Virtual Interview Red Flags: What to Avoid Before Your Call

Today, more companies hold virtual interviews when recruiting candidates for open positions. Interview rules from the past may not apply when you conduct your meeting online with an applicant. There are many interview red flags you should look out for on your virtual call.

Employers have to scrutinize a potential new hire using different strategies. Here are some strategies to spot applicants who may not fit your team well.

Screening Potential Candidates

Before you get to the interview step in the hiring process, you must have a solid system that screens potential candidates for success. Your team should come up with some key skills and essential requirements for candidates to get through each step. Look through their resume and cover letter to determine if they have the right combination of knowledge and talent for your position.

Preparing for the Interview

Next, prepare your hiring staff to conduct a virtual interview. Record the interview so you and other management team members can review the candidate's responses and spot potential red flags during the interview.

6 Red Flags to Be Aware Of in an Virtual Interview

1. Loud & Noisy Background

One of the first job interview red flags is if the candidate has a loud and noisy background during the call. A serious candidate should have set up the meeting in a quiet, secluded place for the interview. If your candidate hasn’t done that, this could be a sign that they aren’t excited about your position or lack judgment.

2. Being Overwhelmed by Technology

The next problematic sign is if the interviewee is overwhelmed by technology during the call. If the candidate can’t access your virtual meeting tool, that could be a sign they aren’t capable of doing the job. Joining a virtual call is a basic tech skill that any modern employee should be able to handle.

3. Not Prepared

Another red flag interview sign is when the candidate is unprepared for the interview. This may show up in a few different ways. Even if the interview is online, they should still be dressed professionally. Casual clothes may be a clue that they aren’t the right person. Candidates who don’t know the basics about your company or the position may also not be suitable for your team.

4. Tardiness

Being late to a job interview sets up a terrible first impression. With a virtual job interview, the usual understandable excuses don’t apply, such as traffic or getting lost. If the candidate is late to the virtual meeting, you may want to cross them off the shortlist.

5. Badmouthing Previous Employers

You must also consider what the interviewee says during your virtual meeting. Most candidates talk about their experiences in a similar role in past jobs. If your candidate spends the meeting time badmouthing previous employers and not taking any accountability for their performance, that may be a red flag.

6. Little or No Enthusiasm

Finally, the last red flag for a virtual job interview is if the meeting participant shows little or no enthusiasm. Sometimes, candidates may be nervous during an important job interview and stumble on their words or lose their train of thought. Nervousness is a good sign that they take the interview seriously. You should be on the lookout for someone who seems unconcerned or shows no emotion at all.

There is always a different perspective to think about during a job interview, which is how someone comes across and your interpretation of their behavior. So, no matter what happens, consider outside factors during your virtual job interview before completely ruling someone out if they show some red flags.