The Correct Way to Conduct a Technical Online Interview

In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, the art of a great interview has moved online. While it offers immense flexibility, a poorly conducted virtual interview can miss out on key insights and even deter top talent. For IT companies in Sri Lanka, mastering this process is crucial for attracting and retaining the best minds.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to conducting a successful online interview for a tech candidate.

1. Before the Interview: Preparation is Everything

The virtual nature of the interview means you need to be even more prepared than for an in-person one.

• Set the Scene: Ensure your team is using a reliable video conferencing tool (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet) and that everyone has a stable internet connection. Test your camera and microphone beforehand.

• Share the Agenda: Send the candidate a clear agenda in advance. Let them know who will be on the call, what topics will be covered, and if there will be a live coding session or a technical challenge. This helps them feel prepared and reduces anxiety.

• Brief the Panel: If you have multiple interviewers, brief them on the candidate’s background and assign specific areas for each person to focus on (e.g., one on technical skills, one on soft skills, and another on culture fit). This prevents repetitive questions and makes the process more efficient.

2. During the Interview: Focus on Connection and Clarity

A great interview feels like a conversation, not an interrogation.

• Start with a Warm Welcome: Begin the interview with a friendly greeting and a brief introduction of everyone on the panel. A little small talk can help a candidate feel at ease.

• Check for Comfort: Ask the candidate if they can see and hear everyone clearly and if they are comfortable with the setup. This simple step shows you care about their experience.

• Structure Your Questions: Begin with behavioral questions to understand their experience and problem-solving approach. Move to technical questions and challenges, but remember that the goal is not to stump them, but to understand their thought process.

• The Coding Challenge: For a technical role, a live coding challenge is essential. Use a collaborative coding platform (e.g., Google Docs, CoderPad) that allows both you and the candidate to write code in real-time. Give them a clear problem and allow them to ask questions as they work through it.

• Evaluate Communication: A key aspect of a tech job is communication. Pay close attention to how the candidate explains their approach, their ability to articulate complex ideas, and how they respond to feedback.

3. After the Interview: The Follow-up

The interview isn’t over when the call ends. The follow-up is just as critical.

• Communicate the Next Steps: End the interview by clearly outlining the next steps in your process and the timeline. Let them know when they can expect to hear back from you.

• Provide Timely Feedback: In the fast-moving tech sector, a slow response can mean losing a great candidate. Aim to provide feedback—whether positive or negative—within a few business days.

By following these best practices, you can create a positive and effective interview experience for every candidate. A great interview not only helps you find the right person for the job but also enhances your company’s reputation as an employer of choice in Sri Lanka’s competitive IT industry.