As we are living in the digital age, technology is a growing part of today’s recruitment process.
Video interview software such as Skype, GoToMeeting and Adobe Connect are providing organisations and candidates with a way to interview without the hassles of travel, time and costs of traditional face to face interviews. With companies increasingly opting to use video interviews, we must understand the role they play in your application and how you can avoid making a negative first impression during your video interview.
Are you ready? Technical issues can have a significant impact on your application. Ensure you download the appropriate software and give it a test run prior to your interview. Test your speakers and microphone volume, there is nothing more frustrating than having to keep asking “can you hear me”. Check that your internet connection is fast enough to handle video conferencing so that it does not drop out or freeze half way through the interview. Avoidable technical issues can reflect poorly on you as a candidate, so take the time to plan ahead to ensure a smooth interview process. If your computer is not up to the job, make arrangements to use another computer or request a face to face interview.
First impressions count! Before you even start your interview, you are making an impression with your username and/or display picture. Don’t start off on the wrong foot with an unprofessional image. Make sure you have created a professional account and have your sign in details read or confirmed prior to your appointment.
While video interview software provides the freedom to be able to interview from your own home, don’t be tricked into being too relaxed in nature during the interview. Treat your video interview like any face to face interview as the environment you interview in can have a positive or negative impact on your application. Make sure you set up your computer in a quiet and clean location to avoid any distractions or interruptions. Remember to dress for success, and present yourself just like you would a face to face interview.
I can see you! While it can be hard to know where you should be looking, keep in mind that to be looking at the interviewer you should look towards the location of your webcam. Ensure you sit up straight and make eye contact throughout the entire interview, even if it feels a little unnatural looking at the webcam. However most importantly smile, relax and give the interviewer a chance to see your personality. This is the opportunity to make a great first impression and invite them to meet with you face to face.
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