How to Conduct Effective Virtual Interviews

As cited by Forbes, it was found that, in 506 companies, 47% use video interviews to shorten the duration of hiring and 22% are willing to try it out in the future, especially for foreign candidates. This method has become popular among businesses as it easily connects people despite their location. This offers more benefits compared to traditional in-person interviews. While virtual interviews provide convenience and flexibility, they also need to be focused on to be more effective.

With these, here are the steps you need to take in order to make sure your virtual interview is effective for both you and the potential candidates!

During preparation, you have to make sure to:

• Choose the most reliable and appropriate video conferencing platform. 
• Make sure to test your equipment such as audio, video, and internet connection. 
• Consider different time zones if interviewing international candidates.
• Provide clear instructions and links to join the meeting.
• Prepare interview questions that are relevant to the role.
• Have all necessary documents and candidate information ready.

Aside from this, it is also necessary to create a professional environment despite having to interview in your home. For this, you can: 

• Choose a quiet and well-lit space with appropriate background to avoid distractions.
• Dress professionally as you would for an in-person interview to convey respect and seriousness.

During the interview, here are some of the best ways to engage with the candidate:

• Show that you are engaged by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and responding thoughtfully.
• Ask open-ended questions to create a conversational atmosphere.
• Allow candidates to ask questions and provide detailed answers.

With conducting a virtual interview, it is possible to face challenges such as internet disconnection or technical difficulties. Here are some of the ways to prevent it:

• Have an alternative communication method ready in case of technical difficulties.
• Be familiar with basic troubleshooting steps for common technical issues.
• Stay calm and patient if issues arise.

After the interview, it is best to: 

• Give constructive feedback to candidates.
• Clearly outline the next steps in the hiring process and expected timelines.
• Make sure that the candidates know who to contact for follow-up questions.

Effective virtual interviews require thorough preparation, a professional environment, active engagement, and contingency planning. Preparation ensures that you are ready for any situation, professionalism maintains respect, and adaptability helps you handle any unforeseen challenges smoothly.

Want to make your hiring extra efficient and effective? Sign up for a free trial today on Kalibrr!

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Kalibrr is a recruitment technology company that aims to transform how candidates find jobs and how companies hire talent. Placing the candidate experience at the center of everything it does, we continue to attract the best talent from all over, with more than 7 million professionals and counting. Kalibrr ultimately connects these talents to companies in search of their next generation of leaders.

The only end-to-end recruitment solutions provider in Southeast Asia, Kalibrr is headquartered in Makati, Philippines, with offices in San Francisco, California, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Established in 2012, it has served over 18,000 clients and is backed by some of the world’s most powerful start-up incubators and venture capitalists. These include Y Combinator, Omidyar Network, Patamar Capital, Wavemaker Partners, and Kickstart Ventures.

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