Advances in technology bring exciting new opportunities for recruiters and job seekers as video interviewing steps into the limelight and takes center stage.
Gone are the days when in-person interviews were necessary to get your foot in the door with an employer and your only path to your dream job. More and more, organizations are turning to video interview platforms to meet with and engage with top talent. Virtual interviews are advantageous to both the recruiting and interviewing party, as it adds a new level of convenience previously absent from the hiring experience.
So what are the benefits of this new approach to interviewing? Video interviewing is incredibly convenient, allowing both the recruiter and job seeker to interview from anywhere, provided you have a laptop or a mobile device with connectivity. It also saves both the companies and candidates a great deal of time. You no longer need to take a full day off work to meet with a potential employer and can instead interview for jobs without leaving comfort of your home or office. Those anxious moments sitting in office lobbies and taking time off work to interview are becoming a thing of the past, giving back precious time and energy to the job seeker.
Remote interviews may have many benefits but also require a different set of skills than traditional in-person assessments. Things like body language, attire, and mannerisms are conveyed and received differently over a computer screen. Since you’re no longer meeting with a recruiter in person, the keys to a successful interview are different in a virtual setting. As a recruiter who now uses video interviewing regularly, here are some of my tips to help you make a great impression on your next video interview:
The Right Environment
Find a controlled space to hold the interview that is free of distractions and background noise. Loud cafes and busy coworking spaces might not be the best environment to conduct your video interview. Instead, try to find a quiet room in your house or call booth in an office to ensure minimum noise.
Stay True To You.
Be yourself. Prepare for the interview so you can answer questions with confidence and ease. On several occasions, I’ve witnessed people reading from cue cards or trying to remember the speech they supposedly memorized. But the best interviewees are present and engaged, maintain eye contact, and speak with honesty about their experiences and opinions. Be your authentic self and it will convey across the screen.
Lights, Camera and Action.
Dress appropriately and view yourself in your monitor before the interview begins to ensure good framing and lighting. Remember: what you can see on screen can also be seen by your interviewer.
Take Time For Thanks.
After your interview, follow up with a professional email expressing your interest and reinforcing your suitability for the job. This is the time to ask any additional questions that you may have coming out of the interview.
So, job seekers, I encourage you to embrace this new approach to interviewing as an opportunity to virtually put your best foot forward. Once you put the above video interviewing tips into practice, you’ll be ready to land the job of your dreams.
