In the past, phone interviews were the way
to go when it came to interviewing outside the office. With the internet being
so ubiquitous and readily available, online job interviews are becoming ever
more common and popular in the business world. Employers are rapidly embracing
web based technologies when it comes to screening and
interviewing job applicants. Compared to a conventional interview, online
interviews are far cheaper as they do not entail any transportation or lodging costs.
Webcam technology also enables interviewers to gage body language and facial
expressions. While all of the conventional interview wisdom applies to online
interviews (research the company, be engaging, provide positive answers etc.),
there are a few things to take into consideration.
Prepare Your Space
More likely than not, you will be
conducting your interview from the comfort of your home. This means that you
will not only be presenting yourself but also your surroundings. Make sure you
tidy up your workspace and remove from sight any clutter or belongings that
might reflect poorly on you. If you live with roommates, family or pets, try to
get them to go out while your interview is taking place so you will not be
distracted. Have a pen and paper ready, to avoid having to get up in the middle
of an interview. Make sure you have a copy of your resume on the table for
quick access to dates and other relevant information.
Be Technically Prepared
This may seem like an obvious piece of
advice, but be sure to check your webcam is connected properly and all of the
software you need is in working order. Make a few test calls to friends or
family using the same software you will be using during your interview to
confirm everything is in good working order. Before your interview gets
underway, close all other programs that might be open. This eliminates the
chance of other programs interrupting your meeting, slowing down your computer
or causing crashes. There is always a possibility of your interviewer to ask to
share your screen, so make sure your desktop is tidy and professional. Remove
any shortcuts you do not want to be seen and chose a neutral wallpaper.
Make Yourself Heard
Webcams are usually not equipped with great
microphones, so concentrate on speaking clearly, loudly and without mumbling.
If you speak quietly or mumble you run the risk of your webcam not picking it
up, and your potential employer might miss some important things you have said.
Speaking into a camera when you are alone in a room is not the most natural
thing in the world, so a good tip is to practice beforehand. Get used to the
way your voice sounds and speak in a conversational tone, just as you would in
a conventional interview.
Appearance and Facial Expressions
Just because you are not in the same room,
and might be very far apart, it does not mean the interviewer will not be
scrutinizing your appearance, body language and facial expression. These things
could be the deciding factors that will put you ahead of the competition. The
fact that you are sitting at home does not justify wearing overly casual
clothing or being unkempt. A good rule of thumb is to dress and act just the
way you would if you were heading to the office for an interview. Sit up,
smile, and be sure to make eye contact. Even though you will be sitting down,
wear nice trousers and shoes- you never know when you will need to get up.
Leave nothing to chance.
Ask Questions
As in any interview situation, if you do
not understand something feel free to ask for clarification. Your interviewer
might be in a noisy office, and there may be times when you cannot make out
what they are saying. By no means should you attempt to answer questions you
did not hear or fully understand. Your interviewer should recognize webcams can
be hard to hear and will have no objections to repeating or rephrasing questions.
Do
not be shy to ask about salaries, vacation days and other important job
characteristics.
In conclusion
If done correctly, web interviews can be
less stressful than a conventional interview. Make sure you are well prepared
and relaxed. Good luck!
Image credit: Unsplash/Pixabay
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