5 Reasons Why a Remote Interview Is Superior to an In Person One
Remote interviews became a necessity for most organizations when in person employment interviews were abruptly halted due to social distancing directives in 2020. Today, modern technology has provided hiring managers with a plethora of tools to help facilitate the hiring process, especially when it comes to leveraging video and communication platforms.
More and more companies are doing video interviews with potential workers as a way to not only improve efficiency in the process, but also to connect with candidates that they might otherwise not be able to connect with due to barriers like geography and timing. The accessibility of platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Slack, and others have allowed individuals to build connections with one another (virtual happy hour anyone?) and businesses to attract the greatest talent available.
The following are just five of the reasons why a remote interview is superior to an in-person interview:
Saves time and money
Applicants don't have to leave home to participate in a remote interview, which helps save money on travel, meals, and accommodation expenditures. Accordingly, employers save money because they don't have to rent off-site locations for C-suite and other high-level-candidate interviews. Furthermore, after the interview is completed, both parties can return to their workday quickly, having a minimal impact on individual productivity.
Hiring managers can conduct more interviews in less time virtually than in person because of the extra time required during an on-site meeting. In the case of remote interviewing, ending the interview takes a simple click of the mouse. When interviewing in person, you need to anticipate the candidate or internal interviewers running late, as well as other interruptions that come with being in the office. Cancelling and rescheduling these in person interactions are the bane of every hiring manager and a virtual process helps people keep these appointments.
Shortens the process timeline
Glassdoor reports that the interview process alone takes on average a month for mid-level managers and increases significantly as you move up the corporate ladder, which necessitates several rounds of interviews. Scheduling a convenient time to meet with a candidate can be difficult, especially when there are several individuals involved. The remote interview simplifies the process and can significantly shorten the time from initial contact to decision and offer.
Expands the talent pool
Remote interviewing expands a company's talent pool because of its flexibility. The scheduling flexibility and availability of interview participants to simply log into their computer for a remote interview versus taking the time to meet in person is a significant reason that candidates have embraced this new approach. Candidates who are currently working are also more likely to make time for a remote interview, increasing the number and quality of applications are available for review.
Provides a lens into how they'll work remotely
If employers are considering employing a remote worker, virtual interviews are an excellent way for applicants to demonstrate their skills -- as the interview environment is highly similar to the actual job environment. You can easily test their ability to communicate effectively, potentially deal with any technology snafus, and remain focused in a home-based environment.
Allows for greater involvement by internal stakeholders
Remote interviews provide an opportunity for interviewers to sit in on the meeting anywhere in the world, helping ensure that the right people are involved in the process from the beginning. What's more, recorded interviews can be reviewed by additional team members when required or used for training purposes in the future.
Remote interviews are beneficial because they allow companies the opportunity to interact with the top talent available in the market faster, easier, and more effectively. While it may take a little work on the front end to make the shift to this new way of recruiting and hiring, remote interviews are quickly becoming a requirement to stay competitive when trying to hire the best candidates available.
Resources:
https://www.glassdoor.com/research/time-to-hire-in-25-countries/
