6 Tips for Conducting Successful Remote Job Interviews

The interview is an essential part of the recruitment process.

Whether you’re hiring new employees on your own or working with digital staffing experts in Dubai to add more members to your team, interviewing applicants is a crucial stage that you shouldn’t take lightly.

This is because interviewing applicants plays a crucial role in helping you:

• Assess the capabilities, skills, potentials, and confidence levels of each applicant.

• Acquire more information from or verify them with the candidates.

• Build a connection with the applicants.

• Narrow down the most qualified and ideal talent who will fit your company culture.

• Explain your requirements and expectations from the candidates.

These outcomes can aid you in choosing the ideal candidate to fill your vacant position.

Best Tips for Interviewing Remote Candidates

Since interviewing is a critical part of screening and recruitment, you have to know how to go about this process correctly, particularly if you are doing it remotely.

If you’re accustomed to conducting traditional face-to-face interviews, handling a virtual one can pose some challenges for you.

However, with the right practices and tips, you can conduct a successful remote job interview even on your first try.

Below are some tips you can follow for conducting remote interviews effectively:

1. Ensure everything you need for the interview is working properly.

Conducting remote interviews entails relying on and using different types of tech tools.

First, you need to be connected to the Internet at all times during the interview. As such, check the stability of your Wi-Fi signal and ensure you won’t experience any issues that can hinder the flow of the conference.

Also, make sure you are familiar with the online conferencing tool you will use.

Familiarise yourself with the basic features of Zoom, Google Meet, or any other video communication platform you plan to use.

Also, take the time to test the video and audio quality of the tool to avoid awkward delays and frozen screens.

Make sure your laptop or tablet, camera, microphone, and headset, if you are using these, are working properly, and keep your charger nearby in case you need to charge your device.

2. Know the right remote job interviewing etiquette.

Although the interview won’t take place in your office, it doesn’t mean that you can look and act less professional than you usually do.

You can maintain the right level of professionalism while conducting the remote interview by:

• Keeping your background neutral and business-like. You can use a suitable virtual background if you’re not happy with the backdrop in your home office.

• Preparing everything you need for the interview, such as the candidate’s CV and your list of questions.

• Removing all obvious clutter from your desk, including your children’s toys and other personal items.

• Locking your door and turning off notifications on your phone, computer, and other devices to avoid or minimise distractions.

• Wearing something appropriate for the office or conducting interviews.

3. Let the candidates know what will happen during the interview.

Job interviews can be stressful for candidates, especially if they don’t know what to expect.

You can help reduce their anxieties and fears and make them more confident during the interview by giving them details about what will happen beforehand.

When emailing candidates about their interview schedules, share other information that they can use. These include the video conferencing tool they need to log on to and tips for using it.

Let them know if you will speak with them via a video call or audio only as well.

Lastly, share some handy remote interview tips with the candidates, such as having their CV on hand, finding a quiet space, and minimising distractions.

4. Be attentive and focused throughout the interview.

When conducting interviews through video conference, it can be easy to lose focus and get distracted.

Keep in mind that virtual interviews aren’t simple regular meetings. You have the important job of finding new employees for your company. Additionally, the applicants are looking for opportunities to advance their careers.

Because of this, you have to be respectful of everyone involved throughout the interview.

This means staying focused, listening proactively, and being patient and thoughtful in answering the candidate’s questions.

5. Assess candidates on factors that matter.

Even if your applicants take steps to prepare for a glitch-free remote interview, keep in mind that unexpected issues can always occur on video calls.

Because of this, don’t expect all virtual interviews to go as planned and avoid putting too much stock on the hitches that come up.

This means not letting small, irrelevant factors, such as ringing doorbells, barking dogs, and Wi-Fi issues influence your opinions of them.

These temporary, fleeting distractions can be annoying but ultimately have nothing to do with a candidate’s qualifications and potentials.

If an interview is disrupted due to an unstable Internet connection, consider asking the candidate to reschedule or finish speaking with them on the phone, particularly if you are impressed enough with their background and conversation.

6. Take time to talk about your company and culture.

Face-to-face job interviews give candidates the opportunity to see your company and team. They can start picturing themselves working in your workplace and alongside your current employees.

This is something candidates won’t be able to do when they go through virtual job interviews.

You can remedy this by providing the candidates details about your organisation. Describe the work environment and company culture and how your team operates.

Additionally, share what your organisation values are and how your company stands out from the others. Make your pitch to get your candidate excited about joining your team.

When you follow these tips, you will be able to conduct remote interviews that serve you, your organisation, and the candidates well every time.