As most recruiters and hiring managers are opting to interview candidates by video or telephone due to the Coronavirus, I’d like to share some quick tips. As a former videoconference technician in telecom and since 2005 a professional resume writer, career and interview coach, I provide these same tips to our clients and university students. You want to present yourself as professionally as possible, and sometimes it can be a little tricky. So, remember the following:
For Video:
Background and Lighting
Ensure you have the best light possible. Your background should be neutral and free of any clutter.
Do not sit in front of a window. This can cause a glare. Also, raised lighting to brighten your face is good to eliminate dark looking video.
Clothing:
Neutral clothing is also best such as gray or blue. No patterns, no red or bright colors that bleed. Pastels are fine.
Eye Contact:
You may be tempted to look at the screen or monitor, but to ensure direct eye contact, you should always look at the camera instead.
Responding:
Although technology is more advanced these days, you never know when there could be a delay. Speaking through video is not exactly like speaking in person. It’s best to wait a second or two before you respond to a question. Make sure you give the interviewer time to finish his or her question before responding. Besides, you should give yourself time and not rush to answer.
Test the Connection:
Make sure your internet connection is working properly. The last thing you want to do is have interruptions due to buffering or a dropped call. This can irritate the interviewer. Remember they have others to interview too as well as a million and one things to do, so there’s no time to waste.
For Telephone
If you’re at home, think of it as though you’re sitting right in front of the interviewer. Now, these tips are not for the quick phone screens. These are for the scheduled telephone interviews. I always advise the following because it will put you in a more professional frame of mind.
What to Use:
If your interview isn’t set up like a webinar and/or you need to use a phone, landlines are better if you still have one, or if you happen to be in your company office that still has them. For the home phone, turn off call waiting if you can. If your cell phone is all you have then turn on the Do Not Disturb feature. Whether you have an android or iPhone you can do this from your settings and schedule the time to turn on and off as well.
Background:
Silence is key of course. It goes without saying that if you have kids at home then you may want to schedule the interview during nap time, when the kids can go outside and play, or when you can arrange for a sitter. If you have a separate office or room in your home that’s off limits to the kids that’s ideal. When all else fails do as I’ve done and go inside a closet.
Audio:
Avoid using a speaker phone and use a headset instead. This way, the interviewer can hear you clearly and concisely. This will also keep you from talking over each other. Lastly, of course you shouldn’t eat lunch or anything during the interview, but you may want to have a glass of water handy. This is in case your mouth or throat gets dry and you start coughing.
Clothing:
You may be tempted to stay in your PJs if it’s a morning interview, and shorts or other casual wear for the afternoon, but when you’re dressed in any manner other than professionally you might tend to be too relaxed. Think about this, how do you feel when you’re in a suit or even a nice pair of slacks and crisp collard shirt? You “feel” professional right? Well at least you should. Business casual is always best. Your answers to the interview questions will come across better too. Try it.
And my last tip for video or phone interviews is to be prepared! Do some mock interviews by practicing how you look and sound. Have your notes handy and always follow up with a thank you by email!
Hope this helps!
Stay tuned for more tips.