Remote Interviews
With growing global health concerns regarding COVID-19, hundreds of companies have stopped their standard recruitment processes and opted for remote interviewing, sourcing, and screening. While this transition to remote interviews may not affect all stages of the candidate funnel, it does impact the candidate experience directly. It shows that you as company care for employee’s health and is top of game with the changes happening due to viral spread of coronavirus.
Not every role can be performed remotely, likewise not every candidate is suited for a remote work career. Conducting remote interviews may seem a bit stressful or scary if you’re new to it. Transitioning to an entirely virtual hiring process is not easy, also decision-making becomes critical as finding candidate’s interest levels in-person through signals like body language is tricky. These are few internal aspects to consider, but there are many other factors to check for like the candidate’s internet connection stability or candidate being familiar to tools which you will be utilizing to conduct interview.
If you have vigorous hiring targets to achieve this quarter, then don’t let this new trend-switch to remote work hold back your hiring efforts. Follow the below steps to stay on track and deliver the best candidate experience remote interviewing process.
Get hang of basic technical interviewing best practices
In today’s aggressive tech talent market, one blow or error during the process is enough to turn away interested candidates. While conducting remote interviews, it’s important that you are technically sound with basic technical interviewing practices. Being prepared for the remote interview not only guarantees the success of the interview, but it also ensures your candidate that you’re prioritizing their interest in working as a remote member of your company. Remember, the key to conducting remote interviews is your tech choices.
Use a skill’s assessment test before connecting
You don’t want to waste your time connecting to everyone and conducting interview for all the applicants. Especially for high volume roles, conducting a skills assessment test will filter the number of applicants and help you quickly choose applicants that should move on to the video interview stage.
Connect with the candidate
After filtering it time to connect with candidates, first thing to communicate them clearly whether the interview will be a phone or video interview. Make sure the candidate understands this because no one would like to log into the interview and find that it’s a video interview, when they thought it was only by phone. While interviewing remotely, you won’t get the opportunity to create an in-person connection with the candidate so, it’s crucial that you stay connected to the candidate throughout the interview process.
This is why it is so important to value remote communication tools, not only with your active remote employees but also during the interview process as well. Don’t just stick to one communication tools, be adapted with different tools. Also, make sure to send across any software needed, along with instructions on how to download and set up the program. Some common programs which can be used are Google Hangouts, Skype, and GoToMeeting.
Create a distraction free remote interviewing environment
During remote interviewing, don’t leave any space for interruptions. To prevent Wi-Fi failure, get an Ethernet cord and use a hardwired internet connection during interviews. To prevent any other online interruptions, put notifications from other apps on mute. Also, make sure that there is no source of bright light behind you, as it makes it difficult for you to be seen on camera. Even though you cannot control the candidate’s interview environment, it is considered best to email them prior, advising them on how to take the interview in a distraction-free environment with stable internet connection.
Practice makes man perfect
This is just not a saying, if you don’t have expertise hiring remote workers, there is a possibility of some bug fixing in your remote hiring. Make sure your interviewing program is working properly. Also test your microphone level to ensure you are heard. Prepare a few necessary interview question lists and run through them and practice it a few times.
Wrap it up
Working remote is exploding in popularity and now with the pandemic era it has become a necessity until things become normal. It is a proven fact that remote working boosts the flexibility and freedom of employees and employers alike. But learning how to steer through this new business model is difficult. Particularly, interviewing and hiring remote employees requires learning a new skill-set. Practicing the above discussed tips can help take your interviewing skills to the next level and put your best professional foot forward, and ultimately find the best candidate for your open position.
For more info, Contact Pragna Solutions for your all RPO Recruiting needs.