Virtual job interviews refer to the process of conducting interviews remotely using digital platforms, such as video interview software, which offers convenience and flexibility for both employers and candidates when done right.
As remote work continues to shape the job market, virtual interviewing is now the new norm for organizations seeking to attract top talent. The virtual interview process enables employers to tap into a broader pool of potential candidates, overcoming geographic barriers and facilitating the identification of the ideal fit for every role.
This article aims to help hiring managers understand the benefits of virtual interviews and provide best practices for making informed decisions and achieving success with this new candidate screening format.
Benefits of Video Interviewing
Many hiring managers have incorporated video interview software into their recruiting toolkit to make the entire process easier, quicker, and more convenient for recruiters and candidates alike.
The important role interviews play in the hiring process cannot be overstated, as they are essential for assessing candidates' qualifications, cultural fit, and overall suitability for the position.
Benefit #1. Save Time and Increase Efficiency
Given the fact that it takes an average of 42 days to fill a position with traditional in-person interviews, video interviewing can help speed up this process and save your recruiting team massive amounts of time by limiting the time they spend talking to unqualified candidates.
By conducting virtual meetings with candidates, hiring managers can avoid the logistical challenges and delays associated with face-to-face interviews, such as coordinating travel and booking meeting rooms. Video call platforms make it possible to conduct multiple live virtual interviews in a single day. Moreover, with one-way video interviews, employers can record and reuse a set of interview questions for each role, allowing them to save significant amount of time and quickly move forward with the most promising candidates.
Given the ability to record and review video interviews at any time of virtual interview tech, employers also gain the flexibility to revisit candidate responses and thereby make more informed decisions.
Benefit #2. Eliminate Scheduling Issues
Scheduling interviews can often be a major hurdle in the hiring process, especially when trying to coordinate face-to-face interviews with busy candidates and hiring managers. Virtual interviews eliminate many of these headaches by offering greater scheduling flexibility for everyone involved.
Candidates and hiring managers can easily find a convenient time based on their mutual calendar availability to connect, regardless of their location or time zone. This is particularly beneficial for out-of-town candidates who may not be able to travel for an in-person interview, making the process more accessible and inclusive. Moreover, it reduces time to fill, enhances the candidate experience, and decreases the likelihood of a candidate dropping out of the process due to scheduling issues.
Benefit #3. Widen Candidate Pool
Another standout advantage of virtual interviews is the ability to reach more candidates. This interview format allows companies to attract and assess talent who might otherwise be unable to participate due to distance or travel constraints. As a result, the hiring process becomes more inclusive and competitive, giving organizations access to a wider range of talent and increasing the likelihood of finding the ideal candidate for every role. This expanded reach is valuable for many organizations, particularly those seeking specialized skills or looking to build diverse teams.
Benefit #4. Improve Quality of Hire
Consequently, by expanding access to a broader and more diverse pool of candidates, virtual interviews can significantly improve the quality of hire. Employers are no longer limited by geography and can connect with top talent from around the world, increasing the chances of finding the best fit for the job.
Additionally, online interviews help improve your hiring outcomes by allowing you to read body language and non-verbal cues, thus giving you a better sense of whether the candidate is a good fit for a role than you would get on a phone screen.
Benefit #5. Standardize the Interview Process
Virtual interview software offers a powerful way to ensure that every candidate is evaluated fairly and consistently. By using this technology, employers can ask the same set of video interview questions to all candidates and apply uniform evaluation criteria, thereby reducing the risk of bias and subjectivity. This level of consistency is challenging to achieve with traditional in-person interviews, where different interviewers may ask varying questions or focus on different aspects of a candidate’s background.
Employers can also utilize standardized rating systems and virtual interview evaluation tools to compare candidates side by side and identify the most qualified individuals. Ultimately, this approach helps create a more equitable and transparent hiring process for everyone involved.
Benefit #6. Invite Collaboration between Recruiters and Hiring Managers
Virtual interviews can also increase collaboration between TAs and recruiting managers, as well as the entire hiring team. The hiring team can easily share candidate recordings and feedback, making the evaluation process more efficient.
While recruiters might not have the industry expertise to ask candidates technical questions, video interviews allow them to pre-define technical questions. Candidates’ recorded virtual interview answers can then be shared with hiring managers to better determine an applicant’s fit for a certain position.
A well-prepared interview panel can provide comprehensive feedback and ensure a transparent and informed online interview process.
Benefit #7. Engage Passive Candidates
Many companies miss out on talented applicants when they disregard passive candidates in their recruiting process. While these passive candidates are not actively seeking a new job, they might be open to exploring a new opportunity at your company, but finding time for an in-person interview or phone screen during business hours may be too difficult if they are currently employed.
Video interviewing solves this issue by creating a convenient interview experience that allows you to engage and attract these passive candidates. Since they can create videos in their own home at a time that is convenient for them, passive candidates can easily become applicants. Conducting video interviews with passive candidates helps you expand your talent pool and keeps you from missing out on the talent you’re looking for.
Benefit #8. Improve the Candidate Experience
Online interviews also play a role in enhancing the candidate experience. Being able to choose the time and location of their interview not only helps those who have to work their schedule around their current job, but can also make all candidates feel more comfortable, focused, and relaxed, so they can concentrate on performing better. Maintaining appropriate eye contact during virtual interviews is important, as it helps candidates demonstrate engagement and professionalism even through a screen.
Video interviews also alleviate many of the stressors associated with in-person interviews, such as being able to find the office or arriving on time. Instead of worrying about these factors, candidates can just focus their energy on presenting themselves in the best possible light. While some nonverbal cues may be harder to read virtually, candidates can still convey confidence and sincerity through their body language.
Benefit #9. More Reliable Candidate Evaluations
If you’re conducting a lot of interviews, it can be challenging to remember which candidate said what. With video interviews, it’s easy to compare candidates’ responses in real-time and see which candidates stand out. Having the interviews in video form also makes it easier to have multiple people review them, which can reduce the potential for hiring bias.
Benefit #10. Relatively More Cost-Effective Than In-Person Interviews
Virtual interviews are a cost-effective alternative to traditional in-person interviews, as they eliminate travel expenses for both candidates and employers. In fact, video interviews can save up to 67% on travel costs compared to conventional recruitment techniques.
As mentioned earlier, virtual interviews also save time, allowing talent acquisition managers to conduct interviews back-to-back without the downtime associated with in-person meetings. The result is a more efficient hiring process that reduces overall recruitment expenses and allows companies to allocate resources where they matter most.
Best Practices for Conducting Virtual Interviews
Best practices for conducting online interviews that ensure a smooth and engaging experience for both interviewers and candidates include:
Choosing the Right Video Interview Platform
Selecting the right platform is a crucial step in ensuring your virtual interviews run smoothly and professionally. With so many options available, hiring managers should prioritize platforms that are user-friendly, reliable, and compatible with a variety of devices.
Leading solutions like Jobma, BarRaiser, and VidCruiter are popular choices for conducting virtual interviews, thanks to their high-quality video and audio, as well as features like screen sharing, recording, and virtual whiteboards. These tools help minimize technical difficulties and keep the interview process focused on the candidate, not the technology.
When choosing a platform, consider the needs of both interviewers and candidates:
- Do you need one-way video interviews, two-way video interviews, or both?
- What are your security requirements?
- What type of integrations are you looking for?
- Do you need the platform to have native assessment features? Or dedicated tools for technical interviews?
- Is the platform friendly towards interviewees? What support is available for both you and the candidates?
Having The Right Technical Setup for Online Interviews
To ensure a great virtual interview experience, it’s important to have the right technical setup in place. Before conducting virtual interviews, it’s a good idea to test all equipment and the internet connection to address any potential issues ahead of time. Additionally, choosing a quiet, private space free from distractions will help both parties stay focused and present their best selves.
Structuring the Virtual Interview for Success
The interviewer should be well-prepared, knowledgeable about the role, and actively engaged throughout the process to facilitate effective communication and create a positive experience for candidates.
Hiring managers should outline the topics to be covered and prepare a set of interview questions tailored to the role. This structure helps keep the video calls organized and ensures that all relevant areas are addressed. It’s also advised to allow time for candidates to share their experiences, ask questions, and discuss their fit for the position.
Showcasing Company Culture in a Virtual Setting
While virtual interviews may not provide the same physical presence as face-to-face ones, they still offer a valuable opportunity to highlight your workplace culture.
Many modern video interview solutions allow users to share videos, presentations, or virtual office tours that give candidates a sense of the organization’s values and work environment, which enables candidates to experience the company’s culture firsthand, even from a distance.
Additionally, virtual meetings can support onboarding and ongoing communication after the hiring process, helping new employees stay engaged and connected with the team.
