Applying for a job that’s out of state, perhaps even out of the country? If so, there is a high likelihood that you’ll eventually be flown in for a face-to-face interview—but not before you have one over video. Whether it’s Skype, Oovoo, or even FaceTime, video conferencing technology has made it easier for a job interviewer to get to know you, even from a distance—and vice versa.
Of course, video interviews bring their own sets of issues, and if you’ve never had one before then the entire process might seem a bit daunting. Here are some quick facts to ensure you’re ready and confident before your next video interview!
Getting Ready for Your Video Interview
- Make sure you’re familiar with the video conferencing technology in question—and test it before your interview begins. Ensure that you know your way around the program, that your sound and microphone levels are decent, that you don’t need any plugins or updates, etc. If possible, do a test run with a friend or family member in a different location. Handle this 24 hours before your interview, in case there are issues you need to work out.
- Don’t yell! Many of us are tempted to raise our voices during video conferences, as though modern audio technology is not plenty sensitive to the human voice. You want to be well-spoken and clear, but you don’t want to shout. This is something to double-check when you do your test run with a friend or family member.
- Be still. Don’t try to do your video conference from a mobile phone; you’re bound to have a shaky, unsteady picture, which will be frustrating to the folks on the other end. Use a laptop, desktop, or even a tablet.
- Dress for success. Remember: You may not be in the same room, but the interviewer can still see you. Dress code matters!
- Make sure pets and children are properly corralled. Minimize distractions—distractions to you, distractions to the interviewer.
- Make the most of your screen time. You only have so many minutes; don’t waste any of them with rambling answers or excessive small talk.
Finally: Make sure you’ve got a winning resume on hand, and that you can refer to it to clearly explain your value as a candidate. For assistance, contact the Grammar Chic resume writing team today: 803-831-7444, or www.grammarchic.net.
Amanda E. Clark founded Grammar Chic in 2008. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds degrees in Journalism, Political Science, and English. She launched Grammar Chic after freelancing for several years while simultaneously leading marketing and advertising initiatives for several Fortune 500 companies.
