Innovations in Recruitment

First, it was China, then the world and most of its activities were brought to a halt due to the deadly covid-19 virus. Businesses have been placed on hold globally, and only a few are surviving by adapting to a more remote working policy. Talk about recruiting; no one is hiring at the moment, at least not until the government lifts the lid on social distancing. However, the few who can recruit as per a remote working basis are doing so through phone calls and video interviews. If you are like 95% of job seekers out there, it is most likely that you have never experienced a telephone or video interview. 

With that in mind, we have prepared this guide to help get your video interview and telephone skills up to scratch, so that you can successfully stay ahead of the curve and land your dream job even in this pandemic.

Read on to discover some of our helpful tips on how to ace a video interview.

How does a video interview differ from one-on-one interviews?

Do not be deceived; holding a video interview is quite different from a one-on-one meeting. What your recruiter pays attention to during a one-on-one conversation is quite different from what the same person will pay attention to when conducting a video interview. If you are applying for any position at all in this pandemic, you will most likely have to undergo a video or telephone interview as part of your recruitment process. Do not be alarmed because the secrets we are about to reveal to you in the following sections will ensure you are well prepared.

During recruitment processes in times like this, video interviews are often conducted at the very beginning. Why is that?
There are many reasons why an organization would want to conduct a video interview first, but we will delve into the most obvious ones. It helps to filter out unserious candidates, thereby saving the company both money and valuable time to focus on more serious options. Another reason is that it presents the interviewer with an opportunity to go over the interviews multiple times and pick up qualities from candidates that will be beneficial to the specific role that they applied for, rather than relying solely on qualities mentioned on CV or notes taken.

What problems could you possibly encounter during my video interview?

There is the issue of what format your video interview will take. Making a pre-recorded video and sending it to your interviewer is quite different from conducting a live video interview. Not everyone can comfortably sit in front of a camera and record a session, not to mention holding a live meeting. Plus, there is the issue of network connectivity and time lapses that may cause problems. However, with a little practice using the instructions from our guide, you can easily overcome most of these challenges and successfully move on to the next stage of your interview process. 

How do you ace your video interview?

1. Research the format

It will give you an edge to know beforehand what format your video interview will take so you can start practicing on time because both live and pre-recorded videos present their very own unique experiences and challenges. Let's take a more in-depth survey into both formats to understand what you need to ace them.

Live - With the pandemic and social distancing in place, recruiters are switching over to live video interviews to recreate the traditional interview system of one-on-one conversation, only that this time, the discussion is held over the internet through video conferencing apps like skype. With live video interviews, you speak with your interviewer (s) in real-time, like you would if you had visited their office in person. You need to treat your conversation with the interviewer with all seriousness and concentration as you would if you had the interview in their office in person. Pay attention to details, create a rapport, and don't forget to mention specific areas where your skillset has made your past employees better.

Pre-recorded - This is a less intense form of video interview than live video because you are not required to have a conversation with your interviewer. Still, this can prove to be quite a hurdle, especially if you are someone without video recording skills. 
In a pre-recorded video interview, you are presented with a format or set of questions that you need to attend to with your video-often at a limited timeframe. 

The good news here is that you can pre-record as many videos as you like to help sharpen your skills, provided that you are still on track with the deadline given. Practicing is critical because your competitors are also afforded the same luxury of pre-recording as many videos as they can, and selecting only the best for submission. If it helps, you can get someone knowledgeable about video interviews to help you analyze all of your pre-recorded videos and choose the best or point out areas where you need improvement.

1. Choose your location

Because you are not present in person for the interviewer to properly analyse, part of his attention will be drawn to your environment, and that is normal, which is why you can not afford to use just any background during the interview process. For a start, select a serene location, make sure that it is neat and free from distractions so that you will be the sole focus of the interviewer.

Also, you need to pay attention to your lighting. You don't want to be in an interview where your interviewer can barely see your face or attire. Make sure to use natural light for the best possible results. If you are recording with your phone, be sure to silent all notifications that may pop up during the interview process.

1. Dress appropriately

Forget the fact that it is an online interview; you still need to show up with the charisma that you would for a one-on-one interview. Select the best outfit that you would have worn if you had this interview in your employer's office. If you have issues selecting the best formal outfit, seek help, it will do you more good than harm to leave a good first impression with any means necessary.

1. Use positive body language.

Moving around during a video interview is unacceptable, no matter the consequences. Avoid moving around unnecessarily unless you need to demonstrate a scenario to your interviewer. Always sit upright, avoid slouching, and maintain eye contact by looking directly at your camera and not the screen. Make sure to use a suitable audio device so that you won't have to keep asking your interviewer to repeat what they just said, pay attention to details, and do your best to get clarification on concepts that sound confusing to you. Don't assume, always ask when a question or statement seems confusing to you. That way, you avoid giving wrong answers that will kill your chances of landing the job.

If you are doing a pre-recorded video, it can be easy to lose enthusiasm and start speaking casually because you won't be talking directly with anyone. But that should not be the case. It would be best if you spoke with the same clarity and vigour that you would have if the interview were in-person. That way, your interviewer can easily match your intentions and qualities to determine if you are a good fit. 

1. Get technical

Technical issues can kill all of your hard work, and that is why you need to be at the top of your game to avert glitches that may ruin your chances of landing that job. A good rule would be to test-run all devices, networks, and programs involved days and hours before the interview to ensure that they are all in the right conditions. You don't want to be abruptly cut out from your interview because of technical glitches that could have been avoided, especially for live video interviews.

Few hours before your interview, make sure that all the devices you need are fully charged and last you throughout the interview process. If there is any chance that your batteries won't last that long, I suggest you leave it plugged to a power supply until the interview is over. Every sign in process and setups should be completed at least 30 minutes before the meeting to avoid lateness. It shows punctuality and gives an excellent first impression.

If you are asked to do a pre-recorded interview, it will help to know beforehand if you are allowed to restart a particular recording if you start experiencing technical difficulties.