As companies try to reach out to a broader audience of applicants for jobs, they have moved more and more toward video interviews in the early stages of the hiring process. Remote interviews are especially prevalent for college students who are often based far away from where they wish to work for a majority of the year. While many parts of the video interview might seem less intimidating for some people because of the physical separation from their interviewer, video interviews have their own set of preparation and techniques that must be used to have a successful conversation.
Find an appropriate location Although you might be tempted to think that you have to do less preparation for a video interview than an in-person one, there are just as many logistics you need to consider for a video interview. First and foremost, you should arrive early to wherever you plan to conduct your video interview. The Marist College Center for Career Services has an Interview Room available in the Cannavino Library that you can come in and reserve ahead of time. The room offers privacy and has a desktop computer that you can use if necessary. Once you arrive at your location, check the equipment on whatever device you're using and make sure there is a high quality audio and visual connection. Many companies prefer to use their own video chat software as opposed to more widely used services such as Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. The employer will likely email you the link to download and sign up for the software a few days prior to the interview. Be sure to test connections beforehand so you’re not caught in an embarrassing position where you experience technical issues. Practice in advance Because you are not interviewing in person, some of your own vocal tics that may come off as natural and acceptable in your everyday conversations may seem awkward in a video interview. Luckily there is software you can use to figure out the best way to present yourself on camera. InterviewStream is a complimentary online resource provided to all Marist College students for interview preparation. The InterviewStream software asks you mock interview questions and then allows you to play back the video to evaluate your responses and body language. You can email recordings of your practice interviews to friends, colleagues, or family members to give you additional feedback. Body language is key Just like in physical interviews, your body language communicates a lot about your interest in a position and confidence in front of an employer. However, there are some differences that you should take into account regarding body language in a video interview as opposed to an in-person or phone interview. You should avoid fidgeting, even if it's just your foot under the table that the interviewer cannot see. Remember that the primary goal of an interview is for you to make a connection with the employer. Thus, you should attempt to mirror the body language of your interviewer because it will help you create a strong connection with them. Make sure that your body language remains open throughout the interview. Do not cross your arms across your chest. Always remember to smile. Smiling will make you appear more natural and a positive, upbeat, and enthusiastic candidate that a company would want to hire. Master the “Virtual Handshake” Studies show that a person only has seven seconds after meeting someone to make a good impression. This short period of time is especially essential in a video interview where your physical contact with the interviewer is more limited. The “Virtual Handshake” is a great way to help you make a good first impression. At the beginning of the interview, smile, nod, and lean forward slightly to give the same impression as a handshake would in person. Do not reach your hand out toward the screen. Maintain eye contact Even though you are not physically present with the interviewer, one common challenge during a video interview is eye contact. This one of the major differences between physical and video interviews. It’s best to look not at the person on the screen, but instead at the camera on your device. You want to position the camera at eye level so the interviewer is not looking up at your nose, and you don’t want the camera positioned above your face so the interviewer is looking down on you. By looking directly at the camera and at the right angle with good lighting, you will be able to foster a greater connection with your interviewer. Remember that some of the same interviewing tips apply Professional dress is one similarity between an in-person and video interview. Just in case you have to get up at any point during the interview, make sure to dress professionally all the way down to your pants and shoes. You don’t want to the interviewer to see you in your sweat pants. Even if your interview is over the phone, dressing up in professional business attire will boost your confidence and put you in the right frame of mind even if your interviewer cannot see you. In addition to dressing the part for the interview, always remember to send a thank you letter or email to your interviewer within 24 hours after your interview regardless of whether or not you are still interested in the position. This initial correspondence will leave a positive impression of yourself with the employer and is essential for networking purposes. Video interviews are becoming a much more common part of the job seeking process. While there are similarities between in-person and video interviews, there are additional steps you should take with video interviews in order to handle any problems that may arise and continue to work on achieving your professional development goals.
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