As 2020 comes to a close, it is clear that social distancing isn’t going anywhere. The apartment industry adapted quickly with virtual walkthroughs, virtual maintenance techniques, and non-contact rent payments, among many other adjustments. Because of this professional pivot, apartment leasing has not taken a hit. Meanwhile, many other industries have struggled. This means leasing agents are still in high demand, and the need for successful virtual hiring remains very important.

 

The video conferencing platform Zoom has taken the lead in the professional space. This is especially true when it comes to virtual interviews. However, researchers have not yet studied the success rate of virtual hires. We will see in 2021 if attrition rises because of bad hires made over the internet—hires that perhaps would not have been made in person.

Below, we share some great tips to help you do the best job possible when hiring leasing agents over Zoom.

 

1. Let the Candidate Do Most of the Talking

Every hiring manager has their own interview style. For some, that means letting the potential candidate guide the conversation. However, virtual interviewing can sometimes push the hiring manager to dominate the talking time because of the awkwardness of video conferencing.

The best way to handle this is to prepare open-ended questions. Lead the candidate to do most of the talking. You want to see how comfortable they are with technology and with speaking virtually—since they will likely use these skills to sell your property to potential residents.

 

2. Pretend to Have Technical Difficulties

This one might seem a little crazy, but stay with us. Since virtual selling will likely be part of the job, you want to be sure the leasing agent can handle a small bump in the road.

Difficulties with Zoom are common. The sound may cut out, or the connection may drop entirely. This may even happen naturally during the interview. If it does, pay close attention to how the candidate handles the situation. Do they try to problem-solve? Do they zone out? Do they get flustered? Their reaction can tell you a lot about how they will eventually interact with potential residents.

 

3. Do a Social Media Search Before the Interview

For some hiring managers, searching a candidate’s social media is a standard practice. A quick search can give you a lot of information, including the persona the candidate projects online and what might become associated with your property if you hire them.

Look for any obvious red flags. At the same time, a social media review can provide great interview questions you won’t find on a resume. This might include hobbies, interests, or personal projects they share online.

 

4. Have Them Do a Virtual Walkthrough

Before the interview, send the prospective candidate a video of an apartment home walkthrough. Ask them to present it to you during the Zoom interview. You can load the video directly into the conference call, or simply have them hold their phone to the camera and walk you through it.

This exercise is the closest you will get to seeing how they will actually perform the job you are hiring them for.

 

In many ways, hiring over Zoom can bring real benefits that help you achieve successful hires. Since the world will continue practicing social distancing for some time, it is imperative to adopt virtual hiring practices and use them to your advantage.