Work from home is certainly not a new concept and neither is Facetime but what has changed is the increasing use of video conference to conduct interviews. At Genesis10, we are working from home also and are using video conference for internal meetings, client meetings and interviews too.
And while video interviews are becoming more accepted, many of us are uncomfortable at the thought of appearing on camera. To ease your anxiety, we put together some tips to that will help you present your best self to your recruiter:
Prepare for the interview as you would if you were meeting the recruiter in person. Be sure to:
- Research the role and company.
- Pepper in recent news you’ve read about the company and personal anecdotes in your answers to lighten the conversation.
- Staying informed during this time is critical, so make sure you read the news and take time to ask your interviewer how they’re doing.
Use a quiet location with a good internet connection and a computer or laptop with a webcam. Specifically:
- An internet connection with bandwidth speed of at least 1 megabits per second.
- Make sure your device is fully charged or plugged into an outlet.
- Headphones with a built-in microphone or headphones and a separate microphone.
- Position your webcam so that you have a neutral background free from distractions.
Close other apps or windows on your computer that could interrupt the conversation or slow the internet connection. Set your phone to silent before you begin the conference.
Dress professionally as you would for an in-person interview. To look your best on camera, avoid bright colors and patterns and opt for softer colors instead. If you wear glasses, adjust the lighting in the room to reduce glare from the lenses.
Do practice video calls with friends or family members to get accustomed presenting yourself in a video interview. Ask them for candid feedback about your appearance and eye contact.
Before the interview, ask the interviewer for a phone number where you can reach them if you experience technical difficulties.
Once the interview is finished, send a thank you email reiterating how your qualifications make you the ideal candidate for the role.
Be patient if a recruiter or hiring manager takes longer than usual to get back to you. Without the ability for everyone to physically be in one room to provide feedback and collectively agree, your interviewers may need more time than usual to make a decision.
Hope these tips help. Good health and good luck with the interview!
