31 Best Video Interview Questions for a Successful & Smooth Recruiting

It’s no secret that interviews can be a stressful experience – for both the interviewer and the interviewee.

When it comes to employer/potential employee relations, nothing is more important than making sure that both sides are on the same page from the very beginning.

With that in mind, one of the best ways to ensure a successful and smooth recruitment process is to conduct a video interview. 

“86% of employers believe that video interviewing has improved their hiring process.” Click To Tweet

In recent years, video interviews have become increasingly popular as they offer numerous advantages.

They help potential candidates save precious time and money by removing the need to travel long distances for in-person meetings while allowing a hiring manager to comprehend a candidate’s personality and communication skills more acutely.

To help you get the most out of video interviews, we’ve put together a curated list of 31 excellent video interview questions and useful video interview tips to boost your recruiting success.

Taking some time to plan ahead for upcoming meetings can be incredibly helpful in reducing stress and setting yourself up for achieving a smooth hiring process and a successful job interview!

Let’s go!

Tips for a Successful Virtual Interview

Tip #1. Develop video interview questions that will help you identify the best candidate for the position.

Tip #2. Set a video call with potential candidates at a predetermined time and date.

Tip #3. Make sure to have the necessary materials on hand (i.e.: resume, video conferencing tools, internet connection) prior to the video call start time.

Tip #4. Make sure all video interviews are conducted in a professional setting by both the interviewer and the job seeker.

Tip #5. Introduce yourself and your company before starting the video interview process.

Tip #6. Ask open-ended questions to allow candidates to provide detailed answers and demonstrate their knowledge of the topic at hand.

Tip #7. Maintain eye contact throughout the interview.

Tip #8. Structure video interviews similarly to in-person interviews so that each candidate has a chance to answer the same set of questions.

Tip #9. Structure video interviews similarly to in-person interviews so that each candidate has a chance to answer the same set of questions.

Tip #10. Ask follow-up questions for clarification or additional information if needed during video interview session(s).

Tip #11. Thank each candidate for participating in the video interview once completed and inform them of the next step.

Tip #12. Make sure video interviews are recorded in order for future review and discussion by both interviewer and candidate afterward.

 

Best Open-Ended Video Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself and why you are interested in this job.

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question allows potential candidates to open up and share information about themselves that may not be included on a resume or cover letter.

2. What experience have you had that makes you the best candidate for this role?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you gauge how knowledgeable the candidate is on the job description and requirements and increases their chances of success if they are hired.

3. What do you believe sets you apart from other candidates who may be applying for similar positions?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you evaluate the candidate’s confidence level and self-awareness. It also gives them an opportunity to showcase their unique skills and experience.

4. How would your previous supervisor or colleagues describe you?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you an idea of how the candidate interacts with coworkers and how they would fit in with your company culture and work environment.

5. What is your greatest strength and how have you applied it in the workplace?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you assess the candidate’s professional work ethic and how they would be able to contribute to your team.

6. How do you handle difficult tasks or projects?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you understand how the candidate handles challenging situations and their ability to stay focused and organized.

7. What challenges have you encountered in previous positions, and how did you overcome them?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you insight into the candidate’s problem-solving skills and how they handle difficult situations.

8. Are there any other skills or accomplishments related to this position that we should be aware of?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question gives the candidate an opportunity to highlight their skill set and any other areas of expertise that may be applicable to the job.

9. Give an example of a time when you solved a problem or achieved a goal by working collaboratively with others.

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you evaluate the candidate’s teamwork skills and how they handle conflict resolution.

10. Is there anything else we should know about you that didn’t come up during the video interview process?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question gives the candidate an opportunity to add any additional information that may be relevant to their candidacy.

11. What questions do you have for us?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you evaluate the candidate’s interest in the position and company. It also gives them an opportunity to get additional information that may help them make an informed decision about the job offer.

 

10 Best Yes/No Video Interview Questions

1. Are you able to work independently?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you assess the candidate’s ability to work without supervision.

2. Do you have experience with project management?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you an idea of the candidate’s previous experience with managing and completing projects.

3. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you determine how well the candidate is able to cope with a high-pressure setting.

4. Have you ever led a team before?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you an idea of the candidate’s leadership skills and ability to motivate a team.

5. Are you available to work overtime, if necessary?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you assess the candidate’s willingness to go above and beyond in order to meet deadlines.

6. Are you able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you an indication of the candidate’s ability to stay organized and manage their time effectively.

7. Are you able to travel on short notice if necessary?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you determine the candidate’s flexibility and willingness to travel for business purposes.

8. Are you comfortable dealing with customer complaints in a professional manner?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you evaluate the candidate’s ability to handle challenging customer situations in a calm and composed manner.

9. Are you able to take direction and feedback well?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you assess the candidate’s ability to accept and use feedback in order to achieve better performance.

10. Are you comfortable working with a diverse team of people?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you an indication of the candidate’s ability to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

 

10 Challenging Video Interview Questions

1. What was your greatest accomplishment in your last role?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you determine how well the candidate is able to set and reach goals.

2. Describe a time when you had to work on tight deadlines or under difficult circumstances.

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you assess the candidate’s ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.

3. What would you say is your biggest weakness as it relates to this job?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you an opportunity to evaluate the candidate’s self-awareness and ability to recognize areas for growth.

4. How have you gone above and beyond in any of your previous roles?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you gauge the candidate’s commitment to exceeding expectations.

5. What leadership style best describes how you manage projects and teams?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you gauge the candidate’s leadership technique and capability to inspire their team.

6. Have you ever identified an issue or opportunity and devised a plan to address it?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you determine how well the candidate is able to think critically and problem-solve effectively.

7. Describe a situation when you had to make an important decision with limited information.

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will help you determine the candidate’s ability to make decisions quickly and accurately even in uncertain situations.

8. Are there any areas of this role that you feel less confident about?

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you an idea about the candidate’s knowledge and experience in certain areas, as well as their potential to learn and develop.

9. Describe a difficult customer experience and how you handled it.

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will enable you to evaluate the candidate’s ability to handle customer complaints and difficult situations in a professional manner.

10.  Describe a situation when you had to work with a difficult colleague.

👍🏻 Why this is a good video interview question: This question will give you an insight into the candidate’s ability to collaborate with team members, even when there are disagreements.

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People Also Ask These Questions About Video Interview Questions

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of video interview questions?

• A: Video interview questions make it possible to evaluate potential candidates’ body language, and non-verbal communication and interact with them in real-time. The only drawbacks of video interviews include the possibility of technical problems as well as extended duration compared to traditional face-to-face interviews.

Q:  How many video interview questions should I use?

• A: The number of video interview questions you use during your interview depends on the position, the length of your interview, the number of technical questions you need to ask, and any other personal questions you want to ask. Many hiring managers put together enough questions to qualify applicants without asking too many that it becomes too difficult to review each applicant.

Q: Are video interviews more effective than in-person ones?

• A: Whether video interviews are more effective than in-person ones will depend on the situation and the company. While video interviews can be beneficial in some cases, they may not be the best option if an in-person interview is possible. It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of video interviews before making a decision.

Q:  How can I make sure the video interview goes smoothly?

• A: To make sure your video interview goes without a hitch, take the time to acquire all of the technical equipment ahead of time. Don’t forget to try out the video conferencing software and other pieces you will be utilizing for this meeting as well. It’s also essential that you provide clear instructions on how to connect with you virtually beforehand and set aside enough space for questions from job candidates. All in all, ensuring that there is plenty of preparation before beginning can go a long way toward having an effective virtual discussion.

Q: What types of questions should I ask during a video interview?

• A: The types of questions you should ask during a video interview will depend on the role and the company. Generally, common video interview questions focus on asking questions about the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications. You should also ask questions that will help you evaluate the candidate’s ability to handle customer complaints and difficult situations. Finally, you should ask questions that will help you determine the candidate’s ability to think critically and problem-solve.

Q: How long should video interviews last?

• A: The length of video interviews will depend on the role and the company. Generally, video interviews should take around 30 minutes to an hour.