How to conduct great video interviews

How to conduct great video interviews

While you may not be able to interview in person right now, technology offers the next best thing – video conferencing - which can be used very effectively for conducting interviews. It may at first seem strange to be talking to a camera and computer screen instead having someone sit across the desk from you, but once you’re used to it, you’ll probably agree that it’s one of the most efficient ways to conduct business.

If this is all new for you, here are our top tips for conducting great video interviews with candidates:

Before the interview:

Decide what video platform you want to use. If you wish to record the interview then you’ll want to look at Zoom, Skype or Google Hangouts. These are all have free basic packages and enable multiple people to participate at the same time. Another option is Microsoft’s Teams but this is a paid App. If you don’t wish to record and plan on conducting a more informal one-on-one interview you could also use Whatsapp video calling.

Test your system. Most video conferencing platforms can be installed on a PC, tablet or mobile phone. Once you have the app downloaded, test your speaker, camera and microphone settings as well as your internet speed to make sure that you can conduct the interview without glitches or delays. Do a test call with a colleague or family member so that you can become familiar with the platform you want to use.

Create an interview space. Just as you would reserve a conference room for conducting an interview at the office, you need a quiet space to have the video interview. When testing your camera, check to make sure there are no objects in the background you wouldn’t want on display during the video. (Dirty dishes, underwear or general mess)

Prepare. This is no different from what you would do if interviewing in person. Review the candidate’s CV and prepare a list of questions to ask. Also consider what questions the candidate might ask and have information on the company and position prepared. Finally, send an online invitation and check to see that the candidate has responded and confirmed the scheduled time in the calendar.

During the interview:

Eliminate distractions: Try find a space with minimal background noise and close the door to the room where you’re conducting the interview. Also ask family members not to disturb you.

Record the interview: This is useful as the recording can be played back or shared with other decision makers. You might forget some responses, but having recording can help you evaluate the interview in more detail.

Be professional. Dress smartly for the interview, this shows respect for the candidate. Start the interview on time and initiate the conversation by introducing yourself and/or others, and talking through the interview process so that they know what to expect. Refer to your notes as this will help you stay on track and complete the interview in a timely manner. End the interview by letting the candidate know what the next steps are and when they can expect to hear back from you.

After the interview:

Save the recording: Immediately download the recording and save it in a specific folder to that it is easy to find at a later stage. Share the recording with other decision makers if needed.

Follow up: Consult with other decision makers, use video calling for this to facilitate the process. Get back to the candidate via email or phone within a short time frame. This will help you secure the best candidate for the role. If a second interview is required, schedule this as soon as possible.

We trust that you will find this information useful. If you have any questions regarding conducting video interviews or require more guidance, our team will be happy to help you.