Finding the Best Job Interview Format

​Before the pandemic, virtual interviews were rarely part of the hiring process. But as businesses began sending employees home to work in 2020, interviewing via video became commonplace. Three years later, even though social distancing mandates are now just a memory, many companies continue to use virtual interviews for at least part of their hiring process.

The primary reason is that virtual interviews ­enable employers to consider more candidates from a wider geographic area. For organizations that are now ­mostly virtual, this is a big plus. Video interviews can also speed up recruiting and hiring processes, allowing companies to extend offers faster, which can be essential when labor is in high demand.

PwC, a global professional services firm, has adopted a fully remote interview process to expand its talent pool. “We’re able to reach people from a vast range of experiences and diverse backgrounds,” says Rod Adams, PwC talent acquisition and onboarding leader. “Previously, if our firm didn’t have a physical presence at a particular school or in a certain location, it was difficult to build a relationship with the people there.”

However, a recent study from the
American ­Staffing Association found that 70 percent of American job seekers actually prefer in-person interviews. “Candidates want to see the company they’ll be working for and the people they’ll be working with in person,” explains Maria R. Pell, managing director at Hechkoff Executive Search Inc. in…