How can you evaluate communication and interpersonal skills in online interviews?

1 Prepare clear and relevant questions

Before the interview, prepare some questions that will test the communication and interpersonal skills of the candidates. For example, you can ask them to explain a complex concept in simple terms, to share a time when they had to collaborate with others remotely, or to handle a hypothetical scenario involving a difficult customer or colleague. Make sure the questions are relevant to the role and the company culture, and avoid ambiguous or vague wording.

2 Observe verbal and non-verbal cues

During the interview, pay attention to how the candidates communicate verbally and non-verbally. For verbal communication, listen to their tone, clarity, fluency, and confidence. Do they speak clearly and concisely, or do they ramble or stutter? Do they use appropriate language and terminology, or do they use slang or jargon? Do they sound enthusiastic and engaged, or bored and distracted? For non-verbal communication, observe their body language, eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures. Do they look at the camera or the screen, or do they look away or down? Do they smile and nod, or do they frown and shake their head? Do they use gestures to emphasize their points, or do they cross their arms or touch their face?

3 Test written communication skills

Depending on the role and the company, you may also need to test the written communication skills of the candidates. You can do this by asking them to complete a written assignment, such as a short report, an email, or a blog post. Alternatively, you can use a chat or a messaging platform to communicate with them during or after the interview. In either case, look for their spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. Do they write clearly and correctly, or do they make errors or typos? Do they use a professional and polite tone, or do they use informal or rude language? Do they structure their writing logically and coherently, or do they write in long or confusing paragraphs?

4 Use multiple methods and tools

One way to get a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation of communication and interpersonal skills in online interviews is to use multiple methods and tools. For example, you can use a combination of video, audio, and text platforms to interact with the candidates, such as Zoom, Skype, Slack, or Google Docs. This way, you can see how they adapt to different modes and formats of communication, and how they use various features and functions to enhance their communication. You can also use online assessment tools, such as personality tests, behavioral tests, or situational judgment tests, to measure some aspects of communication and interpersonal skills, such as empathy, teamwork, or conflict resolution.