It can seem that life, as we know it, has changed completely, but one thing remains the same – when you are interviewing with a potential new boss for that new dream job, you have to be the best! You have worked from home for a few weeks, and now think you have the whole ‘remote interview’ things sussed – but with that attitude, you’re really heading for disaster.
The following tips are based on our many years of recruitment experience, BUT FIRST the Do’s and Don’ts:
Pjs, nightgowns, negligees, dressing gowns – get dressed for success!
Hoodies, earphones, headphones, sunglasses – it’s an interview, damn it!
Children – we all love them, but you need this job interview to go very well so you can continue to love them!
Pets – from dogs to gerbils, lock ‘em up!
TV or radio – turn them off, there’s nothing on anyway!
Don’t agree to a video interview if you know your tech is less than perfect: better a clear phone call than a Zoom disaster that is a recipe for rejection!
Find something for your hands to do – preferably claps them in front of you and don’t move – and please keep them away from your face!
AND THE NO.1 DON’T? DON’T BE LATE! Log in and wait to be let into the meeting, it looks like you’re keen and really want the job!
DO’S
Take a shower, brush your hair, and put on something clean and neat (maybe a bit of makeup – have you seen yourself in a mirror lately?)
Clean your interview space – your new boss doesn’t want to see empty coffee cups, cereal bowls, beer cans, crisp bags etc.
Find a bare wall or at least the least bad wallpaper for a background: better still, use the ‘blurred background’ effect: problem solved.
HALL RECRUITMENT INTERVIEW TIPS FOR SUCCESS
As we said above, some things have changed, some things have not. Something that never changes is a company wanting to find the right person for the job, and the importance of the face-to-face interview in finding that person.
What you may not have realised is that the change to video interviewing is as much of a challenge to the employer as it is to the candidate, and when two nervous people face each other over a Zoom, breaking the ice, and becoming as comfortable as possible with the process, can be as important to success as all the qualifications in the world. It can also make the interview process as a little more democratic, and less confrontational.
PRACTICAL THINGS YOU CAN DO
As you can’t shake hands at the beginning, and maybe even lose the opportunity for chitchat e.g. accepting or declining the offer of water, coffee, is the seat comfortable, was the traffic terrible, isn’t it cold/ hot/ wet/ dry for the time of year etc make sure you do the only thing you really can do – SMILE, LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE CAMERA AND SAY HELLO TO THE PERSON OPPOSITE YOU!
It’s well worth practising this move in front of a mirror or record yourself on your phone – you’re aiming for friendly (not creepy) so if you practice until you feel confident and it appears natural, you’re on to a winner and should have successfully broken the ice.
Remember what we said above about finding something for your hands to do? Keep remembering that!
Make sure you have your cv and the job description to hand – maybe even visible – to show that you have well prepared and are ready for anything.
Most importantly – take this very seriously! You may be at home, your interviewer(s) may be at home, but to all intents and purposes you are in their office for the interview of a lifetime – so don’t mess it up! And Good luck!