Remote Interview Hacks to Find the Best Talent

Remote work is here to stay

The writing is on the wall. Remote work is here to stay and will likely see an increase. 
 
According to this article by the Times of India, 82% of respondents admitted that they prefer working from home to going back to the office.
 
Remote and work-from-home options were forced upon us by the pandemic. But the last two years have seen a drastic change in the habits, aspirations, preferences and comfort of the working class. 
 
The pandemic has normalized remote work. 
 
Employees and organizations can equally benefit from this arrangement. 
 
Employees can have better work-life balance, more flexibility, saving on the commute, more independence, etc. On the other hand, organizations can have: 
  • Better productivity
  • Increased job satisfaction
  • Better retention
  • Access to a larger talent pool with no geographical constraints
  • Save on costs and expenditures (office spaces, supplies, maintenance, overheads, etc.)
So it only makes sense also to hire remotely. 
 
While a physical interview can help gauge the potential candidate, it might be harder to connect or get a 'feel' about the candidate virtually. But the pros outweigh the cons. Remote interviews can save time, and money and provide access to candidates who are not geographically close by or even in the same city. They also make the hiring process more objective and streamlined. 
 
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He shares  4 benefits of remote interviews: 
  • Video interviews allow the interviewer to more gracefully transition to the right question at the right time.
  • Better jotting down the details of the interview virtually and in real-time versus low fidelity notes and a mad scramble post-interview. 
  • Higher comfort level as candidates can interview from their home, this makes them less nervous and leads to them putting their best foot forward.
  • Not meeting a candidate in person eliminates a ton of bias (conscious and unconscious, positive and negative) and leads to a more objective interview and outcome.
 
So how can you plan for it?

Here are 5 hacks that can help you prep for a remote interview!

 

  1. Use the Right Technology 

                                                                             
 
Today, many online platforms allow for video calls, group meetings, etc. There is no best or perfect option, and you need to explore various options and choose the right one that fits your needs. It could be based on your comfort level, familiarity, cost, availability, etc. 
 
Based on your interview process, if you want to conduct a panel interview, ensure you choose a platform that allows multiple users simultaneously. You can also do a dry run to see how it works and familiarise everyone with the tools. A dry run can also help you check audio, light and microphone. 
 
Refrain from logging in from your mobile devices as it might not send the right message to the potential candidate. Connecting via a phone can look like you are doing this on the run or juggling other tasks. Sitting at your desk will set the right tone and communicate that you are making time for this interview. Prepare and present yourself as you would for a physical interview. 
 
And just in case, have a backup ready. 
 

  1. Set the Right Expectations

 
                                                                      
 
It might be your first remote interview or the candidate's, so it is better to set expectations ahead of time so that everyone is prepared. It would be a good idea to share these with the interview panel too. 
 
Decide on a few parameters: 
  • Would you like the camera on or off? Usually, seeing a person can help build better rapport than talking to a blank screen, and it might be doubly awkward if you turn on your camera and the candidate chooses not to. So, it is better to let them know ahead of time. 
  • Let the candidate know the expected run time of the interview and how many rounds you plan to conduct on a given day. 
  • Share the platform and online tool details with the candidate to download, install, and familiarise themselves with it to avoid awkward surprises. 
Lastly, share an email id or a phone number where the candidate can reach you if they face any trouble logging in for the interview. 
 

  1. Connect, Build Rapport (how to do it virtually)

                                                                     
 
Building rapport while virtually connecting can feel new and different from having an in-person interaction. 
 
Here are some things you can try: 
  • Use warm greetings
  • Keep your camera on
  • Engage in small talk before the actual interview
  • Ask questions and make it a dialogue 
  • Refrain from multitasking or looking away from the screen
 

  1. Be Prepared

                                                               


 
An interview process might require many different documents - the candidate's resume, your list of questions, decision parameters for selecting a candidate, offer letters, etc. 
 
Keeping all these papers handy is possibly easy in a physical setup. During a remote interview, ensure that you have all these files in one place. You do not want to lose time searching for files during an interview. 
 
Additionally, you might also need a word document or a notepad open to note your comments and presentations that you would like to share during the interview process. 
 

  1. Gauge Their Aspirations 

 
                                                                                                        
 
Every interview will gauge a potential candidate's functional and technical skill sets. But it is also essential to understand what motivates them, what are their dreams, and what they want to do in the long run. 
 
Understanding this can give you a deeper insight into their personality and provide you with an opportunity to match them perfectly to the roles you have. 
 
For example, if you are interviewing for a sales role and realise that the candidate is motivated more by closing deals than by generating leads, you might want to slot them accordingly. 
 

The FlexiBees Way: 

We understand that wading through many resumes and finding the right candidate can be taxing and frustrating. While some of us might be adept at it, it can be time-consuming too. 
 
If this process overwhelms you, then it would bode well to seek the assistance of experts in the field. 
 
                                                                               
FlexiBees has a large pool of 35K+ experienced and qualified women. We have a deep vetting process that matches the right candidate to your exact business needs. We will do all the grunt work for you and provide you with only the best three screened candidates for interviewing. This can help you save time and energy, and you are likely to find a suitable candidate easily. 
 
Click here to read some of the candidates we successfully placed in the recent past. 
 
And if you are convinced and want to explore the option of hiring flexible candidates via FlexiBees, click here to drop us a line.