While companies are taking the necessary steps to prioritize the health and safety of their workforces through social distancing, and work from home policies, finding and acquiring top talent will remain a priority for forward-leaning companies.
To keep world-class candidates in the pipeline and provide an excellent candidate experience, talent acquisition teams are changing their typical operations to rely on phone and video interviews.
Having conducted thousands of interviews over the phone and via video conference, LevelUP has four essential tips to ensure your interview runs smoothly and is insightful for both parties.
Test Technology Ahead of Time and Outline Clear Instructions to Candidates
Even if you have used your conferencing platform in your office, give it a test run from your current location as some of the settings may be different. Testing ahead of time also allows you to check your audio quality and picture quality. You want to avoid areas that echo and have strong backlight that will make it difficult to hear and see you. If you’re concerned about ambient noise, test a pair of headphones with microphone and have them ready as well.
[PRO TIP: Know how to mute and pause video in the event that you get interrupted or need to step away from your computer.]
At LevelUP, we arrange for our interviews through a product called HighFive, but other great video conferencing platforms include: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts. And, good news! Some of these providers are offering discounted or extended free trials to help professionals work from home.
Prepare and Conduct Your Interview as You Would in Person
What does this mean? First, dress professionally and maintain professional demeanor. While it may be tempting to be informal since you’re working from home, it’s important to set the tone and reflect the company’s culture. That said, be as warm and welcoming as you in person. Studies have shown that even when on the phone, a smile can be detected and deciphered by the person on the other end.
Have notes or questions ready to ask. And, be sure you give the candidate your full, undivided attention. Close your phone and other apps on your computer so you are not tempted to read that incoming text message, email, or news alert.
Highlight Your Company Culture
A benefit of in-person interviews is that you can “show off” your company culture and candidates can get a sense of your work environment. Prior to your virtual interview, jot down a few notes on what makes your company different from others with specific examples of how those differentiators are brought to life at the office. Share what the type of work environment and space they can expect. In addition, if a candidate will work on-site, they will be interested to know about public transportation and nearby amenities like gyms or great lunch spots.
Be Understanding
With schools and childcare closing, you and/or your candidate may be working near their children and pets. Be forgiving of small interruptions and pick up where the conversation left off. Your response to these scenarios shows your company’s consideration of work-life balance and willingness to adapt!
As we adjust to this (new) normal, remember that regardless of how you chose to conduct interviews, it is critical to keep your talent pipeline engaged and informed of your company’s process. If you need any assistance in maintaining your recruitment program or have questions around best practices, please email us at huddleup@levelup.com. We are happy to help!
