Hiring is not only a cumbersome process but is also an all-expense process for any company. Companies these days are taking a lot of initiatives to not only make the process much more effective but also to help them minimize the two main factors involved – Time and Money. At this time of need technology has come to aid and has automated and digitalized many processes involved in hiring, surpassing operational constraints such as location and time zone.
With companies adopting digitalization and automation, Virtual Interviews have become a part of the day-to-day hiring process. Ideally, online interviews are conducted as a preliminary stage of a screening process or to ease the location factor and conduct the interview irrespective of which part of the world you are in. In recent crisis times, Virtual Interviews have become a saving grace for companies to carry on the process and meet their hire targets amid lockdowns across the globe.
Virtual interviews ideally can be elaborated into two types:
- On-Demand Interviews are usually user-friendly automated interview processes at the pre-screening stage, which gives the flexibility to both, the candidates and the recruiters to complete the interview and review them at their convenience. On-demand interviews usually include online tests, case studies, and video submissions, wherein you are required to answer the predetermined set of interview questions.
- Live Virtual Interviews are a two-way communication process conducted online, in real-time using telephonic calls, virtual meetings, or video conferencing software. These interviews are usually scheduled well in advance, which gives the candidate and the interviewer an opportunity to be prepared and connected to interact in real time without being in the same location. Live Virtual interviews are conducted using free or paid platforms such as Skype, Zoom, Blue Jeans, WebEx, GoTo Meetings, or Microsoft Teams.
Because of the efficiency and ability to reach a large number of applicants in a short time frame, interviewers typically use on-demand interviews as a first-round or pre-screening process to identify top candidates and then schedule for a live virtual interview for one-to-one interaction.
The latter processes can be unnerving to most for various reasons; not all of us are camera-friendly, or for that matter tech-friendly. Adding on to the interview nerves, there are additional scenarios one fears – Is the connectivity okay? Am I looking at the webcam right? Can the interviewers see me? Can they hear me? I hope I don’t sound scratchy or unclear!
Well, these fears are justified and it can add to your nervous jitter, but only if you let them. The two important key to overcoming the jitters and be interview-ready is Confidence and Preparation.
Here is a Checklist for you to follow and ensure that you are ready to face the camera and give an Oscar-winning or in this case a Job-winning performance!
Get your Technology in order: The first step is to verify the system or application to be used in the process well in advance with the hiring team. Ensure that you have installed and updated the latest version of the same and spend some time getting comfortable with the various features and functions of the online application, do not forget to create a professional username. Test your system in advance, ensure you have a fast internet connection and do a mock call beforehand to ensure that the connectivity is good, the audio and video features are functioning glitch-free. This will help you curb the technical disturbances during the process and make you handy with troubleshooting without panicking in case any glitch arises.
Prepare your Environment: Youmust arrange for a place where there is no disturbance, accidental appearances, or video bombing. Ensure that the background is not cluttered and try mimicking a more professional set-up. Try to set-up your system at nook where the background wall is minimal and is a neutral color, so that you are in focus and nothing in the background is taking the interviewer’s attention away from you. Ensure there is ample lighting, understand what position is comfortable for you, what webcam angle works for you, and make sure you are facing the screen forward and upright.
Dress-up professionally: It is always a good idea to dress formally even for the virtual interview, the same way you would for an in-person interview. Choose a color that suits you and does not take away focus from you. You want the interview to pay attention to what you are saying and not to what you are wearing. Presentable and subtle is the key to a good interview look. It helps in creating a good first impression and avoiding any embarrassing situation where you might be required to get up mid-interview – semi-formal PJs is not the most favorite fashion trend of the interviewers! Not only for impressions but dressing up will also give you more confidence and power and you will exuberate the same to the interviewers.
Be Interview Ready: Be thorough with your research and preparation, write down the important keywords regarding the role, or question that you might want to clarify, have them handy so that nothing throws you off. Keep a pen and paper close, in case you need to note down anything important or to solve a surprise equation thrown at you during the interview. Everyone knows that a major part of your interview questions is from your resume, update your resume, and keep it handy with you at all times so that you are aware that the question asked is about which part of the resume.
Be YOURSELF: Irrespective of the mode of communication, the purpose of the interview is that the interviewer wants to get a sense of Who You Are as a person and as a professional. Always be yourself and don’t forget to smile. It is okay to be a little nervous, the easiest way to overcome it is to accept the fact and move on. Have confidence in yourself and remember what you have prepared, the answers will come to you. Despite it all, in case if there is any glitch or slip-up, don’t panic! Be patient, give
it time until the problem is resolved. Once the process resumes, it’s a good idea to laugh it off and lighten the mood. A good joke doesn’t hurt, only if you are good at it. In any situation, don’t forget – Confidence is the Key!
For more detailed guidelines read: