REMOTE WORK: How to conduct an online job interview?
No matter the situation we are in today or anytime later, people will always be looking for (new) jobs and companies will always be looking for new employees.
As we mentioned in the previous blog, the question of whether it is possible to conduct an interview online is becoming more and more common among the younger generations. This testifies to the necessity of both, the employer and the job seeker, to be prepared for this kind of communication.
To make your online interviews at least a little easier, we’ve put together some tips you can follow.
Employers
- Identify the questions
The written questions will help you stay focused on the information you want to obtain. If you wish, you can also send certain questions to the candidates in advance and ask them to answer them in writing, which will give you a better insight into the candidate in front of you, and also you will be able to ask each candidate some additional questions.
- Test the equipment
Before each call, make sure everything is working as it should. Take a few minute break between each interview to be able to address any issues that may have arisen during the previous interview.
- Maintain eye contact
Keep in mind that video interviews can be stressful for candidates as they basically talk to the screen. Help them feel more comfortable by keeping eye contact with them, and showing that they have all your attention. For example, making video calls with your phone makes you look like you are in a hurry. It is also a fact that when you hold the phone, the screen is not stable, which could disturb or confuse the candidates.
The tips below, marked as for job seekers, can also apply for employers.
Job seekers
- Standard rules of conduct apply
Yes, they are still valid, even though our interlocutor is not in the same room with us. Part of that is also the dress code. Regardless of the fact that most of the work from home, will probably be done in a tracksuit, we need to be aware that an interview is a moment when we need to behave exactly as we would if we were in an office.
- Eliminate distractions
By no means do you want your conversation to be interrupted by a neighbor’s lawn mower, someone vacuuming the apartment, or a pet hungry for attention. Provide a peaceful environment, close doors and windows, and ask roommates for a few minutes of silence. Also, make sure that only the window through which the conversation will take place is open on your computer, otherwise your eyes will be turning to the notifications on the screen.
- Find a neutral background
Paying attention to the background that our potential employer will be watching behind us is crucial. A bedroom with a scattered bed, a home office full of clutter and garbage, a messy kitchen table, etc. Such things give the interlocutor a lot of information about who we are as a person and what we will be like as employees. Not only is it inappropriate, but it also distracts them from us.
- Choose a smaller chair
If we sit on a couch or chair with a huge backrest it will take up a lot of space on camera, and we ourselves will look less sleek.
- Careful with light and layout
We need to think carefully about how we will be seen on camera. You can find tips for that on one of the precious blogs, about shooting at home.
- Test the equipment
Before you begin, test your layout and connection to avoid problems once the conversation will begin.
