Remote interviews are becoming more common as companies embrace the benefits of working from home. However, conducting an interview online can pose some challenges and require some adjustments. Here are some tips on how to do interviews with the hire remotely and what tools and best practices to use.
1. Choose the right platform. Depending on the type of interview and the role you are hiring for, you may want to use different platforms for remote interviews. For example, you may use a video conferencing tool like Zoom or Skype for a live interview, a coding platform like HackerRank or Codility for a technical assessment, or a personality test like Myers-Briggs or DISC for a behavioral evaluation. Make sure you choose a platform that is reliable, secure, and easy to use for both you and the candidate.
2. Prepare in advance. Remote interviews require more preparation than in-person ones. You need to test your equipment, internet connection, and platform before the interview. You also need to send the candidate clear instructions on how to join the interview, what to expect, and what to prepare. You may also want to send them some information about your company culture, values, and goals to help them get a sense of your organization.
3. Set the tone and rapport. Remote interviews can feel less personal and more formal than in-person ones. Therefore, it is important to set a friendly and professional tone from the start. Greet the candidate warmly, introduce yourself and your role, and thank them for their time and interest. You may also want to break the ice with some small talk or a casual question before diving into the interview questions.
4. Ask relevant and structured questions. Remote interviews can be more difficult to gauge the candidate's skills, personality, and fit for the role. Therefore, you need to ask relevant and structured questions that can help you assess their qualifications, motivation, and potential. You may want to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to ask behavioral questions that can reveal how they handled past situations related to the job. You may also want to ask open-ended questions that can elicit their opinions, values, and goals.
5. Give feedback and follow up. Remote interviews can leave the candidate feeling uncertain about their performance and status. Therefore, you need to give them feedback and follow up after the interview. You may want to thank them again for their time and interest, summarize the main points of the interview, and let them know what the next steps are and when they can expect to hear from you. You may also want to ask them if they have any questions or concerns and address them accordingly.
Conclusion:
Remote interviews are a great way to find and hire talent from anywhere in the world. However, they require some adjustments and preparation to ensure a smooth and effective process. By following these tips and using the right tools and best practices, you can conduct remote interviews with confidence and success.
FAQs:
Q: How long should a remote interview last?
A: The length of a remote interview depends on the type of interview and the role you are hiring for. However, a general rule of thumb is to keep it between 30 minutes to an hour. This can help you avoid fatigue, boredom, or technical issues that may arise from longer sessions.
Q: How do you evaluate a remote interview?
A: The evaluation of a remote interview should be based on the same criteria as an in-person one. You should consider the candidate's skills, experience, personality, fit for the role and the company culture. You may also want to use a rating scale or a scoring system to compare different candidates objectively.
Q: How do you avoid distractions during a remote interview?
A: To avoid distractions during a remote interview, you should choose a quiet and comfortable place where you can focus on the conversation. You should also turn off any notifications or alerts on your devices that may interrupt you or distract you from the candidate. You should also ask the candidate to do the same and respect their time and attention.