As the pandemic continues to limit our face-to-face interactions and companies are hiring more remote workers, video interviews are becoming increasingly popular.
And since video interviews aren’t going away anytime soon, it’s important for us to know the best practices when conducting them.
Below are 5 tips you can use to become a master of video interviews and give your candidates a positive experience.
Make sure all of your equipment is working properly before the interview. This includes your camera, microphone, speakers, and internet connection.
And although we can do our best to prepare for video interviews in advance, sometimes technical difficulties happen that are beyond our control. Have the candidate’s phone number easily accessible in case there are connection problems.
Background noises can be very distracting for a nervous candidate in an interview. Set them up for success by minimizing sounds that could potentially disrupt their train of thought.
Try to find a quiet space that is secluded from other people. Be sure to silence your phone calls and mute any computer notifications that may come through.
Be aware of what the candidate can see in your background and ensure that nothing is inappropriate. If you’re working from home, don’t have any items in the shot that you wouldn’t place in your office at work. Have a clean and tidy space.
Make sure the space is well-lit and that there are no distracting shadows. A great way to guarantee good lighting is to face a window with indirect sunlight coming through.
For those of us working from home, the dress code has undoubtedly been more casual than in the office. And although you may think you can get away with wearing a nice dress shirt and rocking pajamas from the waist down, you don’t want to take the risk. It’s best to dress as professionally as you would for an in-person interview, from head to toe.
You may be nervous on camera but remember that the candidate is likely even more nervous! Put them at ease and make the experience more comfortable by putting on a friendly face.
