The world of hiring is constantly evolving. From the surges in AI to digital hiring, organizations are reimagining traditional approaches to finding the best candidates. Traditional interviews are one thing that many organizations are moving away from. Instead, an innovative method gaining popularity is the working interview.

Unlike traditional interviews that rely solely on conversations, working interviews provide a dynamic and immersive experience for professionals and organizations.

Organizations can’t fully trust traditional interviews to provide the full picture since they don’t evaluate professionals’ skills properly. Someone may say they meet all the requirements, but once they start on the job, you come to the unfortunate realization that they don’t. Whereas on a working interview, you’d recognize any skill gaps before committing to hiring for a permanent role.

We’ll explore the reasons that traditional interviews are outdated and why working interviews are the new way to hire.

The Problem with Traditional Interviews

In today’s digital age, traditional interviews alone may not be sufficient in assessing professionals’ true skills and abilities. With the rising popularity of artificial intelligence (AI), candidates can now use technology to create resumes and cover letters that may not always reflect their actual skills and qualifications (see more here). The reliance on AI-generated materials can lead to gaps between candidates’ stated skills and their true capabilities. So, traditional interviews may fall short of accurately assessing professionals for a role.

This is where working interviews shine. They allow organizations to go beyond the polished facade of a resume and strong interview skills. Working interviews let you accurately assess candidates’ skills, cultural fit, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative potential. Plus, working interviews offer professionals a more engaging and authentic experience, allowing them the opportunity to test out a company or position.

On top of all that, did you know that working interviews save you money? Read more here!

Where Working Interviews Excel

Evaluate Professionals Skills

In traditional interviews, professionals often describe their skills and experiences verbally, but actions speak louder than words. Working interviews allow candidates to showcase their abilities on the job. You can actively evaluate professionals’ skills and cultural fit by assigning real tasks or projects. This hands-on assessment provides a more accurate representation of their potential before you hire them permanently.

Get Professionals Quicker

With working interviews, you not only get a better sense of professionals’ abilities but also get employees through your door and tasks done quicker. You don’t need to spend hours interviewing until someone checks all your boxes. Instead, hire multiple professionals for a working interview. If someone doesn’t meet your needs, you don’t have to schedule them again, and you can send a permanent offer to those who meet or exceed expectations. It’s a win-win scenario – the professionals had a chance to prove themselves and make some quick cash, and you get tasks done while finding your perfect match.

Assess Cultural Fit

Traditional interviews attempt to gauge cultural fit through conversations and having candidates meet different team members, but working interviews take it further. By immersing professionals in the actual environment, you can assess their compatibility firsthand. They can experience the company culture, interact with team members, and witness the organizational dynamics. 62% of Canadians leave their current jobs due to company culture, so wouldn’t you want to know if a candidate is a fit beforehand? Immersing them in the culture leads to a stronger fit and better long-term hires.

Real-Time Problem-Solving

In today’s fast-paced landscape, problem-solving skills and adaptability are highly sought after. By presenting candidates with real challenges or scenarios in working interviews, you can observe their ability to think on their feet, make informed decisions, and adapt to unexpected situations. This real-time evaluation showcases a candidate’s problem-solving skills and provides insights into their performance in the role.

Collaborative Assessment

Successful teamwork and collaboration are vital for the success of any organization. While traditional interviews only scratch the surface of a professional’s collaborative skills, working interviews allow candidates to engage directly with the team. Participating in team projects or tasks demonstrates their ability to communicate and contribute effectively within a group setting. This firsthand experience gives you a more accurate assessment of a professional’s collaboration skills.

Positive Candidate Experience

Candidate experience is important for attracting top talent. Traditional interviews can be nerve-wracking and feel one-sided for many candidates. On the other hand, working interviews provide a more engaging and interactive experience. Professionals feel valued and empowered when they can demonstrate their skills and contribute to the organization. The transparency and authenticity of working interviews also allow them to experience the role, environment, and company culture. This increases the likelihood of attracting professionals to your organization.

Ready to say goodbye to traditional interviews? Try a working interview with AmbiMi!