As the coronavirus continues to affect nearly every aspect of our lives, those who are job hunting need to prepare for a dramatically different interviewing environment. Instead of going into an office and meeting with people face-to-face, you should expect to conduct video job interviews for the foreseeable future.
It’s best, therefore, to have an understanding of how to effectively conduct a video interview so that you can be confident and wow the interviewers in this time of social distancing.
First, it’s important to have the correct mentality when taking part in a video interview, according to a recent Fast Company article highlighting advice from LinkedIn’s head of career products.
You’ll want to prepare for the interview in the same way you would for a face to face interview. Do your research. Prepare your list of questions about the organization, the role and the hiring manager. Engage with the interviewers and take good notes. You’re still trying to sell yourself in this interview, you don’t want to take a casual approach.
“If you really want the job, make that crystal clear in your ‘thank you’ email after the interview. The same applies if you’re not interested in the role. Finally, be patient if a recruiter or hiring manager is taking longer than usual to get back to you. Hiring requires buy-in and approval from a number of different people,” according to the article. “Without the ability for everyone to physically be in one room to provide feedback and collectively agree, your interviewers may need a bit longer than usual to make a decision.”
Beyond having the right mentality, you should take care of more technical aspects of the job interview via video, including testing your internet connection and familiarity with the software. “Check your internet connection speed to help ensure your video will come across smoothly. It’s also a good idea to download the virtual meeting tools that are used to conduct interviews, like Microsoft Teams and Google Hangouts, which are currently being made available for free test runs,” as noted by Fast Company. Zoom, another popular software for online meetings, offers a free trial version that you can test to make sure your camera and microphone are working properly before the meeting.
Along with your internet connection, it’s crucial that you both look the part and have a professional setting to take the call. You should treat the video interview as if you were going into the office. “Doing this will not only help you feel more confident, but it’ll also give a good impression to the person on the other side of the screen,” according to the article. That means dressing up and looking presentable.
Meanwhile, try and take the call in a neutral, clean area that exudes professionalism. “’It’s important to remember that video interviews give a peek into your personal life, so make sure that your space is clean and free of distractions. If possible, keep pets and family members in another room during the interview,” according to the Fast Company article. Camera angle is another important consideration. Position your camera so that you’re able to make eye contact with the interviewer by looking into the camera rather than looking at a monitor to the side or too far above or below the camera. This will help the interviewer focus on your discussion not a distracting camera angle.
By following these pieces of advice, you’ll ensure you’re set up for success during your video job interviews. In turn, that can help you find the right position for you, even during this challenging time.
Recent Comments