You're conducting a crucial virtual interview. What do you do when technical issues arise?
When tech issues interrupt a virtual interview, what's your go-to strategy? Share your best practices for navigating these challenges.
You're conducting a crucial virtual interview. What do you do when technical issues arise?
When tech issues interrupt a virtual interview, what's your go-to strategy? Share your best practices for navigating these challenges.
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Technical issues happen, no big deal! The key is to stay calm and make sure the candidate doesn’t panic either. I’d acknowledge the issue, reassure them that it’s not a problem, and quickly look for an alternative—whether that’s switching to a phone call, another video platform, or rescheduling if needed. The goal is to keep the process smooth and stress-free for both sides! 😊
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When technical issues arise during a virtual interview, first, remain calm and composed to reassure the candidate. Attempt to troubleshoot the problem by checking your connection, audio, or video settings. If the issue persists, suggest rescheduling the interview or switching to an alternative communication method, such as a phone call or another video platform, to ensure a smooth continuation of the conversation.
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Stay calm—tech issues happen. First, acknowledge the problem so the candidate doesn’t feel awkward. If it's a minor glitch, like audio cutting out, try simple fixes—refreshing the call, switching devices, or using the chat function. If it's a bigger issue, suggest rescheduling instead of forcing a frustrating conversation. Most importantly, stay patient and understanding—it’s how you handle the situation that sets the tone for the interview.
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Unforeseen challenges are a great test for everyone involved! Be human. Explain the issue and give solutions (reschedule / phone call etc). Situations like this can be a great way to get an understanding of how people respond when things don't go to plan. Worth also flagging that we should be empathetic when it happens to candidates!
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Inform the interviewee about the issue as soon as possible. Apologize for the inconvenience and let them know you are working to resolve it. Try basic troubleshooting steps such as checking your internet connection, restarting your device, or switching to a different platform if possible. If the issue cannot be resolved quickly, suggest an alternative. This could be rescheduling the interview, switching to a phone call, or using a different video conferencing tool. Learn from the experience and take steps to prevent similar issues in the future. This might include testing your equipment beforehand, having a backup device ready, or ensuring you have a stable internet connection.
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Just call your candidate, via phone. If that's not possible drop an email asking to reschedule. Keep calm and positive, ensure that the candidate feels valued and respected.
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Panic. Absolute, unfiltered panic. A virtual interview is when they assess not just your skills, but also how fast you can reboot your router.
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Picture this: You’re in the middle of a virtual interview, the conversation is flowing, and then—bam!—someone freezes mid-sentence, audio cuts out, or the dreaded “Your internet connection is unstable” message pops up. First things first, don’t panic. Tech issues happen to the best of us, and how you handle them speaks volumes. Stay calm, acknowledge the hiccup with a little humour if the situation allows, and have a backup plan ready—whether it’s switching to a phone call, using a different platform, or rescheduling if needed. The key is to keep the momentum going while making sure the candidate feels at ease. After all, adaptability is just as important as technical skills, and this is a great moment to show yours
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If technical issues arise during a virtual interview, stay calm, quickly assess the problem, and try basic troubleshooting like refreshing the browser or rejoining the meeting. If the issue persists, switch to an alternative method like a phone call or reschedule as needed while maintaining professionalism and flexibility.
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