Finding work and opportunities in a global pandemic isn’t easy. Coronavirus and the resulting lockdown added a new dimension to career development, which very few people predicted or were prepared for at the beginning of the year. Students and recent graduates looking to gain a foothold in their preferred industries are now facing issues that are new to everyone – including those of us working to support them. The most obvious change to sourcing and securing roles is a widespread switch to online recruitment.
Recently, Consultants from Coventry University Talent Team were given a tour of a recruitment platform used by Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC). This involved creating your own avatar and seeing how the interview panel responded to it. Overall, the experience highlighted several considerations for online interviews, and prompted me to consider some additional areas of concern. To help combat some potential screen-based issues, I’ve created four key tips to help anyone embarking upon the process. This is not an exhaustive list, but a useful template for appearing professional during an online interview. Of course, you should research the company thoroughly and prepare for a range of questions, too.
TIP 1: AVOID THE JOGGERS
Despite being on a small screen, appearances are still important. It’s best not to attempt an interview while sitting in your pyjama bottoms (or worse) and wearing a shirt. A recent experience highlighted the dangers of this when an interviewee needed to stand up to get something and revealed a pair of very short shorts. Best practice would be to dress ‘equally’ from bottom to top; if you’re wearing a blouse, shirt or blazer, pair it with a complimentary bottom half.
TIP 2: BE MINDFUL OF YOUR BACKGROUND
Treating online interviews as you would an in-person interview is a sensible decision; your choice of outfit is hugely important and will impact upon the interviewer’s impression. But it’s also vital to consider what’s behind you. Gym clothes and towels in the background may not create the organised impression that you’re aiming for. But at the same time, don’t create an overly false impression for the camera. There is no need to angle intellectual or sector-related books towards the screen if you aren’t genuinely interested in those things (a bookshelf is not obligatory). What matters most is ensuring that there’s nothing that could distract your interviewer.
Most video conferencing platforms offer a selection of backgrounds, but these can be odd. Appearing with the Milky Way as a background might not strike the right chord when you’re seeking to land a role with an accountancy firm. Nobody wants a space cadet doing their taxes. If in doubt, a blank wall is completely acceptable.
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TIP 3: UNDERSTAND THE VIDEO PLATFORMS (AND YOUR BEST ANGLES) IN ADVANCE
The technology currently being used by employers to recruit new talent often requires a working knowledge of Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, or a similar video-based platform. In a recent interview, a candidate spent the first ten minutes of the meeting with the camera pointed at their chin – and nothing else. So, perhaps with a friend, practice a call in advance of the interview, and make sure that they can see your whole face. If we’re to believe the research, 80% of meaningful communication is non-verbal, and eye contact and body language still count online.
TIP 4: WARN YOUR HOUSEHOLD BEFOREHAND
Making your interview environment into a suitable space is critical. There are plenty of examples of journalists broadcasting to the nation when a small child or unknowing partner blunders into shot, or comments on the video stream itself. Go somewhere quiet, and make sure everyone knows what’s going on for you in that moment – after all, this is your chance to impress your potential employer. A housemate blasting loud music during a video interview call won’t endear you to any interviewer.
In the world of online recruitment, remember that the usual advice, hints and tips for successful interviews still hold true. With that in mind, you should treat an interview at home as seriously as you would in an office environment. Then, maybe your screen time won’t turn into a more nightmarish ‘scream’ time.
By Daniel Gray (Graduate Lead, Faculty of Business and Law);
Edited by Emily Attwood (Graduate Jobs Coach, Faculty of Arts and Humanities & CUC)
This content was found at https://covunicareers.wordpress.com/2020/10/20/how-to-survive-online-interviews/
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