Four Red Flags to Look for During Video Interviews

There are common positives and red flags hiring professionals look for when conducting job interviews. However, video interviews are on the rise, which brings new factors into play. While video interviews are new to many professionals, HiringThing has been fully remote since our inception in 2012, and thus exceedingly familiar with the video interview process. Here are some video interview red flags we've learned to look for when interviewing job candidates to be part of the HiringThing team! 

Four Red Flags to Look for During Video Interviews

1. Being Late With No Communication

There are a number of factors that can make a candidate late for an in-person interview—weather and traffic namely, but when someone is interviewing from the comfort of their own home, they should be able to be on time. Now, technical difficulties occur, but almost everyone these days has a mobile phone they can email hiring managers on and let them know they're experiencing some difficulties and will be late. If that's the case, hiring managers may opt to just give them a call, and the interview can proceed (and shouldn't be held against the candidate). But being late with no explanation or communication is for sure a huge red flag. 

2. Reading Answers

Although some interviewers are happy for candidates to take notes at an interview, or maybe even prepare a list of their own questions to ask their potential employer, reading every response from a notepad or computer screen can show a lack of adaptability, that the candidate didn't prepare, or that they're not taking this interview as seriously as if it were in-person. Much like an in-person interview, these should be conversational, so if the candidate is constantly looking away and seems to be reading, they're misunderstanding the assignment. 

Now, we're all for candidates bringing notes or examples if that's what helps them interview best. This is less of a red flag if they're upfront about bringing these aids, and can reference them while still being able to have a conversation. 

3. A Loud, Chaotic Environment

A conscientious candidate will have carefully chosen the site of their video interview. Ideally, candidates would take part from the quiet corner of a cafe or a room in their house where they won’t be interrupted. If the interviewee has chosen the wrong location, they will be constantly distracted, the lighting will be poor and other people (or pets!) might walk into shot.

While part of remote work is balancing home life with work, and some candidates may be interviewing with you specifically so they can work while watching children or pets, if it's so distracting during your interview that it disrupts the entire proceedings, that doesn't set high expectations for being able to work without distraction. 

4. Being Overly Flustered By Technology

New technology has a learning curve, but if a candidate gets overly flustered by a new experience, it may show they aren't cut out for remote work, where adaptability is necessary.

Remember Red Flags Are Subjective

It's important we say here that most of these red flags can be subjective. A candidate may constantly be interrupted by the family because it was a particularly hectic day or be very talented, but nervous and flustered. These are just guidelines and you should use common sense, as well as the candidate's experience, application, and references to get a fuller picture of what they can bring to your organization. 

About HiringThing

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