview is scheduled. Go beyond that and provide candidates with a list of instructions and tips to help them prepare and feel comfortable. Also, set your candidates up for success and alert them to things they may not be aware can cause a wrong impression during a video interview. Things like pets, loud noises, or children in the background seem like obvious distractions to eliminate from a video interview, but it never hurts to remind a candidate to proactively reduce the likelihood of these regular at-home occurrences from happening during your time together.
During the interview
Pay attention to body language. Just like an in-person interview, a video interview provides the opportunity to observe a candidate’s behavior. They may look great on paper and even did well in a phone interview, but how are they face-to-face?
Note their (total) presentation. Even though a candidate isn’t in your office, did they take the opportunity seriously and dress for success? Just like you are mindful of the view you provide a candidate, are your candidates equally conscious? How a candidate presents him or herself in a video interview includes more than what they choose to wear. It also includes where they decide to have the meeting. Are they in their car having a conversation with you on their phone or did they create a professional space to meet with you? These are important details you’ll be sure to notice.
Respect the clock. Because video interviews can feel more casual, be extra mindful of the clock and stay on track with your questions. Keep control of the discussion and don’t allow either you or the candidate to trail off on a tangent about something irrelevant to how you are evaluating them for a position.
Conclude with next steps. Just like any other interview, let your candidate know what the next steps are and what they should expect. Just saying ‘thank you’ and ending the call will feel incomplete and confusing to a candidate.
Video interviews or video screenings are another tool leaders and hiring managers use to assess potential new hires. It can save time and provide a more efficient hiring process when utilized well. And with more companies allowing employees to work remotely and serving customers all over the country or the world, mastering video capabilities seems only beneficial in the world of business.