What is a panel interview?

In this type of interview, multiple interviewers participate to assess the candidate. Traditionally, everyone is in the same room. However, a virtual panel interview uses video platforms to put everyone in the same virtual room even though they’re in different locations. Interviewers typically take turns asking questions and interacting with the interviewee.

Pros of a virtual panel interview

There are several reasons you might want to conduct a remote panel interview. Here are some advantages of this interview format:

• Multiple perspectives: Having several people from your team join the virtual interview lets you hear different perspectives on the candidates. This can help you make a better hiring decision.
• Convenient scheduling: It can be difficult to find a time when all your interviewers and the interviewee can be in the same physical location. When you’re coordinating multiple schedules, a virtual option is usually easier since participants can join from a convenient location.
• Input from various locations: If you have a fully remote team or part of the interview team works in different locations, it can be challenging to gather in one spot for a panel interview. Doing a virtual panel interview lets you involve the right team members no matter where they’re located.
• Testing tech skills: If you’re hiring for a position that relies on technology, conducting a remote panel interview can help you assess the candidate’s skills. You can see how confident they are in using the platform and how they handle tech issues if they pop up.

Cons of a virtual panel interview

Holding a panel interview virtually creates some unique challenges. Being aware of these issues can help you minimize them to make the interview more successful. Here are some potential drawbacks of an online panel interview: 

• Technology problems: Whenever you use technology, it’s common to have issues, whether it’s a connectivity problem or software that doesn’t cooperate. With multiple people joining the online panel interview, the chances of at least one person having tech issues are higher. This can delay the interview or force you to choose an alternative method.
• Delays in audio: Even if everyone joins the virtual room correctly, there could be some delays in the audio. This can make it difficult to follow the conversation and may result in awkward pauses.
• Communication timing: When you’re sitting in the same room, it’s often easier to tell who’s about to talk. Virtually, it can be difficult to pick up on some of those nonverbal cues. Additionally, audio delays could result in two people talking at once or pauses where everyone is waiting for someone else to speak.

How to arrange a remote panel interview

Since you’re dealing with technology and multiple people, a remote panel interview takes a little more work to coordinate. Use these steps to prepare and reduce potential problems.

1. Choose the interviewers

A panel interview can include two or more interviewers. However, too many interviewers can make the experience intimidating, cause more interruptions and make it more difficult to agree on a candidate. Panels often have three to five people. Consider how many people you feel are necessary for your situation. Identify people who will have the best input, such as the direct supervisor for the role or someone who has been in the position.

2. Set up the tech

If you’re just starting to use virtual interviewing, the tech aspect can take some time to learn. Ensure all interviewers have the software installed on their work computers ahead of the interview. Creating a cheat sheet with all the features of the platform, such as muting yourself, chat features or screen sharing, ensures everyone knows what the options are and how to use them. You might hold a mini training session or mock interview so everyone can play with the features.

3. Determine the interview questions

Everyone needs a list of the interview questions beforehand. This helps create a standardized interview process and allows the interviewers to prepare. Review and finalize the questions before sending them to the panelists.

Once the interview questions have been confirmed, it’s important to coordinate with other panel members. Consider deciding which members will ask which questions. You’ll also want to break the questions into specific topic clusters that each panelist can focus on.

4. Establish a scoring system

Using a virtual panel interview gives you different perspectives on candidates, but you also want a way to standardize the evaluations and fairly assess each candidate. Having an interview scoring sheet with a standardized scoring system can create more consistency in how the interviewers rank the candidates. Discuss the system and note-taking expectations to ensure every participant contributes to evaluating the candidates.

5. Set expectations

Review etiquette with your interviewers to ensure they know what you expect. This might include expectations for dress, manners and the location requirements for the virtual interview. For example, you might discuss acceptable backgrounds, lighting and noise levels for the virtual interview location. Setting expectations helps create a more uniform, professional experience for your candidates.

6. Meet before the interview

Getting together to review the processes and agenda can reduce confusion and interruptions during the interview. Discuss the order of events during the interview, and assign questions to specific panelists. This gives the interviewers a chance to ask questions or clarify expectations if needed.

Tips for conducting an online panel interview

Follow these best practices for virtual interviews to make them more effective:

• Do a test run: Have all interviewers join early to verify that everything is working correctly. This gives you time to correct connection issues if you have them. 
• Ensure a secure environment: A password-protected virtual meeting room prevents other people from popping into the interview. Ensure only the required participants get the invite and have the password. 
• Assign a host or facilitator: Having someone lead the virtual panel interview cuts down on confusion and interruptions. This person can welcome the candidate and help keep the interview moving. 
• Have alternative contact information handy: In case the tech completely fails, having the candidate’s phone number handy is a good idea. You can reach out to them to reschedule or conduct an alternative interview type. 
• Expect some noise: Ideally, all participants will choose a quiet spot for the virtual interview . However, it can be impossible to stop all background noise. Be understanding if an unexpected noise or interruption happens, within reason.
• Meet after the interview: Having the interviewers stick around after the candidate leaves the virtual room lets you discuss the answers and assessment of the person immediately. It’s convenient because everyone is already together virtually, so you don’t have to schedule another time later. 

Virtual panel interviews take coordination, but they can be an effective tool for evaluating job candidates. Establish procedures and expectations to make them more effective, and look for ways to improve after each time.