Digital Interviews: What They Are, Common Questions, and Tips to Succeed
How do I prepare for a digital interview? Is it that much different from an in-person interview?
You may be asking yourself these questions if you have a digital interview scheduled in the near future.
Hireflix is here to help. We provide a digital interview platform that’s used by some of the world’s best companies and institutions like Coca-Cola, UC Berkeley, and Chick-Fil-A and we’ve curated a list of example questions and tips to help you succeed in your big moment.
After reading, you’ll know the right ways to prepare – as both a job seeker and hiring manager – and how to set yourself up for a smooth interview with no hiccups or distractions.
Let’s get started.
What is a digital interview?
A digital interview is an online, remote interviewing process, conducted over the internet. Rather than calling candidates or asking would-be employees to meet in person, a hiring manager conducts the interview through an online platform.
There are many different types of digital interviews available today. Some simply involve sending a series of questions via a Google Doc for a candidate to fill out. Others leverage video interviewing software like Hireflix (for asynchronous interviews) or Zoom (for live face-to-face interactions).
These video interviews can also be conducted in different ways.
Some companies will host “live” videos, on channels like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, where they can interact with candidates in real-time.
Others use asynchronous or one-way video interview strategies. This involves using a tool like Hireflix to record each interview question and send it to candidates. The candidate then responds to the questions with their own video and sends it back to the hiring team for assessment.
Video and digital interviews have grown increasingly popular in recent years. The pandemic, global hiring, and the rise of remote and hybrid work strategies have made face-to-face interviews less common.
Plus, digital interviews save hiring managers time, expand access to a wider talent pool, and make it easier for companies to review interview conversations when making hiring decisions. According to recent data, roughly 86% of employers say video interviewing has improved their hiring process, meaning that these digital interviews are likely here to stay.
Sample digital interview questions and answers
A digital interview can be very similar to a traditional interview in a lot of ways. Even in an asynchronous interview, companies still want to evaluate specific characteristics and measure the potential of each candidate they speak to.
Here are some common digital interview questions (and sample answers) to help you prepare for your next conversations:
Tell me about a time when you overcame a significant challenge at work
All companies have their challenges, whether it’s internal conflicts with other staff members or demanding clients. Hiring managers need to see evidence that their future employees can handle issues when they arise and deal with periods of stress in a positive way.
“During my time with [previous company], we discovered our team was struggling to collaborate on a difficult project. To bring our team together, I suggested using a new collaboration platform and recorded a video for my colleagues to help them use it. We then set regular meeting sessions where we could discuss the project and work more effectively together.”
How have you handled feedback in the past, can you provide an example?
Feedback is important in a business environment. It helps guide employees toward their goals and keeps them focused on achieving the right results. However, not all employees respond well to negative feedback. Managers need to know their teams can handle feedback constructively.
“When I first started working for [company] I was struggling to hit my performance goals. My manager suggested I might not be using my time effectively. To counteract this, I started using to-do lists and task-tracking software to help schedule my day. This allowed me to meet more deadlines and work productively as part of the team.”
Where do you see yourself in five years? Does this role align with your career goals?
Hiring a new employee is an investment for any company. Business leaders need to ensure that the professional goals of their new candidates match their goals. This question can help a hiring manager determine if a candidate is a good long-term investment.
“In five years I see myself in a leadership position at [company]. I believe this role will help me to develop the skills I need to guide other team members in the [industry] sector. In the years ahead, I’ll be focused on strengthening my abilities in [areas related to the job] and proving myself to be a valuable resource for the company.”
Tell me about a project you were proud of. What was your role and what was the outcome?
This question gives hiring managers an opportunity to dive into some of the major successes a candidate has had in their professional life. It’s an opportunity to see how they contributed to positive outcomes for other businesses.
“One project I’m particularly proud of was related to nurturing a client we had recently acquired within [company]. The client had a lot of specific requirements, so I worked with my team to create a strategy for how we could achieve each of the goals presented to us. I also set up a plan for regularly meeting with the customer to maintain a strong line of communication. The strategy led to the client becoming one of our most valuable long-term customers.”
How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple pressing deadlines?
With this question, hiring managers can determine how potential candidates use their time effectively to ensure they’re achieving business goals. The question can also offer insight into how well potential candidates can deal with high-pressure situations.
“When dealing with multiple deadlines at once, such as in [previous instance or example], I work with business leaders and the rest of my team to define the highest-priority tasks that need to be addressed. With the help of my team members, I ensure everyone is focusing on the right strategies to guarantee that deadlines are met.”
What skill or aspect of your personality do you think will be most beneficial to this role?
This question gives hiring managers an opportunity to determine why a candidate thinks they’re valuable to a specific role. It’s a great way to determine whether a candidate has done their research into the nature of the job and their responsibilities.
“In your job description, you noted that this role requires someone with exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving skills. I believe my ability to think creatively during difficult circumstances, and explore all avenues for success carefully will make me a valuable asset.”
What motivates you and how do you motivate yourself at work?
Every company wants motivated and engaged employees. Finding out how staff members stay motivated and focused is a great way to ensure they’ll be able to thrive in a role. It can also offer hiring managers insights into how they can keep teams motivated.
“I’m highly motivated by a desire to constantly learn new things and improve my skills. I keep myself motivated at work by looking for ways to learn from others and improve the results I deliver to the business. This opens the door to constant learning and growth.”
How to Prepare For a Digital Interview as a Candidate
Preparing for any job interview can be a daunting task for a candidate. Even the most qualified candidates can often feel overwhelmed when they’re met with complex behavioral questions and new hiring processes.
Here are a few ways you can make sure you’re prepared for a digital interview:
Test your technology
Before your interview starts, make sure you’ve checked your technology and it’s working correctly. Load up the video interview software you’re going to be using and make sure it runs on your computer or smartphone. Ensure your device is fully charged and connected to the internet, and make sure your speakers, microphone, and camera are working correctly with no lost connections.
Create a professional environment
Make sure you’re ready to present yourself in the best light possible to your interviewer. Don’t start the interview process in a crowded or loud space. Choose a well-lit environment that’s free from distractions. Make sure your backdrop is clean, and if you’re in a room, close the door so other people don’t walk in.
Practice
Tools like Hireflix allow the recruiter or employer to give candidates an option to re-do their answers. However, this doesn’t mean you should rely on constantly having to change your responses. Practicing the interview in advance and coming up with valuable responses to questions will help you to make a lasting impression.
Do your research
Don’t just use the job description to guide you when you’re answering interview questions. Learn as much as you can about the company, their goals, and their priorities. This will help you to speak more confidently and relate your skills and abilities directly to the needs of the organization.
Dress professionally
Just because you aren’t visiting a prospective employer in person doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress professionally. Match your apparel and appearance to the expected codes of the company you’re applying for. If you’re unsure of the company dress code, keep your attire professional and formal. Remember, you only get one first impression.
How to Prepare For a Digital Interview as a Hiring Manager
Candidates aren’t the only ones who can struggle when it comes to preparing for a digital interview. Hiring managers and recruiters can also experience nerves and concerns.
Here are some quick tips for hiring managers to ensure your digital interview process goes well:
Clearly define the role and requirements
Before starting to write your interview questions, determine the necessary characteristics, skills, and abilities of the candidate you’re looking for. Focus on the things that are absolutely essential to the role, rather than wasting too much time on skills that might be “nice to have”. This will help you write stronger questions.
Test your technology
Just like candidates, hiring managers and recruiters should also ensure their technology is working correctly before they start the interview process. If your video isn’t clear, or your audio doesn’t work properly, your candidates might not be able to understand what you’re asking. Experiment with the software you’re using.
Schedule the right time
If you’re having a face-to-face interview, make sure you schedule a time that’s appropriate for both you and your candidate. If you’re struggling to find the right time, it might be a good idea to consider a one-way or asynchronous interview. This can save you time trying to match calendars.
Develop a rating system
Decide how you’re going to judge the quality of your candidates in advance. Tools like Hireflix give companies the ability to rate candidate answers and share their opinions with other team members. Deciding what you’re going to assign scores for and choosing the right KPIs for recruiters will help you to make better decisions.
Emphasize active listening
Make sure you’re actively paying attention to what your candidates say during an interview. Tools like Hireflix are helpful here, as they allow you to review a candidate’s answer multiple times. This ensures you don’t miss any important details.
Mastering the Digital Interview
Digital interviews are an excellent tool for both hiring managers and candidates alike. With recruitment automation software and a digital hiring process, companies can save time and money. Plus, they can expand their talent pool and improve their chances of choosing the most qualified candidates for a role.
At the same time, candidates benefit from a less stressful, and more convenient interview process, improving their perception of the company’s employer brand.
If you’re planning on using a digital interview process to connect with your candidates, or you’re taking part in a digital interview soon, the tips above should help you to get the most out of your experience.
Remember, the right digital interviewing tool can go a long way toward ensuring success. A convenient solution like Hireflix can give hiring managers and recruiters all the tools they need to create and share powerful video interviews, with minimal effort.
