Learn how to conduct virtual interviews that attract and assess talent in a remote setting. Follow these tips and best practices for online interviewing.

I had an interviewer who emailed the questions ahead of time, dropped them in the chat at the start of the call, and offered the opportunity to pause or turn camera off during the call if needed. This is a great way to level the playing field for candidates, especially those who might get nervous thinking of answers on the spot. It also allows them to think critically to best sell themselves and avoid any overlap in answers.

How can you conduct fair and engaging virtual interviews?

Virtual interviews have become the norm for many recruiters and hiring managers, especially during the pandemic. But how can you ensure that your online interactions with candidates are fair, engaging, and effective? In this article, we will share some tips and best practices for conducting virtual interviews that can help you attract and assess talent in a remote setting.

1 Plan ahead

Before you invite candidates to a virtual interview, make sure you have a clear and consistent process for each role and stage. Define the goals, criteria, and questions for each interview, and communicate them to your team and the candidates. Choose a reliable and user-friendly platform for the video calls, and test it beforehand. Send the candidates the link, the agenda, and the expectations for the interview, and ask them to confirm their availability and technical readiness.

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Matt Parkin, CAPM®

Leading partnerships @ Fulfil (eCommerce ERP) 🤝 | Coaching and speaking about all things personal branding and entrepreneurship 🗣️ | 4x Founder 🧩 | FoundersBeta 30 Under 30 🚀
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I had an interviewer who emailed the questions ahead of time, dropped them in the chat at the start of the call, and offered the opportunity to pause or turn camera off during the call if needed. This is a great way to level the playing field for candidates, especially those who might get nervous thinking of answers on the spot. It also allows them to think critically to best sell themselves and avoid any overlap in answers.

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2 Create rapport

One of the challenges of virtual interviews is to establish rapport and trust with the candidates, who may feel more nervous or disconnected in a remote setting. To overcome this, try to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the start. Introduce yourself and your role, and explain the purpose and format of the interview. Use open-ended questions and active listening skills to encourage the candidates to share their stories and opinions. Smile, nod, and maintain eye contact as much as possible, and avoid distractions or interruptions.

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Stephen Telford

Helping people get Hired | Reverse Recruiter 💻 | Former AWS Recruiter| LinkedIn's Top Recruiting Voice x 2 🔊 | Professional CV Writer 📝 | Job Search Strategist 🚀 | Job Seeker Advocate | Former British Army 🇬🇧
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Here are some key practices to follow: 1. Standardise the interview process 2. Use video conferencing tools 3. Communicate clearly with candidates 4. Create a professional setting 5. Establish rapport and engage candidates 6. Use structured interview questions 7. Active listening and non-verbal cues 8. Allow for interactive discussions 9. Provide equal opportunities 10. Assess job-related skills 11. Wrap up and address questions 12. Provide feedback and follow-up By implementing the above practices, you can conduct fair and engaging virtual interviews that allows you to assess candidates effectively while providing a positive experience for all participants.

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3 Assess skills and fit

Virtual interviews can be an effective way to evaluate the candidates' skills and fit for the role and the organization, as long as you use relevant and objective methods. Depending on the position, you may want to use behavioral, situational, or technical questions, or ask the candidates to complete a task or a case study. Use a structured scoring system or a rubric to rate the candidates' responses and performance, and avoid biases or stereotypes. Ask for examples and evidence of their achievements and challenges, and how they align with your values and culture.

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Dorcas Njuguna

Executive Leadership Trainer|Consultant|Founder
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To conduct fair and engaging virtual interviews: ensure equal access to technology, use consistent questions, create a friendly atmosphere, ask behavioral/situational questions, avoid biases, assess skills practically, manage time effectively, seek feedback, and notify candidates promptly.

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4 Engage and inform

Another challenge of virtual interviews is to keep the candidates engaged and informed throughout the process. To do this, try to make the interview interactive and conversational, and avoid monologues or lectures. Give the candidates feedback and appreciation for their answers and efforts, and invite them to ask questions and share their concerns. Provide them with clear and honest information about the next steps, the timeline, and the expectations. Follow up with them after the interview, and update them on their status and progress.

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Thomas Woodhams

Senior Talent Acquisition Partner @ Hawk-Eye🏸 | Job Search & Careers Advice | 🧠 ADHD Support & Tips | Guest Speaker |🎙Be.You Podcast Host
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Ask the candidates if they want resonable adjustments. Any good recruiter or an understanding recruiter will be able to make a candidate feel comfortable talking about any Neurodistinc adjustments. I talk about my ADHD all the time, not cause I want to just help others so other people feel comfortable speaking about it. This means that everyone can have a fair interview and if something needs changing like, the interview question typed out instead of spoken to them directly, these are the things that help people grow and give other people a fair chance. Simples.

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5 Adapt and improve

Finally, virtual interviews are an opportunity to adapt and improve your recruiting practices, as you learn from your experience and feedback. After each interview, review your notes and ratings, and compare them with your team members. Discuss what went well and what could be improved, and identify any gaps or issues in your process or platform. Ask the candidates for their feedback and suggestions, and thank them for their participation. Use the data and insights you collect to refine your virtual interviewing skills and strategies.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Nilesh Ghai

Co-Founder and CEO | Transforming Human Resources with AI
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IMO a powerful virtual interview goes beyond just evaluating the candidate—it's an opportunity to showcase your organization, build rapport, and leave a positive impression that can influence the candidate's decision. A few areas which have worked very well for me while conducting virtual interview are; Active Listening: I listen attentively to the candidate's responses. Clear Communication: I avoid using jargon or complex terminology that might confuse the candidate. Tell Stories: I mostly share anecdotes and stories about the company culture, team dynamics, or successful projects. Use Behavioral Questions: I often ask situational or behavioral questions that require candidates to provide specific examples from their past experiences.

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How can you conduct fair and engaging virtual interviews?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Plan ahead

2 Create rapport

3 Assess skills and fit

4 Engage and inform

5 Adapt and improve

6 Here’s what else to consider

Recruiting

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How can you conduct fair and engaging virtual interviews?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Plan ahead

2 Create rapport

3 Assess skills and fit

4 Engage and inform

5 Adapt and improve

6 Here’s what else to consider

Recruiting

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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