Template
Remote job interview template
A job interview held over video: the same fair, structured questions, plus the things that go wrong on a call — the technology, the exercise, and making sure the candidate learns about the team they cannot visit.
The agenda, with a time for each part
- Check the call works3 min
- Can you hear and see us clearly? If we get cut off, we will call you on this number.
- How the hour will run3 min
- Here is what we will cover and when you can ask questions.
- Their experience, in their words15 min
- Tell us about the work you are proudest of.
- A shared-screen exercise20 min
- Can you share your screen and walk us through how you would approach this?
- What it is like to work here10 min
- What would you like to know about the team and how we work day to day?
- Next steps and timing9 min
- When will you hear from us, and what happens next?
How the notes read afterwards
A made-up example, so you can see the shape. In a real call each line carries the words that were said and who said them.
Call. Dropped once; reconnected in a minute.
Proudest work. Led a move of 300 customers to a new system.
Exercise. Walked through a messy spreadsheet and found the duplicate invoices in eight minutes.
Their questions. How the team collaborates across time zones.
Next. Decision by Friday.
Running it well
- Send the link, the names of the interviewers and a phone number to use if the call fails, the day before.
- Plan the exercise for a shared screen: send any materials in advance and allow time for the technology. Do not mark people down for their internet.
- Give the candidate time to learn about the team. They cannot see the office, so tell them how a normal day actually works.
Ways to change it
When to skip it. Never skip the technology check at the start.
Questions
How do you run a fair video interview?
Use the same structured questions as in person, check the technology first, send materials in advance, and do not judge candidates on their internet or home setting.
What should a remote interview include that an in-person one does not?
A tech check, a backup plan if the call fails, and more time for the candidate to learn about the team they cannot visit.
Should candidates keep their camera on?
It usually helps both sides, but be flexible if their connection is poor.
What happens in the room
Everybody joins from the link, with no account. The agenda sits beside the call and each item fills in with what was said about it, under the name of the person who said it.
More templates
Try Meetful
Meetings that take their own notes
Free video meetings in the browser: every line of the transcript under the name of who said it, and the summary and action items when you hang up. Nothing to install — guests just open the link.