As a result of technology, job hunting has become both easier because of video conference interview and sometimes more difficult in today’s environment.
The number of job boards is enormous, and thanks to improved technology, job seekers are now able to interview halfway around the country, or around the globe, from their own homes.
There are, however, some disadvantages to all this convenience. The first word that comes to mind when you think of a video interview is probably “awkward.” Delay, lost signals, and awkward eye contact is commonplace.
However, the economic advantages and convenience will make video interviewing a necessity. In this article, we offer a guide to perfecting video conference interviews.
Guides To Perfecting Video Conference Interviews
1. Setup
One first guide to perfecting video conference interviews is setup. There is nothing worse than having an interviewer distracted by a pile of dirty laundry, a glamour portrait of you or your spouse hung on the wall (no matter how lovely it is), or anything else that is blatantly non-professional.
Put your computer in a clean, well-lit area and do a trial run to see what’s showing up on the screen around you. Positioning yourself correctly and adjusting the camera angle will ensure that only what you want to be portrayed is visible.
Local coffee shops will not provide you with an atmosphere conducive to effective video production. No one will want to sit at your kitchen table if people are bustling around getting ready for the day.
2. Practicing
An important step to ensuring your presentation is polished and professional is to conduct a dry run.
You should do what you can to ensure that your internet connection is as strong as possible, and you should practice using your conferencing equipment to be aware of any lag or delay issues.
If possible, schedule a practice interview with a friend at any particular time to feel comfortable connecting to the call and that your equipment works. This is an important guide to perfecting video conference interviews.
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3. Preparing for the interview
Preparation for a video interview or zoom meeting should be no different than any other. A lack of knowledge about the company’s product, mission, and other information is inexcusable with Google, LinkedIn, and other resources available today.
Make sure you’re ready for possible video interview questions by researching the company and interviewer. You should prepare a list of things you wish to learn during the interview and some questions you wish to ask.
4. Prepare for your interview by dressing appropriately.
If you are going for a video interview, ensure that you are properly dressed, like during a face-to-face interview. Job interview etiquette dictates that you should always dress appropriately for the job you are applying for, not necessarily a typical day at work.
You will be taken aback by most interviewers if you show up in jeans and a t-shirt, even if the company has a casual dress code.
This also applies to video conferences. When it’s done, you can get back into your pajamas and robe.
5. Maintain masterful eye contact
If you follow the last four job interview tips, you will likely already be one step ahead of the other applicants. Nevertheless, a big hurdle still needs to be crossed, which is the ‘eye contact’ phenomenon in video conferencing.
The natural tendency is to pay attention to people by looking into their eyes when they speak and by nodding and smiling at them.
During a video conference, we can’t help but do these things. While video conferencing, remember to make eye contact with your webcam, not the person on your computer screen! In addition to feeling awkward, you will also be distracted by seeing your ‘paying attention’ face constantly, which will appear to be strange to you.
Avoid fixing your hair, wiping away a spot (unless it’s really big), or otherwise acting like you are alone in front of the mirror. Keep in mind that the camera is the interviewer’s eyes and makes eye contact naturally, without staring.
Follow these job interview tips and make sure your video interview showcases your real strengths, and you will be one step closer to getting hired.
