As video messaging technology continues to become increasingly accessible on a worldwide basis, employers no longer have to rely on physical interviews to find the right candidate for the job.
The fact that face-to-face interviews can now be done across long distances with the help of video technology has opened up the field in terms of employers ability to recruit on an international basis, and means that they can use immigration ads to attract ideal candidates for hard-to-fill or highly-specialized positions from across the globe.
In addition, there are tons of great benefits to the video interview process that can make life easier for everybody involved.
They are superior to phone interviews in that they allow the interviewer to tap into visible cues like facial expressions and body language in order to get a better idea of the integrity of the candidate. In addition, nobody has to worry about spending unnecessary time or money in terms of travel, and the candidate can usually conduct this type of interview without having to take time off work or skip out on other obligations.
Another great benefit of conducting video interviews is that they can be recorded and played back later. This can be particularly helpful when a recruiter is in the process of narrowing down the field, and can help them verify the type of details that can be difficult to recall in a standard face-to-face interview.
That said, for all the great perks that come with conducting video interviews, there are also some downsides. If one or both parties doesn’t have access to a strong working internet connection, microphone or webcam this will obviously pose a major obstacle, and even if everybody is well-equipped, connectivity issues can still pop up unexpectedly that interrupt communication and slow down the entire process. In addition, factors like background noise and lighting can be difficult to control, and will often result in a lower-quality experience if not properly mitigated.
These types of issues can be especially frustrating for anybody who might be recruiting on an international basis since the PERM advertising process required to sponsor many categories of foreign national employees is complex, and as such, hiring decisions in this regard should not be taken lightly.
So, with all that in mind, this article is going to cover some helpful advice that recruiters and interviewers can put to work for them to ensure that their virtual interview process flows as smoothly as possible.
1. Choose the Right Location
When conducting a video interviewer, many people assume that any location will do. However, in order to minimize potential distractions, it is important to put some thought into where the interview will actually take place. The ideal is not only a quiet location, but also one that provides good lighting so that neither the sound quality nor the images projected onto the screen will be negatively affected.
The best candidates will not only be taking note of the type of questions that are asked during the interview, but also the background environment. After all, this is the only glance that they get of their potential future workplace, so it is important to make the right impression.
As such, try to choose a setting that looks visually appealing, but will also project the right type of sound quality. Plants can be very helpful in both these respects in that they not only convey a visually welcoming environment but also absorb sound in a way that will soften any annoying echoes. Placing a lamp near the screen will often help warm up the lighting and clarify the picture.
In addition to choosing the right space, it is also important to manage the potential for distractions by letting colleagues know exactly when and where the interview will take place so that they will not barge in or interfere. Always sit still to help ensure the best picture quality possible.
2. Do a Practice Run
The best candidates are hardly going to be impressed if an interviewer starts things off by wasting their time figuring out the technology and how to make it work, so it is always a good idea to do a trial run before the actual interview to make sure that the ins and outs of the tech are well understood and that everything is working well.
In addition, it is always best to use a laptop device of standard computer monitors to conduct an interview. It might seem convenient to reach for that phone or tablet, but these types of devices often lack the sophisticated features of an actual computer, and will be more likely to crash during the interview.
Do a test call with a friend or employee beforehand to make sure the volume is at an appropriate level and the video quality is good. Be sure to mitigate any issues they report beforehand so that all there will be to worry about when the interview starts is conducting the interview itself.
3. Dress the Part
Just because the interview is being conducted over video does not mean that it is okay for the interviewer to dress in an unprofessional manner. First impressions matter and the interviewer should take the care to dress in the same type of attire that they would wear for a person to person interviewer.
Don’t rely on the fact that the interviewer might not be able to see the whole outfit. It is very common for an interviewer to have to get up during the course of the interview, and revealing the fact they are only dressed up on top will hardly leave the right type of impression.
4. Create a Backup Plan
As previously mentioned, technical difficulties can be a major issue when conducting video interviews, and sometimes it is impossible to predict or prevent these types of problems from causing a major interruption.
This is why, when it comes to conducting virtual interviews, it is a must to have an agreed-upon backup plan already in place before the interview begins. This way, should technology become a problem, there will still be a way to communicate or at least reschedule when everything falls through.
As such, it is a must to have a candidate’s phone number and email so that they can be reached in the event that a video interview doesn’t work out.
To Sum It Up
Video interviews can be a great way to find the best candidates regardless of physical location, but it is important for the interviewer to come prepared.
Remember, when it comes to sponsoring foreign nationals the PERM advertising process is incredibly complex, and rejection will be costly, so be sure to work with an agency that specializes in permanent labor certification ads to make sure it is done right.
