How Do I Video Interview… A New Member for an Existing Team?

Every candidate comes with their own set of unique interviewing challenges. That’s why we’re tackling how to video interview different types of job seekers with this how-to series. Today, we’ll be talking about using video interviews to connect with the candidates who will need to seamlessly merge into an existing office team.

When it comes to a candidate who will become a new team member, personality and cultural fit will be just as important as qualifications and experience. If your candidate has all the experience in the world but will be trying to commandeer leadership of the group by the second week, this is a qualified candidate but a bad hire. You want to use the video interview to focus in on how well the job seeker will fit into your current company culture and will fit the needs of your current team.

When hiring a new team member, personality matters. Virtual interviews can be a great way to find out more about talented candidates before you hire a new team member who will just end up rocking the boat.

Here are some things to look out for in the video interview:

Look for cultural fit
When it comes to using virtual interviews for hiring a new team member, cultural fit might just be the key to a better employee. You obviously know your company culture better than anyone else, so keep this environment in mind when conducting a video interview. If you’re watching one-way virtual interviews, make sure to zero in on job seekers who will fit into the organization with ease.

You’ve worked hard to establish a great team and to maintain a positive company culture where workers enjoy showing up in the morning. Hiring the wrong member for your team can actually hurt the stability and productivity of your existing team. You want someone who can hit the ground running but will also be able to blend seamlessly into your existing project. This is why cultural fit should be the number-one attribute on your job seeker checklist.

Focus on hiring team players
When hiring a new member of an existing team, it should come as no surprise that the best hires will be team players. You can’t hire a job seeker with a lone wolf mentality for this position. You need someone who has no issues pitching in and helping out when needed. Sometimes, being a team player means knowing when to step back and let someone else take the reins.

When connecting with a job seeker using virtual interviews, use this opportunity to look for humility and a positive attitude. Those candidates who spend the entire interview talking up their own accomplishments and belittling the work of others will be the same employees who throw a monkey wrench into your hard-won company culture.

Ask questions about specific times they’ve worked in a team and what they learned from the experience. Ask about what they liked most and what they liked least about working in a team, and really listen to their answers.

It’s amazing how much a job seeker will give away about their attitudes towards teamwork in virtual interviews, even when they think they’re controlling their message. Watch nonverbal cues and make sure to steer clear of candidates who cringe at the first sign of the word collaboration.

Make sure they understand the role
When it comes to a well-oiled team, everyone has a role. If your candidate has to fit with ease into an existing team, it’s likely they’ll be taking on an existing role with specific parameters. It does no one any favors to talk up the job in virtual interviews to make it seem more impressive than it is.

Being truthful is the best thing you can do in order to make sure you find the best person for the job. Be honest about the responsibilities and limitations of the position. Most importantly, be truthful about the type of personality that would thrive in this position.

Finding a new team member who will be a cultural fit for your organization is no easy feat. But if you focus on these key attributes in the video interview, you can make sure you hire the right person for the job…and the team!

What are some ways you use video interviews to hire a new team member? Share in the comments!