What Is a Virtual Job Interview?

Traditionally, when employers contacted potential candidates for interviews, they asked them to come into their offices for in-person interviews. At the office, employers would spend time getting to know job applicants, discovering their talents and skills, showing them the layout of the office and introducing them to potential future co-workers. Technological advancements, along with the popularity of telecommuting, make it possible, and oftentimes necessary, for employers to conduct virtual job interviews with potential candidates.

Conducting Virtual Interviews

Virtual interviews typically entail using video, and possibly instant messaging programs. When companies conduct virtual interviews, they use web-conferencing services such as Skype, HireVue, Hyier and InterviewStream. By using a computer with a built-in or external web camera, you and job candidates can communicate in real time. You can go hands free, while asking questions and receiving responses through video web-conferencing software.

Advantages

There are a variety of reasons to use virtual job interviewing to find candidates for your open positions. Many employers have adopted virtual interviews as a screening process, allowing them to weed out candidates who lack the skills or personality the company is looking for. You may conduct virtual interviews if the job candidates are in different states or countries. This is especially important if you are accustomed to flying multiple candidates to your location, and paying for their accommodations. You get the opportunity to gauge candidates' body language, and if you use instant messaging services, you can gauge their written communication skills. Some virtual interviewing programs allow you to record interviews, so that you can refer back to them later as you make hiring decisions.

Disadvantages of Virtual Interviews

Technology is not always reliable, so the day of your virtual interviews, you may encounter problems that make it difficult for you or your job candidiates to see or hear using the video web-conferencing software. You also may have issues with Internet connectivity or lag in the video web-conferencing program. When employees are interviewed virtually, they miss touring your physical location, the chance to interact with potential co-workers and may not grasp your company culture. Employees also may portray one personality on video but appear timid or less enthusiastic in person, and vice versa.

Preparing for the Interview

Prepare for a virtual interview similarly to how you would prepare for an in-person interview. Wear professional business attire, or dress in a manner that fits your company culture, while job candidates should always wear business interview attire such as a suit, or a blouse with a skirt or pants. Avoid wearing large distracting jewelry and bright colors, as with an in-person interview.
Check your video web conferencing software to make sure your microphone and camera are working, and encourage your interviewee to do the same, at least 30 minutes before the interview start. Rehearse the questions you plan to ask, remember to stare directly into the camera and sit up straight. Remove any clutter from the area where you plan to conduct your interview, and ensure that the lighting allows the job candidate to clearly see your face. Pass these tips along to your job candidates at least a week prior to the interview.

References

• “Inc.” Magazine; Hiring By Video; Christina DesMarais; April 2011
• The Ladders; How to Prepare for a Video-Conference Interview; Karl Rozemeyer; December 2009
• “The New York Times”; The Job Interview, Starrnig Your Avatar; Matt Villano; February 2008
• Monster Thinking; Job Interviews -- Tips for the Virtual Interview; Charles Purdy
• Monster; Recruitment Strategies -- Virtual Recruitment Tools and Tactics; Melanie Berkowitz