If you have an online/ video interview coming up I have put together some tips in case these are of help! #interview #video #help
• Familiarise yourself in advance of the interview with the video conference platform that will be used for the interview. Some of the commonly used platforms are Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex and there are many other platforms out there. If you know that your interview will take place over e.g. Zoom and you have not used Zoom before then install it on your laptop/ device a few days before the interview and test it out. If you have not used a platform before it may ask you to install a driver on your device.
• Test your video and audio in advance to ensure both are working.
• Have your laptop/ device and mobile phone fully charged before the interview.
• Ensure that you have a strong WiFi connection. If you are carrying out the interview from home ensure that no other household members are online gaming or streaming videos during your interview time as this may impact on the quality of your internet connection.
• Technology may fail at times due to no fault of our own! As a plan B always have the phone number and e-mail address of the interviewer or person who scheduled your interview close to hand and again have your mobile phone fully charged.
• A full suit may not be required for a video conference interview but still pay attention to your presentation – business casual is good if appropriate. Also a relatively neutral background is good to reduce distractions.
• It’s just as important to make a personal connection and build rapport with the interviewer in a video conference interview as it is in a face to face interview. Spot your opportunities to do this even if it’s a little bit of small talk in relation to the weather etc! Remember the person on the other side of the screen is a human being not just an interviewer/ hiring manager.
• If the internet freezes mid question you can mention this and ask the interviewer to repeat the question. Don’t let this throw you.
• Good luck with your video interview!
Author: Lorraine Shine (Career & Executive Coach), www.careerandinterviewsuccess.ie