Days are gone, when one had to physically present in front of the candidate for hiring. With the outbreak of the pandemic, and the ensuing lockdown, ‘online’ has become the new normal. Much like the Work-from home virtual hiring is becoming a norm. Recruiters never actively choose virtual hiring but the pandemic enforced to accept it as offices all over the world were restricted to work from home.

Yes, its new normal but it wasn’t a choice it was the only choice for an organization to welcome new talent. So, many questions arises when we prepare ourselves for the journey of the hiring process.

Let’s take a look at some questions.

What are the factors that should be kept in mind while hiring a candidate?

Picking a suitable job Advertisement.

Virtual hiring is much more different than in-person walk-in interviews. Be more descriptive about working environment, culture, and atmosphere of your company with help of pictures, videos or any other possible media.

Spend adequate time in the interview.

While in a virtual mode its more difficult to understand one’s body language. You will need a proper time to analyse and observe the candidate and their overall attitude that is beyond professional capabilities. At the same time you should in mind not to stretch it too long.

Excuse minor convenience and make the environment more comfortable.

Attending interviews from home sometimes create disturbances like background noise, network issues that need to be excused. Since you are in a powerful position as a recruiter, it falls upon you to make the situation easier and comfortable.

What are the advantages we can take into account and what are the disadvantages we will encounter?

1. Advantage: Larger talent pool

When it comes online interviews both active and passive candidate takes part actively as it’s more flexible with time and no need to travel. Therefore no expenses to be carried out for a candidate. So, many candidates show their interest and apply.

2. Advantage: Lower cost

For both parties it’s cost effective. None have to carry travel, food and staying expenses. Can go back to regular activities as soon as they are done, which means their productivity does not get affected.

3. Advantage: Time saving

When it’s virtual a lot of candidates do apply. So, there’s an opportunity to pick the best suited one from the pool. You can schedule you interview according to your free time and can interview for a longer period when you don’t have to be physically present.

1. Disadvantage: Large number of less interested applicant

As it’s more easy to appear in an online interview many candidate do apply just to take a shot for finding his potential or just in shake of applying as there is no cost to carry. So, its difficult to find the real candidates.

2. Disadvantage: Internet issues

One of the major downsides of virtual interview is the internet issues. A stable and fast internet connection that provide a quality service is much required in video interview. A bad video or audio quality can make to loss a better candidate to.

3. Disadvantage: Potential Fraud

May be they are not too common but there are many fraud companies that scam candidates by asking them to pay a symbolic fee in promise of job. Sometimes these kind of fraud affects company’s reputations indirectly. Also there are some possible potential fraud from candidate ends as the artificial intelligence is expanding fast and you will not be knowing who is sitting on the other side of the table.

Now more than fifty percent of employers from large and medium sized companies strongly believe that virtual recruiting is a function that is fast evolving and is going to take over the in-person hiring forever. Despite many disadvantages virtual hirings are great because they can connect the best companies with the best talent out there. However both recruiters and candidates both need to be aware of what they need to do from their end to conduct a better and safe hiring.