Remote interviews often take place over the phone or via video chat instead of in person. You can do them with candidates already employed by another company or people living in a different city or country. It’s a great way to get information about potential candidates without cost.
In today’s digital age, hiring people who live far away is easier than ever. But as a hiring manager, you still need to be careful when interviewing remotely. With remote interviews, you can skip the time and expense of traveling to conduct an in-person interview, but you must find ways to ensure your candidate is honest with you.
If you’re hiring remotely, here are some dos and don’ts for conducting successful remote interviews:
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What Hiring Managers Should Do
Remote interviews can be a great way to hire the right people for your company. However, you must have a thorough understanding of what it takes to make such interviews successful. Here are some dos for doing just that:
- Do Check If You Need Specific Software
The first thing to do is check if you need specific software to manage the interview. This can be a huge time saver for hiring managers, as there may be multiple candidates for the same position, and it’s easy to get lost in the details.
Suppose you have a video interview platform like Hireflix that tracks everything from when people enter your system until they’re hired or shows you how to conduct remote interviews successfully. In that case, it’ll be much easier for you and your candidates.
- Do Prepare For The Interview
You should prepare for your remote interviews to get the most out of them. Before you start interviewing people, you must have a good understanding of what the role requires. This will help you ask relevant questions and focus on finding out if they’re the right fit for the position.
Additionally, it’s helpful to prepare an outline or list of questions, so you don’t forget anything during the interview.
- Do Minimize Distractions Around You
Communication is the key to an effective interview. You want to be able to pay attention to the person you’re talking to without being distracted by external factors.
If you’re in a loud environment or a busy place, it’s best to set up your interviews in a quiet location. Be sure to turn off all notifications on your phone and computer. This will help keep your interviewee focused on the conversation, not on what’s happening around you.
What Hiring Managers Should Not Do
The remote interview method is an excellent way to hire employees as it allows you to save time and resources. In some cases, it’s even more effective than in-person interviews. But there are some things you shouldn’t do if you want your interviews to go well.
- Do Not Show Up Late
Showing up late is a huge faux pas for any interview, but it’s especially unacceptable during remote interviews.
First, you’re making the candidate wait longer than they have to. They could have other things on their schedule. If you’re scheduled to talk with an applicant at 1:00 PM, don’t wait until 1:30 PM or later to start the call.
Second, this will make them feel neglected and unimportant, which isn’t what you want your potential new hires to feel after their first meeting with you. It’s disrespectful of the other person’s time and energy, which are crucial resources in the hiring process.
- Do Not Stop Paying Attention
Another thing to remember is that the interviewee will have no idea how long the interviews are supposed to last. They’re likely expecting a standard hour-long sit-down, but it could be shorter or longer if you use remote tools.
Regardless of how long you think you’ve been doing it, you probably won’t know when you’ve overextended. Ensure you set your stopwatch before starting an interview and that it’s visible to both parties involved so there aren’t any awkward moments.
- Do Not Interrupt
Interrupting is a common mistake that interviewers make, but it’s easy to avoid. It’s essential to listen to the candidate talk about their employment history and skillset so that you can learn more about them. If the applicant is talking about a skill or experience that seems relevant to the job, ask follow-up questions.
More often than not, when you interrupt someone halfway through their answer, it makes them feel rushed and disrespected—not great for a first impression. On the other hand, letting the candidate speak freely, answer questions candidly, and describe their past work experience without unnecessary interruption is an indication that mutual consideration and respect are part of your company culture.
Conclusion
As a hiring manager, the goal of your interview is to find the best person for the job. The best way to do this is by understanding the process, yourself, and the candidate. With all of the dos and don’ts above, you should be ready to conduct a successful remote interview. While finding the right person for the job can be challenging, you can achieve the best result with proper preparation.
