In these unprecedented times, you might be thinking of putting your job search on hold, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Whilst there is indeed uncertainty, many employers still have business-critical hires they need to make during this period and as a result, have adapted their hiring process to make use of the latest technology and implement social distancing. We can also expect an increase in interim appointments, typical in times of economic uncertainty.
You can indeed continue and succeed in your job search by perfecting your video interviewing technique.
Here are our tips for preparing for a digital interview;
Are you familiar with the chosen technology?
Ensure you have downloaded the correct app chosen for the call. Make sure any usernames and photos are suitable for professional use. Many of your video call platforms may have been set up with the aim of keeping in touch with family and friends so worth checking beforehand to avoid embarrassment! Do ensure your internet connection and speakers are up to speed and put phones and laptops on Do Not Disturb to avoid any interruptions. We also recommend practising with your recruiter beforehand to make any adjustments to body posture or eye contact and ask them to give you feedback until it feels natural.
Where are you going to take the call?
Choose a quiet spot without interruptions and think about the light and background. E.g. having a window behind you could mean you are just a silhouette. Ensure there is nothing behind you that will distract the interview – a neutral wall would be best. Consider using headphones as ambient noise from a portable device isn’t always clear. Headphone microphones are closer to the mouth and you will be able to hear their responses clearer through the speakers as they will yours.
What will you wear?
Dress exactly as you would for a face to face interview – including bottom half! Dress to impress and avoid busy patterns or bright colours which again could be a distraction.
Eye contact/body language?
As with a face to face to face interview and perhaps more difficult to convey over video is eye contact and correct body language. Avoid the instinct to look directly at your interviewer on the screen while you’re answering a question. Instead, when you speak, you want to direct your gaze at the webcam. When you do this, your eyes are more likely to align with the interviewer’s eyes on the other end.
Body language is equally as important as what you say. Throughout the interview, keep your mood upbeat and convey optimism with your body language. One way to achieve this is to have good posture. Sit in your chair with your back straight and your shoulders open.
When you’re listening, nod and smile when appropriate to communicate that you’re giving them your full attention. Use hand gestures when it feels appropriate and keep your movements close to your body. Avoid fidgeting or letting your gaze drift away from the device.
What if things go wrong?
Whilst the above will go a long way to ensure a seamless video interview, there are times when things will go wrong. Our clients have indicated that they will schedule longer interview slots to compensate for lost connections or technical difficulties.
Don’t panic, should the issues not be rectified quickly, ask for a mobile number to continue the interview over the phone.
Should the video call be interrupted by unexpected noise or a family member inside, apologise to the interviewer, ask for a minute, mute the call whilst you deal with the interruption quickly, before continuing.
If you are job hunting in the current climate, don’t feel like you need to give up. With some small adjustments and by practising your digital interview skills, there are still opportunities out there.
And now is a great time to make time to talk to the team at Kinetech about your current situation and career goals. We are available for a virtual coffee and a Teams call any time.
Things will improve and we can continue to build relationships during this time for when that improvement comes.
Do get in touch for any further guidance or to arrange a call.
