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Remote Recruitment: Advancing or Impeding the Hiring Process?

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world's viewpoint on working conditions, where remote work is not only an alternative, but a daily practice among many organizations. This change has affected the way how companies recruit and hire nowadays. According to the survey, held by Software company “Jobma”, 86% of employers think that remote interviews have improved their hiring process. But are there only positive factors talking about online recruitment?

In today's discussion, Talent Acquisition Specialist Dominyka Rizgelyte delves into the nuances of remote and face-to-face recruitment.

remote recruitment

Advantages of Remote Recruitment

To begin with, a remote video interview with a candidate saves time for both of the parties. It brings more flexibility as the recruiter connects with candidates regardless of their location, making it more convenient. Moreover, this flexibility expands recruiters' search among the bigger number of candidates, and other way around - the technology gives more opportunities for candidates to apply to jobs outside of their city or a country. In addition to this, online interviews are usually shorter, and there is less time needed in between, therefore, it makes it possible to interview more candidates in one day. This change in handling interviews saves not only time, but also resources and reduces costs of travel and accommodation when needed.

Challenges of Remote Interviews

Taking other side into account, remote interviews have a risk of being interrupted with technical issues or some candidates may not even have an access to participate in an interview online. What is more, to be distracted by the surroundings during the remote interview is easier than during a tête-à-tête meeting. This can be applied to both sides – coming emails and notifications on a recruiter’s side, and a crying baby or an attention seeking dog on a candidate's side. It is important to emphasize that online meetings take more concentration and cognitive effort from both sides than face-to-face ones.

Comparative Analysis of Interview Formats

One of the most popular opinions on this live/online interview handling, is that a lot of candidates find remote interviews less stressful than in-person ones, which helps them to show and introduce themselves at their best. However, body language can provide as much information about candidates as their words, which is lost during the online talk, and it becomes more difficult for interviewers to observe candidates’ behaviors, and vice versa - the lack of feedback or unexpected tone of voice during an online call can trigger the candidate. On top of that, face-to-face interviews allow to see what it’s like to be in the same room with the candidate, to get to know his interpersonal skills, while the online interview finishes the second both parties push “leave” button.

Remote Recruitment at Reiz Tech

In Reiz Tech, recruitment process is held 100% remotely. Being the inclusive company that we are, our talents come and work from all over the world, therefore, online interviews handling is a time saving and costs reducing option.

The Future of Recruitment

Recruitment process will continue to change and adapt new technologies. Artificial Intelligence, for example, already helps by screening CVs and minimizing human errors. HR specialists have an opportunity to reduce the cost of hiring while eliminating bias and human errors, and at the same time, increasing diversity in the talent pool. But aside from all, we are still social beings, with a need of quality communication and feeling of being a part.

What do you prefer – the traditional face-to-face approach or the modern screen-based method?