33pc of employers pro remote hiring despite virtual interview concerns

A new survey conducted by recruitment agency Robert Walters has revealed that one-third of Irish employers are considering hiring professionals without meeting them in person, despite only 18% believing virtual interviews are the most effective method to identify the best candidate. The pandemic has led to a growing appreciation for remote working, offering professionals greater work-life balance, opportunities to travel, and overall a more convenient lifestyle.

For employers, remote working reduces overhead costs, increases access to a global talent pool, and is seen as a valuable workplace perk. A study conducted in August involved 500 white-collar professionals and business leaders in Ireland, and the results showed a disconnect in sentiment regarding remote working and virtual interviews.

While 33% of employers would hire professionals without a face-to-face meeting, only 18% found virtual interviews to be the most effective way to identify the best candidate.

Suzanne Feeney, the country manager at Robert Walters Ireland, highlighted several reasons for this disconnect. Meeting someone in-person allows for a better understanding of communication style and how they fit into different environments. When interactions are online, these aspects can be lost, and interactions may feel less natural.

Time lags and poor audio or video quality can create "digital barriers" that obscure a jobseeker's character and personality. Over 25% of respondents still believe in the value of face-to-face strategies, but many workers also have faith in video interviews, recognizing that while they may lack the ability to read body language (34%) and provide a limited sense of overall culture fit (39%), they are still a viable option in theory.

The pandemic has changed the hiring landscape, with virtual hiring only being used in rare cases before. Today, despite doubts about the overall effectiveness of virtual interviews, four out of ten employers say they would hire someone they hadn't met in person. Employers are facing various challenges, such as time constraints, tighter budgets, and skills shortages in areas like finance, engineering, and technology.

This has led to shifts in recruitment strategies, with a growing reliance on virtual interviews. While virtual interviews offer convenience, speed, and efficiency, they often fail to provide a complete picture of a jobseeker's experience and abilities, potentially leading to inconsistencies, errors, and reinforced bias. To ensure well-informed and fair hiring outcomes, a more balanced, multi-stage approach that includes CV screening, skills-based tests, work simulations, and both in-person and virtual interviews is recommended.