Non-verbal communication is no less important than words in any interview. Facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, etc. provide us with a huge amount of information, whether we read them consciously or by intuition. Body language during asynchronous video interviews has some special features that can lead to misinterpretation. These tips will help recruiters to read virtual interview candidates’ body language and understand it correctly.
What is an on demand interview?
On-demand interviews, also known as asynchronous video interviews or virtual interviews, are part of the scanning stage of hiring. This kind of interview supposes that the recruiter prepares a list of standard questions. Candidates record their answers on video and share them with a recruiter through a special service, such as VideoApply.
What is specific about understanding body language in on-demand interviews?
Humans are adept at unconsciously reading and interpreting body language, even if we don't always realize it. In the case of screening interviews, recruiters have very restricted time to evaluate each candidate, so they have to trust their intuition to some extent. However, reading body language during on-demand interviews has some special features, since there is no actual vivid communication.
Tip 1. Candidates’ behavior during on-demand interview is a result of preparation
Candidates have time to prepare and choose the best record of answers. The better impression they make, the more time and effort they put into the preparation. Positive non-verbal signals are arguments for their enthusiasm. On the contrary, candidates who record their answers on the go or from a couch demonstrate a lack of interest.
Tip 2. Moderate anxiety is normal for a virtual interview
It’s normal to feel nervous to some degree during an interview. Furthermore, asynchronous interviews are a relatively new practice, so candidates will inevitably be rather agitated or restrained. Consider how intense their body language is. If they show extreme behaviors, it may raise concern. Meanwhile, a candidate who displays confidence may still show occasional nervousness, such as fidgeting, which is perfectly normal.
Tip 3. Consider role-specific demands
The importance of body language in an on-demand video interview may vary depending on the nature of the job. For roles that involve frequent public interaction or the ability to handle high-pressure situations, strong body language skills become even more critical.
Tip 4. Don’t expect spontaneous reactions during asynchronous video interview
Asynchronous interviews are different from direct communication. Candidates don’t have the opportunity to show their enthusiasm by mirroring the interviewer's gestures. You can expect them to be more formal than during a live interview.
Tip 5. Pay attention to key body language cues
Facial expressions
Genuine smiles and raised eyebrows indicate engagement. Although it is hard to make a natural smile during a virtual interview, even a polite formal smile is a good sign.
Pose and posture
Straight posture and relaxed gestures convey confidence and professionalism. Slouching may mean disinterest but also may be a physiological feature. Remember that camera position may also affect our perception of pose. Crossed arms are a defensive position, which is usual for a stressful situation. If a generally relaxed person accidentally crosses arms it isn’t worth much attention. However, if a candidate is tense and keeps crossed arms high that means it costs him a lot of effort to overcome stress.
Eye contact
Regular eye contact is a natural way for people to connect, so it generally shows confidence and comfort. However, you can expect candidates to look on screen rather than directly on camera. In any case, constantly shifting eyes, looking down or to the side may indicate a lack of engagement, excessive anxiety, or inability to keep attention.
Final word
By considering the context of the interview, recruiters can gain valuable insights from a candidate's nonverbal cues. A single gesture might not tell the whole story, but by focusing on consistent behaviors you can gain a better understanding of the candidate's true fit for the role.
