What do you do if your virtual interviewee has technical difficulties?

In an ideal scenario, the interviewee should join a few minutes early to ensure their camera and microphone are functioning correctly. However, if technical difficulties still arise despite this preparation, my approach would be to remain calm and give them a few moments to troubleshoot the issue themselves. Depending on the situation, I would offer assistance and troubleshoot with them to resolve the problem. If we are unable to resolve the issue promptly, I would suggest rescheduling the interview and make note of the situation. It's important to remember that we're all human and technical issues can happen to anyone. I believe in treating others with the same understanding and patience that I would appreciate in such circumstances.

We've all been there! You are prepared, you (attempt) to join early and then out of the blue, your home internet has a hiccup or your computer decides that is is updating NOW. It is embarrassing and can be very frustrating. As the interviewer, show grace and patience. Simply offer to the interviewee the ability to collect themselves. Offer a brief story when something similar happened to you that will help them feel at ease as nothing is worse than feeling like you just blew it before even getting started. If the delay runs longer than a few minutes, always ask if the time still works for them and/or if it's better to reschedule. Restate that this will NOT reflect badly on them. Life happens...

The interviewee is now panicking, so this is the perfect opportunity for you to show that you’d be a great manager to work for. Assure them that you want to talk with them about the job and acknowledge that tech glitches happen. Empathize with the person’s feelings, and say I’ve had that issue happen to me. Offer to move to the phone or try FaceTime. If the problem can’t be resolved quickly, then reschedule the meeting. Conclude by mentioning that you were impressed with their resume and look forward to chatting with them soon. Remember, this may be the perfect person for the job, and your graciousness makes you look like a hero.

Creo que como profesionales, hay que conservar la calma y darle la comodidad al candidato para que no entre en pánico, darle otro horario, otras alternativas para que se pueda conectar, tener otras plataformas le ayude a tener soluciones para que sienta que hay interés por parte del entrevistador y que no sienta frustración en el proceso. Creo que somos los responsables de entregar y trasmitir paciencia y calma a los candidatos cuando pasan este tipo de situaciones.

Manter a calma e oferecer suporte técnico, inicie a conversa fornecendo instruções sobre com resolver problemas técnicos comuns. Seja paciente e compreensivo, caso seja possível altere ofereça outra ferramenta ou adie a entrevista.

When it comes to assessing quickly, it means evaluating or judging something in a short amount of time. It's about making a rapid but informed decision or evaluation based on the available information or observations. Assessing quickly can be useful in situations where you need to make swift decisions or prioritize tasks. However, it's important to balance speed with accuracy and not rush into judgments without considering all relevant factors. So, it's about finding that sweet spot between efficiency and thoroughness.

Evaluate the technical problem to ascertain whether it stems from a weak internet connection, malfunctioning software, or hardware issues. Determine if the issue originates from your end or the interviewee's. If it's within your control, address it promptly. Otherwise, guide the interviewee through basic troubleshooting steps, ensuring clear instructions and support to resolve the issue efficiently.

You can ask the interviewee "are you familiar with this platform?" that will help assess what type of troubleshooting you might need to use to support them.

Switching platforms always helps. Also, ensure the candidate or interviewer is not stressing over it or panicking, For a smooth process, try having a test call before the actual call

We acknowledge when scheduling our virtual interviews that technical issues can happen and if that does, the interviewer will adjust and call by telephone. By laying out the back-up plan right up front, it can take off the stress and uncertainty that comes along with the inevitable technical glitches.

To address this challenge, I would always offer the candidate some alternative options for conducting the interview. 1. We can switch to a traditional phone call format if video or audio connectivity continues to be an issue. 2. Alternatively, we can use an instant messaging platform like Slack or WhatsApp for the interview. While not as immersive as a video call, this option still allows for real-time interaction and discussion. 3. If we prefer to proceed with a video interview but encounter persistent technical issues, we will reschedule for a later date. This will allow both parties to address the technical difficulties and ensure a smooth interview experience.

Switching to a different video interviewing platform would be the best option. If the problem persists and/or it’s taking too much time to resolve, I will seek to reschedule. Technical issues are something you should never hold against the interviewee. Sometimes, technology just doesn’t work and it’s no one’s fault.

Sin lugar a dudas hay que entender la situación, no la sabemos, muchas veces el entrevistado consigue una conexión en un bar o en la casa de un amigo. Empatía y reprogramación.

Record keeping is always important, especially if the technical issues cannot be resolved and the interview needs to be re-scheduled. Documenting if/why the interview was moved is the best way to ensure a transparent process for the candidate, and potentially avoid biases.

Trabalhei em uma construtora onde as entrevistas deveram ser feitas virtualmente, através de plataformas como o Meet ou Soom, porém os candidatos eram, em sua maioria, pessoas muito simples, humildes. Ao iniciar o processo percebi que seria inviável utilizar tais plataformas, mas seria muito fácil usar a vídeo chamada pelo WhatsApp, inclusive com a presença de um familiar, que os deixavam mais tranquilos e confiantes para conversarem, e assim conduzi as várias entrevistas e consegui todas as contratações necessárias.

Candidates are of different levels in terms of confidence and that needs to be respected. Engaging a candidate in case of a technical glitch and giving them a comfort will develop a sense of appreciation from candidate's part. Take things off line like a phone call, text message, re - connect when possible, or see if fave to face meeting is possible.

if talk about communication key It means that effective communication is essential in any relationship or situation. When we communicate well, we can understand each other, share ideas, and work together smoothly. Good communication involves listening actively, expressing thoughts clearly, and being open to different perspectives. It helps build strong connections, resolve conflicts, and achieve common goals. So, remember to communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully to ensure understanding and success in your interactions.

A comunicação eficiente, é fundamental em qualquer momento da vida, contudo em um processo seletivo e durante a vida laboral, a comunicação é fator crucial para o desempenho de qualquer atividade. Ela deve ser sempre limpa, objetiva, desde o início do processo, deixando sempre transparente o que se espera do candidato e o que o candidato pode esperar da empresa.

follow-up refers to the act of checking in or continuing communication after an initial interaction or event. It's an important practice in various aspects of life, including professional settings. When you follow up with someone, you show that you care, are interested, and value the connection. It could be sending a thank-you note after an interview, reaching out to a potential client after a meeting, or checking on the progress of a project. Following up helps maintain relationships, solidify commitments, and keep the lines of communication open. It demonstrates your professionalism, attentiveness, and dedication.

If your virtual interviewee faces technical problems, calmly assist them by troubleshooting and offering alternative solutions. Be patient and flexible, considering rescheduling or platform changes. Maintain open communication and document the incident for reference. Follow up afterward to ensure any lingering issues are resolved.

As an interview coach, I have observed this many times in real time. Here are some of my tips based on oberservation. - Reassuring them that it's okay is very important as often or not the candidate is nervous as it is. - Even before the interview, you should offer alternative communication in case of issues such as a phone call or another video platform. - Lastly, if everything fails, it is perfectly fine to reschedule another interview as common sense must prevail.

I remember my own technical difficulty story: once, my computer battery died mid-interview. I kept cool, quickly explained the situation, and got back online to finish the interview. From this, I learned to stay calm and clear-headed. So, when it happens to someone else, I offer understanding and patience, reassuring them that it's okay and guiding them through getting back on track, just like I did. It's all about staying calm, communicating clearly, and showing we can handle unexpected challenges with grace.

Keep an open mind; taking into account, good and reliable internet connectivity is not always guaranteed for many, especially if living in regions plagued by frequent unannounced blackouts and power outages. It might even be worth establishing before an interview kicks off, a plan B course of action in the event connectivity is lost midway.

Reassure candidate that it's ok and wait patiently for 2-3 minutes for he/she to hopefully resolve the issue. If this doesn't happen, ask a few questions to make sure he/she is doing everything correctly. If no success, call the candidate or reschedule the interview (which will give the candidate time to figure out what they're doing wrong).