You're on stage - the video interview

Video Interview Preparation
In the last few posts we talked about doing phone interviews.  Now let's move on to the video interview.

But before we begin, a comment I received from a writing colleague/visitor to my link to this post on LinkedIn raised an important point.  These tips for doing interviews apply to more than job seekers.  Often writers are called upon to do phone or video interviews to prepare for stories they are writing.  Or you may need to work with clients remotely. Although most writers prefer face-to-face interview opps, sometimes phone or video interviews are our only options. 

With that said, if you are a writer or business owner or just need to communicate remotely - whatever the reason, you will also find these tips useful.

Tools for the interview

You can conduct a video interview on a laptop with a webcam, a traditional computer with a webcam, or using the Skype app.Even though the interview is being conducted by webcam, this is a “real” live interview, and you should be as prepared as if you were sitting across the desk from the interviewer. In fact, you may have to prepare more! After all, you do not have to clean your room before going off to an in-person job interview, but you do need to clear a space for your Skype interview. Here are some tips:

• Be mindful of where you set up for your video interview. Be sure the area is free of visual distractions (clutter). Carefully consider what is in the background of your Skype interview. Make the background interesting, but not distracting. Plain white walls are fine, but boring. Can you frame a desk or bookshelves behind you instead?
• Check out your technology well in advance of the interview. Make sure you have Internet connectivity and that your webcam and microphone are working. You may also have to download the software if it is the first time you are using the application.

Practice makes perfect

One of the best things you can do to prepare for a live video interview is practice. Practice doing a couple of Skype interviews with friends or family members before your job interview. Be sure to:

• Check the lighting and your volume.
• As with a phone interview, recording your practice video interview can help you identify areas to work on, or fix. Have your test partner take a few screenshots if you cannot record the call.
• Make sure your webcam is providing a decent picture.
• Clarify with the interviewer who will initiate the Skype call and double-check the username. Also be sure to account for any time zone differences.

Other Video Interview Tips:

• Dress nicely — more than one jobseeker has scheduled a Skype interview, thinking it would be voice only — and then accidentally found himself or herself on a video Skype call.
• Dress from head-to-toe. You may think you do not need to wear dress pants with the shirt and tie since the interviewer is only going to see the top half of your outfit. But you should always expect the unexpected. You never know when you might need to stand during an interview. Pajama pants or shorts with a dress shirt, tie, and jacket just do not work.
• Keep your clothing color choice in mind. Check how the colors of your clothing appear on camera. Just like TV news anchors avoid some colors — and most small patterns, pick colors that will show up well on video. Jewel tones or pastel colors work best. Do not wear white or black.
• Practice your Skype interview wearing the exact outfit you are planning to wear. This trial run will also allow you to test the volume of your system, see how the software works (if you are not familiar with Skype), and make sure your lighting is appropriate.
• Check the lighting.If the light source is behind you, you may appear as a dark silhouette on the screen. Position a lamp or other light source in front of you.Ensure that your profile photo is professional. This is your first impression from a physical standpoint in a video conference.
• Prop up the computer so that you are not looking down at it and practice where to sit so you are framed correctly by the webcam. Make sure your torso is visible — including your hands — especially if you “talk” with your hands.
• Look at the webcam when you speak, not at the interviewer’s face on your screen. When you look into the camera, it appears to the interviewer that you are looking at them directly.
• Use a USB-connected headset for an interview instead of using the computer’s speakers. Headsets are inexpensive and can provide a much clearer interview experience.
• Use a wired Internet connection (plug directly into the Ethernet port) instead of using a wireless connection.
• Check your power source and be ready for emergencies. You do not want to have to dig for a cord to keep the computer from shutting down.
• Turn off notifications on your computer and close your other software programs. You do not want to be distracted by beeps every time you receive an email.
• Pay attention, be enthusiastic and SMILE!
• Take notes, butdo not take too many, or you will come off looking distracted. Take notes with a pen and paper, not on your computer.
• If you have an online portfolio, keep the link handy. You may want to share it with your interviewer.

Now that was a great list of things you SHOULD DO, but before we wrap up, here are a few things that you definitely SHOULD NOT DO:

• Choose a cutesy or unprofessional Skype name — no nicknames and minimize numbers and keyboard characters. Online, your first impression is your Skype username and photo, so make sure both are professional. Your best bet is your first name and last name as your username.
• Forget to verify the timing of your Skype interview — taking in account any time zone differences.
• Be too quick to answer. With video, there is sometimes a delay or interference, so make sure you pause before answering a question to avoid overtalking the interviewer.
• Forget to silence your cell phone when you are on a video interview.

That wraps up this segment on virtual interviews.  Good luck with your interviewing and contact us with your questions!  We'll see you next time...

Preparing for a phone interview

Getting ready for that phone interview......
As with an in-person interview, preparation is key. Prepare just as well for a phone interview as you would for an in-person interview. Otherwise, you might not get the chance to get a face-to-face interview.

Some important points to remember when scheduling the phone interview are:

• The time of the call (and clarify any time zone differences)
• Who is calling whom (and on what phone number)
• How long to expect the call to last
• Any specific preparation required for the call
• Who will the call be with (name, job title)

On a piece of paper, write down the job title you are applying for, the company name, and key points you want to remember to make in the interview. For instance:

• Position and industry-specific accomplishments
• Unique assets you possess as an employee
• Information about the company that you learned from your research that ties into your skills, abilities, and qualifications

Anticipate the conversation and practice

Think about the questions you might be asked and the key points to include in your answers. Prepare a list of questions to practice for the phone interview. You should also prepare questions ahead of time that you will ask in the interview.

One of the best ways to prepare for a phone interview is to practice. Tape record the practice call so you can identify areas to improve. Practice speaking concisely and clearly. Many people are surprised to hear how they sound on the phone. One easy way to do this is to use a free conference call service, like Freeconferencing.com (freeconferencing.com). There is no cost to use the service; your only charge is for the long-distance call to access the conference line.

It is important to convey your enthusiasm in a phone interview — which can be done through your voice pitch, tone and volume.

Find the perfect place

Thinking through where you will conduct a phone interview is critical. Pick a location that will be free from distracting background noises — kids, pets, phones ringing. Turn off the TV, computer, and/or iPad. Hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.

Other tips

• Do a “dry run.” Call a friend or family member and have them test the phone connection (volume) and whether there is anything distracting that may affect the call.

• The more you prepare, the better. Review the company’s website. Google your interviewer. Make sure you are thoroughly familiar with the job description or job posting.

• Prepare an opening and closing statement in advance. The opening statement might be the answer to “Tell me about yourself.” This should include a 30- to 60-second statement of why you are qualified for the job, based on what you know about the position. The closing statement should include your desire to work for the company, reiterating your interest in the job. But do not read these word-for-word.

These tips and suggestions should help you conquer the phone interview.  But what if you are to be part a video interview? We'll cover that next time.  Stay tuned.  And as always, please contact us with your questions.

Focusing on the phone interview

So what exactly will the phone interview tell the interviewer about you? Some information they seek might include:

• Credential checks — the most common questions asked in phone interviews are those that corroborate facts or information on an application or résumé — or that fill in the blanks for missing information.

• Experience check — if the hiring manager has determined you meet the requirements of the position, the phone interview may be used to verify the experience (asking specific questions about position responsibilities and accomplishments).

• Predictive information — the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Behavioral types of questions ask how you handled a challenge in the past, giving the interviewer insight into how you would perform on this job.

How common is a phone interview?

Last year, a Forbes article on phone interview tips estimated that up to half of screening interviews take place over the phone, not in person. This makes sense. Phone interviews do not require as much time and can be conducted outside the company’s normal work hours, which can be helpful for certain job applicants.

Not all phone interviews are scheduled in advance. If you get a call from a hiring manager or recruiter and it is not a good time to talk (i.e., you are at work, you are driving, or you are someplace noisy, do not answer the call). Instead, call back as soon as you are able to. Remember, you only get one chance to make that first impression. It is better to have the call go to voicemail and call the interviewer back than to perform poorly in an interview you are not prepared for.

If the prospective employer calls unannounced and you decide to do the interview right then, ask if you can excuse yourself to a quiet place and call them back in a few minutes. This will also give you time to prepare for the call. Even a five-minute break can allow you to prepare for the interview.

Most hiring managers do not expect you to be available at a moment’s notice. So if you need to schedule the call for the next day, that is generally fine.

Because a phone interview is perceived as less “personal,” you may be asked “difficult” questions in the phone interview, like “Why did you leave your last job?” or “Why are you looking for a new job?” Remember, one of the primary purposes of a phone interview is its use as a “screening” tool.

There are advantages for you as the jobseeker --

You may also find it easier to ask questions on the phone than in face-to-face interviews. For example, at the beginning of the call, you can ask the interviewer for the correct spelling and pronunciation of their name. At the end of the call, you can ask about the next step in the interview process.

Next week, we'll go into a little more detail about preparing for the phone interview that is scheduled ahead of time.  Have you ever done a phone interview?  If you have, leave us a comment and share your experiences. Or contact us with questions.

The virtual interview - are you ready?

In the next few posts we're going to talk about phone interviews and video interviews.  But first some basics.

Traditionally, virtual interviews (usually phone interviews) were used to conduct a pre-screening for an in-person interview and to answer any questions not addressed in the résumé. But, today, phone interviews are also replacing some in-person “first interviews.” You may be asked the same questions on the phone you might have expected would be asked in a face-to-face interview. So prepare like you would for an in-person interview.

Virtual interviews are generally shorter than in-person interviews — they may be as short as five minutes, or last up to an hour. The typical phone interview lasts 20-30 minutes. When the phone interview is scheduled, that is the time to ask how much time to allow — and then add 30 minutes to it, just in case.

In-depth phone interviews are also more common in management and executive positions — especially when relocation is required. For these positions, one or two phone interviews may be conducted before an invitation is made for a face-to-face interview.

Virtual interviews can save you time — but they can also save you money. You do not have to drive to an interview (or travel, if relocation is required).

As with a face-to-face interview, there are two possible outcomes from a virtual interview. Either you will advance to another interview (either by phone or face-to-face), or you will be eliminated from consideration.

The most important advice for any type of interview also applies to virtual interviews: Practice really does make perfect.

The Phone Interview

So many first impressions are made on how a jobseeker looks. But what if the first job interview is a phone interview?

This can actually be an advantage to a phone interview — it focuses on content, not appearance. What matters is what you say and how you say it. Phone interviews can be an advantage for jobseekers concerned about age discrimination or being judged by how they look.

Approximately 70 percent of what we communicate is shared nonverbally. However, in a phone interview, all you have to rely on are verbal cues and context.

One of the hardest things about a phone interview is you cannot use the interviewer’s non-verbal cues to judge if you should keep talking or not. To compensate for this, it is best to keep your answers brief: allow the interviewer to ask follow-up questions if he or she wants more information.

Phone interviews are huge time-savers for hiring managers. Some phone interviews are very brief — designed to make an initial introduction, clarify issues on the résumé, or discuss the position. Phone interviews are sometimes called “screening interviews.” That is because they are often used to “weed out” candidates before beginning a round of in-person interviews.

Next time we'll go into more detail about how to best prepare for the phone interview.  In the meantime, please contact us with any questions!

Part 4 on Networking -- Keeping it confidential and wrapping it up....

Tips for confidential networking

So here we are on the last part of networking.  And remember networking isn't just for a job search, but for all of your professional activities. But if you are a job hunter who wants to use your network and yet keep your job search confidential, here are a few tips:

1. Be sure you are building your network even when you’re not searching for a new job. Again, listen to Harvey Mackay’s admonition to “dig your well before you’re thirsty.” Having a robust network can also help you be more effective in your current position too by giving you access to people who can help you solve the problems you face in your daily work.
2. Contact members of your network individually about your job search instead of mass messages or social media updates. Let your contact know that you are conducting your job search quietly, and ask for their help in keeping your search confidential.
3. If your primary purpose of networking is for your job search, don’t network on company time or using company resources. And never use your company email to send emails to your networking contacts.
4. When you are updating your LinkedIn profile as part of your job search, turn on LinkedIn’s privacy setting about sharing notifications before you change your profile or add a bunch of new contacts.

Adjusting your LinkedIn profile settings for privacy

Let's talk a little more about your LinkedIn account and privacy. In your LinkedIn account, in the upper right-hand corner of the page, access the drop-down menu under your name and choose the “Settings” option.
 

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Turn on/off your activity broadcasts” under the Privacy Controls section.

On the “Activity broadcasts” pop-up, make sure that the box is UNCHECKED for “Let people know when you change your profile, make recommendations, or follow companies.”

 
When conducting a confidential job search, this will ensure that your network of connections isn’t alerted when you make changes to your LinkedIn profile.

Keys to Success

So now let's recap:

• Don’t wait until you need a job to build your network. You should constantly be building — and strengthening — your connections with your network. One of the easiest ways to do this is using LinkedIn. One of the most effective ways to improve your network, however, is through personal contact. Do something to build your network each and every day, whether that’s sending an email to someone you haven’t talked to in a while, or identifying someone new you want to meet.
• Ask for help. Most people will be happy to help you — but you need to ask!
• Be specific in what you’re asking for. A specific request for assistance (“Does anyone know someone who works in the accounting department at Company X?”) is more likely to be fulfilled than a general request (“I need a new job! Help!”)
• Prepare for networking. Have business cards made that are strictly for networking. You can have cards made very inexpensively on VistaPrint or use a more attention-getting format like Moo Cards
• Follow-up. If a networking contact gives you advice, a lead, or information, follow up on that information — and then also get back to that person to let them know how it went.
• Remember to help others when they need it. By helping people who ask you for assistance, your network will be stronger when you need it.

When You Get Your New Job

Finally, after you land your new job, be sure to thank your network — especially contacts that have specifically helped you with your job search. Send a personal note to everyone who assisted you in your search and consider sending or giving a small gift to those who were of particular help. And don’t forget to spread the word that you’ve accepted a new opportunity. Again, posting it on LinkedIn is a great place to start using the updates field as well as adding the new position to your profile.  BUT don't forget to change those privacy settings back to reach as wide an audience as possible.

Don’t neglect your network just because you found a new job. One of the most important parts of maintaining your network is providing assistance when you are asked. Be responsive to requests for help from folks in your network when you are asked. Every person you meet is a potential networking contact. But networking is a two-way relationship. Don’t just see your network as contacts — see them as people. Learn about them and what they do.

Remember the advice of author and networking pro Harvey Mackay: “If I had to name the single characteristic shared by all the truly successful people I’ve met over a lifetime, I’d say it is the ability to create and nurture a network of contacts. A network replaces the weakness of the individual with the strength of a support system. You don’t have to know everything as long as you know the people who do.”

Words Etc. wishes you the best of luck in your job search through networking.  If you have a question or we can be of assistance with your resume or your LinkedIn profile, don't hesitate to contact us and be sure to check out other blog posts and our resources page.