Over the past few years, as many workers have transitioned into remote positions, video interviews became increasingly popular. When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, they became the new standard.

Gone are the days when in-person interviews were the only option. With modern technology and ai interview software, you can now connect with candidates from anywhere in the world through video.

Not only does this make the interview process more convenient, but it also gives you a chance to meet more diverse candidates that you may not have otherwise had the opportunity to.

If you're new to conducting video interviews, or if you're looking for ways to improve your process, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

The video interview process can be broken down into a few key steps:

1. Preparing for the interview
2. Conducting the interviews
3. Following up after the interview

We'll go over each of these steps in more detail below.

1. Preparing for the Interview:
When preparing for a video interview, the most important thing you can do is make sure you have a strong internet connection.

If you're conducting the interview from home, test your internet speed in advance and ensure you're using a reliable Wi-Fi connection.

It's also a good idea to find a quiet place to conduct the interview, where you won't be interrupted or distracted.

Finally, it's essential to make sure you're familiar with the video interviewing software you'll be using. Test the audio and video settings in advance so you can avoid any technical hiccups on the day of the interview.

2. Conducting the Interviews:

We recommend a 6-step interview process that you can learn more about in our eBook, "How to hire Great Software Engineers."

The six steps are:
1.) Initial Screen
2.) First interview
3.) Panel Interview
4.) Task/ Assessment Interview
5.) Final Interview
6.) Reference Check

For each step of the process, you'll want to keep a few things in mind:

- Make sure everyone involved in the interview process is on the same page. Before the interview, send out a plan or set of discussion topics to all interviewers so they know what to expect.
- During the interview, be sure to give the candidate the opportunity to ask questions. This will not only help them feel more comfortable, but it will also give you a chance to see how they think on their feet.
- After the interview, take some time to debrief with the other interviewers. Discuss what went well and what could be improved for next time.

One way to simplify this process is by using an interview intelligence software.

AI-powered interview intelligence platforms like Pillar, automate these steps so the interview process goes off without a hitch and the candidate has a great experience.

3. Following Up After the Interview:
The final step in the video interview process is following up with the candidate.

Within 24 hours of the interview, send a personalized email thanking the candidate for their time.

If they're moving on to the next stage of the interview process, let them know what to expect and when they can expect to hear back from you.

If they're not moving forward, take the time to give them feedback on their performance. This feedback will not only help them in future interviews but will also show them that you're invested in their career growth.

No matter what the outcome of the interview is, following up with the candidate is a must.

By taking the time to do so, you'll ensure that every candidate has a positive experience and that your company is top of mind should they ever be looking for new opportunities.

Pre-Recorded Video Interview Examples

Pre-recorded video interviews, also known as one-way video interviews, are a great way to screen candidates in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

With pre-recorded interviews, you can send interview questions to candidates in advance and then review their responses at your convenience.

Pre-recorded interview examples save the interviewers time by allowing them to review the answers to the questions at their convenience.

This type of interview is often used early in the interview process and allows candidates to take their time crafting thoughtful responses.

The other type of interview is a live video interview, also known as a two-way video interview.

Live, two-way interviews are conducted in real-time and provide a more personal touch than pre-recorded interviews.

This type of interview is best used later in the interview process when you've already had a chance to screen candidates and are ready to conduct more in-depth interviews.

Both types of interviews have their own advantages and disadvantages, which you'll want to take into account when deciding which type of interview to use and the questions you ask.

Sample video interview questions and answers that could be asked in either type of interview are:
- Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a change at work.
- Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond to solve a problem.
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or coworker.
- Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.
-Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work. How did you handle it?
- Tell me about a time when you had to take on a leadership role.

If you're looking for more information on the best types of questions to ask in a video interview, check out, "8 Interview Questions Every Recruiter Should ask Remote Workers."

The video interview process doesn't have to be complicated. By using the tips and tricks in this guide, you can streamline your process and ensure that every candidate has a positive experience.

How to Prepare For A Video Interview

Whether you're a seasoned pro or this is your first time interviewing via video, there are a few things you can do to prepare and ensure that the process goes smoothly.

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for a video interview:

- Choose a quiet, well-lit place to conduct the interview.
- Make sure you have a strong internet connection.
- Test your audio and video settings in advance.
- Dress as you would for an in-person interview.
- Have a copy of the candidate's resume, LinkedIn profile, and job description close by.
- Prepare a list of questions in advance.

Video interview questions and answers will vary depending on the position you're interviewing for, but there are a few questions that are common across all industries.

These questions generally fall into one of four categories:

1. Behavioral Questions
2. Technical Questions
3. Cultural Fit Questions
4. Past Performance Questions.

Behavioral questions are designed to assess how a candidate has handled themselves in specific situations in the past.

They can be helpful in determining whether or not a candidate would be a good fit for your company and the position they're applying for.

Some common behavioral interview questions include:

- Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a change at work.
- Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or coworker.
- Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work. How did you handle it?
- Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond to help your team reach a common goal.

Technical questions are designed to assess a candidate's technical skills and knowledge.

They can be helpful in determining whether or not a candidate has the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job they're applying for.

Some common technical interview questions include:

- What coding languages are you proficient in?
- Describe a time when you had to debug a piece of code.
- Tell me about a time when you had to use a technology or tool that you weren't familiar with.
- What is your experience with XYZ software?
- Describe a complex technical problem that you were able to successfully solve.

Cultural fit questions are designed to assess a candidate's compatibility with your company's culture.

They can be helpful in determining whether or not a candidate would be a good fit for your company and the position they're applying for.

Some common cultural fit interview questions include:

- What do you like and dislike about working in a team environment?
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or coworker.
- What do you think makes a great company culture?
- Tell me about a time when you had to take on a leadership role.
- What do you think are the most important qualities for success in this role?

Past performance questions are designed to assess a candidate's ability to do the job they're applying for.

They can be helpful in determining whether or not a candidate has the skills and experience necessary to do the job they're applying for.

Some common past performance interview questions include:
- Tell me about a time when you hit a sales goal.
- Describe a time when you successfully completed a project.
- Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond to help your team reach a common goal.
- What are some of the most challenging situations you've dealt with in this role?
- How have you grown and developed in your last role? How do you feel it prepared you for this role?

The goal is to get to know the candidate on a personal level and to determine if they're a good fit for your company, so you'll want to get a sense of how they would perform in the role and if they have the skills and experience necessary to be successful.