The world of job hunting, much like everything else has changed a lot in recent times.
Certainly the job market itself is more competitive, with fewer and different jobs available and more people seeking them.
But that is only part of the story...
The ways that we show our suitability for these roles have changed too, with video interviews now commonplace and often the only option for job hunters.
It can be a daunting prospect. Particularly if you aren’t accustomed to things like Zoom, FaceTime and Skype.
If you are terrified by the prospect of engaging with potential employers via video, looking to gain an advantage over the rest or simply looking to put your best foot forward and give it everything, there are a range of things you can do to make sure everything goes well.
Usernames
Choose them with care and keep them professional. It might be tempting to use existing usernames but if you’ve only ever spoken to friends via Zoom, FaceTime or Skype then that name you go by may well be a nickname or variation you might be wise to avoid.
You don’t know the people or person who will conduct your video interview and they don’t know you, keep it simple and keep it professional.
Log in details
For a physical interview, the smart candidates plan their journey carefully. They might get the earlier train than the one they need or find the building where the interview is being held first, before going for a coffee and to compose their selves beforehand.
It is exactly the same for a video interview but without the travel. Instead of that we have logging in, accessing the account we need for the interview we’ll attend. Just like a physical interview, last minute hiccups should be avoided at all costs so make sure you are using the right log in credentials and you can log in easily.
Charging and Connecting
The very best preparation is all for nothing if your device that is dead. If you are using a mobile device or tablet, make absolutely certain that it is well charged or plugged in to the mains.
Your internet bandwidth might also present issues, especially in family homes, If your kids are gaming online and your partner is streaming a box set in another part of the house, there’s a very good chance it will impact on the quality of your video call or cause a delay, making conversation incredibly hard.
Make sure everyone is aware of your need to hog that precious bandwidth for a while. They (probably) won’t mind.
Angles and Location
We all have a favourite angle, a best side and even a ‘selfie’ expression. It is incredibly tempting to incorporate some of those elements into our video interviews. However it’s also vital to remember those are not the things on which we are being judged. Set your camera at eye with a natural and comfortable eye line to your interviewer.
When it comes to location, the world has become far less judgemental about things such as interruptions by children and unplanned visits from delivery companies. They are a part of life and cannot be helped. However it is always a good idea to choose your location wisely as the frame for your interview can say a lot about you.
If you are in any doubt the safe bet is to situate yourself against a plain wall, try to avoid things such as beds in the background or windows looking out on to busy roads.
Interference and Distractions
A lot of us have smart speakers, smart televisions and a hundred other devices that pepper our days with dings, beeps and updates. Try to remember prior to your video interview to turn every single one of them off.
The only device you will need for your zoom call or Skype interview is the one you are using to access it. Unplanned interruptions of this kind almost always look unprofessional.
You might have a beautiful garden and a temptation to attend your video interview outdoors, it might not be wise. Birdsong is beautiful but can really seem loud and shrill via video call. Additionally it might not give the right impression to your interviewers to see you relaxing outdoors.
Dress Code
We have all been there, Zoom calls have become a part of many people’s lives and the tendency is to focus our efforts on the parts of us that others can see. In a video call that tends to be heads and shoulders.
That works well until the point where we are asked for something that requires leaving our seat...
At that point, perhaps those jeans or lounge pants just became a really bad idea.
When taking part in a video interview, dress (from head to toe) exactly as you would for a conventional physical interview. It will work in your favour when your interviewer sees the effort you have made, effort that other candidates may have not.
Making Notes
You might feel foolish walking in to an interview room nervously gripping your notepad with vital snippets of information scribbled on those sweaty pages. But don’t worry; video calling can be perfect for those who feel more confident with notes.
Post-it notes on your screen or beside your device can be a worthwhile resource, particularly if you are prone to forgetting important information under pressure. Keep them close to your camera to avoid looking noticeably away from your interviewer and make sure they don’t obscure anything important on your screen.
Body Language
The vast majority of our communication is done non-verbally. We use hand gestures, we react to the people we engage with to show our interest.
Don’t be afraid to do all those things in a video interview, relax a little in your familiar surroundings and use it to your advantage. If you are talking about a topic you feel strongly about, use hand gestures. If you are listening to someone, show your interest by nodding and changing your facial expressions just as they hopefully will.
You are probably already good at all those things without even realising the fact. Be yourself and you’ll be okay.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression; that is just as true via video calling as it is for a meeting in person. All the principles are roughly the same, just achieved a little differently as we’ve seen; it can be done and done really effectively.
Interviews are almost always fraught with nervousness and we are all rarely comfortable enough to let our real selves shine through. Hopefully this article will settle some nerves and give you an even better chance of landing that dream job.
Give it your best shot and good luck!
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