Virtual Interview Best Practices for Hiring Managers

Change is as good as rest.

Or so they say…

If only “they” knew how much you enjoy resting after those long and laborious in-person technical interviews.

But, you have to admit, the changes in how interviews are being conducted are positive.

Say hello to virtual interviewing.

Although not an entirely new concept, virtual interviews were not as popular a few years back when only 29% of organizations utilized the technology. Today, more than 89% of organizations use virtual interviews to find and hire the most talented techies in the industry.

Obtaining top talent isn’t easy. The interview process can be demanding, and the stakes are high. Part of getting it right is implementing virtual interview best practices for hiring managers and having the right virtual interview questions and answers.

Additionally, acquiring proper virtual interview technology is vital. Thanks to platforms like Zoom, you can now use Zoom interview tips for employers to get the interview flowing smoothly.

Pros and cons of virtual interviews

COVID-19 changed the fact that a third of recruiters decide whether or not to hire a candidate within the first 90 seconds of an interview.

Organizations had to figure out how to host effective virtual interviews during COVID. And a lot was learned! Here are the most commonly cited pros and cons of virtual interviews:

Pros

  • Convenience for both parties; engineers can log in from home, and hiring managers can conduct their interviews from anywhere
  • Save time and costs since neither you nor the candidates have to travel
  • Bypass different time zones and geographical barriers
  • Ability to record and playback how the interview went down
  • Reduce nervousness

Cons

  • Lack of non-verbal cues like body language that result in miscommunication
  • Technical difficulties
  • Illegalities on the candidate’s data that organizations store
  • Bad lighting or other distractions

Types of virtual interviews

Regardless of the pros and cons, virtual interviews are here to stay.

According to insights from LinkedIn, 81% of hiring managers agree to continue with virtual interviews post-COVID.

And that’s good news for you. While it takes an average of 41 days to hire a software developer, a virtual interview is a great way to shorten this period.

So, what are the types of virtual interviews out there?

Technical phone interview

You administer this interview remotely over the phone. A technical phone interview happens, especially in the early recruitment stages, to understand the applicants’ communication, cognitive, and technical skills. Additionally, you can offer the candidate more info about the role.

Code interview

A coding interview asks a candidate to complete online tasks that challenge coding skills, problem-solving skills, debugging skills, and other capabilities. For example, you might ask the candidate to debug a piece of code or write a particular algorithm.

Zoom interview

Most virtual interviews today take place via video conferencing software like Zoom. You can ask a number of Zoom interview questions and answers during the session. You’ll also want to use these group Zoom interview tips every time you hold a Zoom meeting.

How to conduct a video interview

Let’s say you’ve already created and posted an open engineering role on various online job boards.

Interested engineers pick up what you’re putting down, and dozens of them apply. You (or someone on the hiring team) now has to go through every single resume and cover letter to analyze each candidate’s qualifications before the video interviews begin.

And while resumes and cover letters can tell you about a candidate’s work history, they barely scratch the surface. You risk making the wrong hire without the whole picture — even if you’ve mastered all of the top virtual interviewing tips for hiring managers.

That’s where Woven comes in.

Our online assessment platform analyzes all applications at record speed and conducts thorough screening to highlight the candidate’s technical and problem-solving skills. That means you’ll already have the best of the bunch when proceeding to video interviews.

All you have to do is prep the right video interview questions.

Tips for virtual interviews

There’s nothing like having the heavy lifting done for you. You’re one step closer to completing your technical interviews!

Next it’s time to conduct the video interview. This part is exciting but challenging; if you’ve never done it before, you might want to research tips for conducting remote interviews and find Zoom interview questions for employers.

There are lots of virtual interview best practices for hiring managers. Some of the most popular tips for virtual interviews include:

  • Write all of your requirements down on paper and use a virtual interview checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything.
  • Set up your space before starting with introductions and questions.
  • Give candidates clear instructions on how to get the camera and audio working on their end.
  • Position yourself in a way that will give your interviewee the best lighting.
  • Make sure your interview location is distraction-free.
  • Give everyone some time to settle in, catch a breath, and gather their thoughts.

Virtual interview etiquette

Studies show that 80% of business leaders favor virtual interviews over audio or in-person interviews.

And whether your company is implementing them due to the COVID-19 restrictions or remote hiring, it’s important for you to review virtual interview best practices for hiring managers before you conduct your first one.

If you don’t know where to start, take a look at our list of virtual interview etiquette tips:

  • Always be punctual.
  • Virtual interview attire should be formal, similar to an in-person interview.
  • The virtual interview background should be neutral to eliminate any visual distractions.
  • Maintain eye contact and a professional, friendly tone throughout the interview.
  • Mind your body language.
  • Pay attention and don’t interrupt the interviewees.
  • Close with an appreciation note and follow up ASAP.

Face to face interview vs. online interview

When it comes to a face-to-face interview vs. online interview, one thing is clear: you need resources to find the talent that will keep your company ahead of the curve.

With Woven, engineering managers only have to talk to qualified candidates. Our asynchronous assessments test for coding, architecture, debugging, technical collaboration, and more. They’re also configured by role/experience.

You’ll spend 60% less engineering time in technical interviews and can scale your team faster.

Let’s find the hidden gems who will make meaningful contributions to your team. Start a free trial with Woven today.