51% of U.S. managers prefer in-person job interviews

OKLAHOMA CITY, UNITED STATES — The post-pandemic hiring scene sees a tilt towards conventional practices, with 51% of hiring managers in the United States (U.S.) preferring in-person interviews.

According to a recent survey from The Harris Poll, commissioned by staffing firm Express Employment Professionals, most employers in the U.S. have returned to in-person interviews after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Despite this preference, the digital mode hasn’t been entirely discarded. The survey finds that 8% of managers maintain an online-only approach, while 40% use a mix of in-person and virtual elements. 

Unexpectedly, unannounced job applicant visits have found favor with 57% of employers, who interpret it as a sign of motivation and ambition. On the other hand, 35% view this behavior as obsessive, creepy, or out-of-date.

“Technology was such a wonderful asset to keep the workforce connected during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said  Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller.

However, Stoller also stated that returning to in-person interviews or a virtual component at the start of the hiring process “allows employers to assess soft skills that are hard to capture without meeting face-to-face.”

The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between June 13 and June 26, 2023, among 1,010 American hiring decision-makers.