How to Hire Virtually During COVID

How to Hire Virtually During COVID

When you’re hiring a new team member, meeting them in person is a big part of the process. You’re not just looking for skill, but also for organizational fit, personality, and the energy a person brings to a role.

During the pandemic, video interviews have taken over. With no end to COVID insight, HRs are learning how to hire virtually, a trend that’s likely to continue in the coming months. If the concept is new to you or you’re still struggling to make the transition work, these best practices can help:

1. Confirm the Interview 24 Hours Prior
To preserve your time, it’s a good idea to send an interview confirmation to the candidate 24 hours in advance. This allows them to confirm their attendance and know how to access the interview ahead of time.

2. Test Your Technology
Make sure you know how to use your remote interview tools. Not all video apps and tools function the same, nor are they always intuitive. Spend some time testing the different features and functions so you can feel confident during the interview.

Set yourself up for success and hop on the call early so you can make sure your built-in camera or webcam is up and running and you are familiar with the mute button, record button, and screen sharing if necessary. Remember, candidates are also “interviewing” you during this process, and you could end up scaring off good ones if you can’t use your technology.

It’s also a good idea to do a dry run to test for lighting and sound. Ideally, you’ll choose a well-lit area so the candidate can see you clearly. Many HR professionals working from home will also choose a professional virtual background, or at the very least, make sure they do the interview in a clean, tidy space.

3. Record the Interview (and Tell the Candidate)
One of the advantages of using video tools for remote interviews is the ability to record the entire process. However, if you choose to do this, tell the candidate they’re being recorded to avoid any privacy issues.

Recording the interview is a great way to compare candidates side by side (especially when many things are equal between them). It lets you rely on more than just your notes and can help you recall things you might have glossed over in the initial interview.

4. Take the Pressure Off
If you’re feeling less than confident about virtual hiring, remember that your candidate may be feeling the same. They may have kids, pets, family members, or other distractions in the background that wouldn’t normally impact their interview.

This is new territory for many people. Try to be understanding and look beyond the abnormal circumstances. May the best candidate win!

For more insights on virtual hiring and remote work, head back to our blog page.

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