Online job interview: tips for recruiting
No one should attend an interview in pyjamas or jogging bottoms. This also applies to an online job interview. In this article, you can find out how to behave appropriately in recruitment despite the physical distance and how to select the right employees.
Preparation for the online job interview
Prepare for the interview as if it were a personal interview. Take a close look at the candidate’s application documents in advance. If necessary, make notes of any questions or uncertainties that you would like to clarify during the interview.
Also plan the time frame and schedule for the online job interview. It is always helpful if you have a small agenda to guide you.
The advantages and disadvantages of the digital job interview
Video calls have now become firmly established in companies. However, this can also lead to some problems. For this reason, you will find some advantages and disadvantages of virtual interviews below.
Advantages
Extended recruiting radius: Applicants who live far away can be invited. Physical distance is no longer a criterion for exclusion.
Low costs: Travel and accommodation costs for applicants are eliminated.
Simple interview planning: It is easier to find appointments, as there is no need to travel.
High feel-good factor: Applicants feel safe within their own four walls and are therefore less nervous. This can have a positive effect on the interviews.
Disadvantages
No personal impression: Applicants do not have the opportunity to feel the atmosphere on site in the office. This may lead to cultural disappointment and even a drop-out afterwards.
Technology: Both you and the candidates are dependent on technology during the online interview. Disruptions and internet problems can always occur.
Starting a conversation: It’s not always easy to get the conversation started. In the past, you could ask how the journey was, but this is no longer the case. Such small talk serves to lighten the mood at the beginning and is not necessary here.
Lack of body language: Facial expressions and gestures are important for the candidate’s overall impression. In a digital interview, however, many things can only be guessed at.
The do’s & don’ts of the online job interview
At the beginning, a job interview via video is a new and unfamiliar situation. This can be very disconcerting for both the recruiter and the candidate.
For this very reason, we have compiled some interesting dos and don’ts for you below.
These are the do′s for a digital interview
Let’s start with the do’s and don’ts of an online job interview.
Guide your candidates digitally through the office
Unfortunately, due to the current situation, candidates do not have the opportunity to get to know the office. But you can also give applicants an insight virtually.
You should preferably be in the office during the interview and can show the candidate some of the rooms. Point out the diversity of your office and show them open-plan and individual offices, as well as meeting rooms or your lounge.
Show the applicant the team
It is also great if you can already introduce the applicant to your team. Colleagues don’t have to be in the office for this. It also works if you connect them from the home office via video chat.
This not only gives you the opportunity to get to know the candidates, but also the entire team. After all, everyone has to work together with the new colleague in the end.
Gain a personal impression
Normally, recruiters can learn a lot about the facial expressions and gestures of candidates. However, this is more than difficult with video calls.
You can therefore use targeted questions to find out more about the applicant’s personality and soft skills.
Such questions about reactions are, for example:
- Have you ever had conflicts with colleagues and how did you resolve them?
- What is your reaction when a team member is against one of your ideas?
The don’ts of the virtual interview
Here you will find the don’ts of the digital job interview.
Being unpunctual
Punctuality is generally a very important recruiting topic. However, it is particularly noticeable in a personal online interview if you arrive 5 minutes late.
Every minute that the candidate sits alone in front of the screen and waits counts. Being unpunctual suggests to the other person that the appointment with them is not that important. It is also simply impolite and unprofessional. And this is not how you want to present yourself or your company.
Being “absent”
Staring absent-mindedly at the screen or obviously doing something else in the meantime, such as reading and answering emails, is also an absolute no-go during an online job interview.
Instead, you should really actively listen to what the other person has to say. Respond with questions and actively address the applicant’s statements.
Getting started with application questions
The small talk in video calls is usually a little shorter, but you should not start the interview directly with strenuous application questions.
It is much more important that you first let the candidate arrive in the virtual room and allow them to adjust to the situation.
Accordingly, start by asking casual questions about how the day has gone so far. The way the candidate answers and talks will also show you whether they really fit into the company.
Online job interview: this is what matters
In terms of content, a virtual interview is no different from a face-to-face interview. Nevertheless, there are a few things you should pay attention to.
The technology must be right
In times of video calls, technology is probably the be-all and end-all. You are both dependent on a functioning camera and a microphone.
The tool you use for the call must also work. A stable Internet connection is also required.
It may also be the case that applicants are not familiar with the tool you are using. It is therefore advisable to send them a brief instruction on how to dial into the call in advance.
Pay attention to your body language / facial expressions
The importance of body language and facial expressions has already been mentioned several times in this article. But also how complicated it is to recognize them in a video call.
But even a smile can take the applicant’s attention away so that he opens up more. It is also important that you actively listen to him and respond to him.
Background & Clothing
Good clothing is also part of a job interview. In some industries, a shirt, tie or, for women, a dress with a blazer are the norm. Dress as if you were going to the office. Simply reflect the culture of your company.
No one should show up to an online job interview in sweatpants and an old shirt. You certainly expect the same from your candidates. They should not appear in washed-out and stained clothes.
Backgrounds are just as important. It is possible to set funny underwater worlds or other funny motifs as a background. However, you should not do this in a digital job interview. Make sure the background is tidy.
Identify & eliminate sources of interference
There are several sources of interference that can occur during a virtual interview. Flatmates, family members suddenly burst into the room or the doorbell rings. You can inform everyone in advance that no one is allowed to enter the room for the duration of the interview. It is also best to turn off the doorbell.
It also happens from time to time that chat messages arrive and emit loud signals. Switch off these notifications beforehand. They are distracting and can also leave a negative impression on the candidate.
We hope that you have now gained a good overview of the topic of online job interviews and wish you every success with your interviews in the future.
