Looking for a job?
Get ready to win the first round of application process, aka video interviews.
Three years ago, 6 out of 10 recruiters practiced this technology for personnel screening; today, this number doesn’t seem to lower. While CVs and portfolio are nothing but tickets to interviews, the interviews themselves are final rounds of your battle for a dream job.
Why do professional recruiters prefer video interviewing? Benefits are clear: it’s time- and cost-saving, and it’s an efficient approach to build the initial impression on candidates and decide whether to invite them for in-person interviews.
It looks like you should win this round, doesn’t it?
With so many career tips for students available today, one can arm themselves with a powerful weapon to succeed. Recruiters highlight key details to consider while preparing for a video interview, as well as during and after it.
Stage 1: Preparing for a Video Interview
They say everything you need is a computer with a webcam and Internet access.
False.
These are details for you to remember:
1. Test the technologies. Video program, camera, light, connection, sound – everything should work fine.
2. Ask a friend to organize a test interview for you. It’s a chance to practice, check if your technologies work, and see how you look and sound.
3. Choose a location. There should be no distracting noises and mess on camera. Also, adjust the light in a way recruiters could see your face well. A plain wall would be a perfect generic background for video interviews.
4. Turn off all programs and notifications, as they can interrupt the interview at the most unseemly hours.
5. Dress professionally. Say no to slippers and T-shirts, and decide on a suit you would wear for in-person interviews. Minimal piercings and jewelry, no gums in the mouth, and neat outer appearance – that’s what you need this time.
6. Make notes. Don’t hesitate to make a list of questions you might have for recruiters, as well as notes with points to highlight during the interview. But be sure they are off camera.
Stage 2: During the Interview
Everything is ready, including your willingness to impress recruiters with knowledge and skills.
Anything else do you need to remember?
7. Be ready to answer most common questions of interviewers.
8. Watch your tone of voice. A conversational tone works best here.
9. Look into the camera. A friendly smile together with eye contact is a good practice, either.
10. Don’t hurry to respond. It’s better to wait for a second just in case the connection is low. Otherwise, it would look like you interrupt the recruiter.
Stage 3: After the Interview
So, you did your best, and the video interview is over.
What’s next?
11. Ask when they expect to make a decision.
12. Write a thank-you note. Even if you think you’ve failed the interview, individual emails to each interviewer would be a sign of good matters. But don’t copy-paste the same note for everyone, as they might decide to compare them.
13. Follow-up. As a rule, the hiring process takes several rounds, so you need to be patient while expecting a final decision from recruiters. But it doesn’t mean you can’t follow up and express your interest and desire for the position. Just be sure it doesn’t sound as if you are desperate.
A video interview is your maiden battle toward a dream job. Win it to build an initial impression, but don’t forget about your resume, portfolio, and in-person interview: all together, they are shaping factors of your job search success.
