Your business growth is affected by the quality and quantity of new talent you add to your team. Each new hire experiences an interview – however, the current health crisis means that your interviews are likely not going to be done in person like they were in the past. Though the health crisis may have changed many things in the world, it has not changed the fact that people are still applying to jobs. While virtual interviews may be somewhat new territory, many of the same considerations and strategies that are used in in-person interviews can be applied to virtual interviews. With these developments, it’s important to maximize your use of job interview technology to make the hiring process as smooth a transition as possible.

With these aspects considered, here are 6 ways to make online or virtual job interviews a success.

Outline Interview Plans in Advance

In online interviews, the way you start is important to how effective the screening process will be. It is crucial to plan ahead of time and be prepared for these interviews. Before you conduct the interview, take some time to research and develop a plan for how you want your interviews to go. Remember, asking the right questions during an interview is essential to hiring the right person for your company. What are the key questions you’d like to ask? What time frame will each interview have? What technologies will you use? Answer these questions thoughtfully to have a clear layout of your interviews and what to expect from candidates.

Have the Technology Ready

Regardless of how well you prepare questions and notes, you may not even get the chance to ask these questions if your video conferencing system or internet experiences a bad connection. When technology is involved, you always run the risk of sudden data outages or lost connections. In any case, it’s important to have a backup plan for these unfortunate scenarios. You can switch to your mobile phone for video or have a hotspot connection available in case these events occur. If you have brought in new devices, make sure to install any drivers or plugins in advance so they operate correctly on a consistent basis before you have your interview.

Perform a Test Run

There are many areas that can go wrong when it comes to using technology to power your virtual interviews. Before you use your technology on an actual interview with an applicant, consider doing a test run first. It is important to test your internet connection at least thirty minutes before the interview is to take place. By doing this, you can prepare for any challenges that may occur as well as plan for possible glitches. In addition, a test run saves you from experiencing unexpected glitches in an actual interview and gives you time to iron out issues in advance.

Create Written Instructions

A job interview can be more valuable for the interviewer and the interviewee when the candidate has written instructions ahead of time. Be sure to create a structured outline that details what the candidates will have to download, the date and time of the interview, what passwords to enter, how to access the meeting rooms, and dial-in number as well. When the candidate is just as prepared as you are, the interview experience is better for both sides.

Choose Backgrounds with No Distractions

In a virtual job interview, more unordinary accidents can happen in comparison to a traditional office space. Your family may call you, a child might wander into your meeting room, or a neighbor might mow their lawn outside. These factors serve as distractions that can pull you and the candidate’s attention away from the subject of the interview. In a virtual interview space, make sure to be thorough in removing as many distractions as possible from the environment. Find a spot in your home that has good lighting and has no potential sounds or distractions that could interrupt the interview.

Maintain a Professional Tone

Whether you are interviewing a candidate in person or online, maintaining professional standards is still paramount. Treat the virtual interview the same as with any physical one – dress appropriately, be welcoming, and maintain pleasant facial expressions. Remember, nodding your head is a small gesture that shows you are listening to the candidate and what they have to say. In addition, make sure that you are thoroughly engaged and focused during the interview. Avoid attempting to multitask, whether it be checking another mobile device or opening a new tab on your computer. The tone you set with the candidate can potentially affect your working relationship in the future.

Conclusion

The job interview process is one of the most important steps to build on your talent base and continue to find the perfect pieces to fit your team culture. Making the right decisions during the hiring process is vital to your company’s overall success. While the ongoing health crisis has forced more companies to take these activities online, do not let them steer you away from growing your team. By incorporating these steps and tips into your virtual job interview process, you can improve your filtering of candidates. Overall, the job interview process, even in a virtual format, can be a better experience for both you and the candidate.