Harrison Ford – “I don’t mind doing interviews. I don’t mind answering thoughtful questions. But I’m not thrilled about answering questions like, ‘If you were being mugged, and you had a lightsaber in one pocket and a whip in the other, which would you use?’”
We live in a world of digital transformation, but many organisations and individuals have already been transformed into digital trailblazers. These people are embracing new ways to handle the recruitment process and online interviews (Skype being the go to option of course) are becoming the norm. The advantage of online interviews is that you can now conduct face-to-face interviews with applicants from abroad as well as having the flexibility to perform an interview from the comfort of your couch.
So far this year I have seen job offers presented purely from online interviews.
There is a lot of material out there to sink a face-to-face interview but not too much about these new-age, digital interviews. So, here are 7 tips to help you nail it!
1. Appropriate Dress
Above is a picture of this years’ No Pants Day in New York. In most cases, this attire would go down very well in an online interview. If you can get away with chilling in your underwear, then why not, it may make you feel more relaxed and confident in the interview (just don’t stand up!).
Make sure to do your research. Check out the company’s website, Facebook page and Twitter feed to get a feel for how employees (and executives) dress and behave, then take your cues from that when prepping for your interview.
2. Your Environment
You want a quiet, tidy, business-like setting. This will help you focus. Inform any crazy housemates well in advance that an all-important meeting from your living room will be happening.
Go for minimalism. A cluttered background may distract your audience, not to mention send the wrong idea about your organizational skills. Also, rid the area of personal items—no need to share too much information. A blank or neutral background is best, with a well-organized desktop.
3. Practice It First
Your first few video calls are bound to feel awkward as you figure out where to look, what to do with your hands, or how loudly to speak. But it’s easy to work out those kinks ahead of time.
Record the interview, analyse the video, and repeat the process until you feel comfortable with the result.
4. Smile, You’re on Camera!
This is still an interview and body language is still analysed. Smile, use hand gestures, nod in agreement etc.
6. CHEAT!
Take advantage of the interviewer not being in the same room, and have your notes right in front of you! At least have your CV/Resumé, news about the company and questions you want to ask right under your shnoz.
And those who are not too familiar with the notion of cheating, make sure to make it look like you’re not reading off a sheet.
7. Be Cool If There’s a Technical Fault
When you’re relying on video or phone equipment, there’s a good chance you’ll experience a technical glitch: a weak connection, interference or garbled signals.
You may hesitate to draw attention to the problem, but you don’t want to give an inaccurate answer because you didn’t understand the question. Simply inform your interviewer of the situation; tell them that there was a technical fault and ask them to repeat the question politely.
Hope this helps and good luck with that interview!
Joe Burridge 