Top Tips For Mastering Phone And Video Interviews

Top Tips for Mastering Phone and Video Interviews Initial interviews by phone or Skype are more widespread than they was. It’s an economical way to display screen candidates in the preliminary phases of a recruitment course of. As hiring becomes extra international, both for employers and candidates, video interviewing is a approach to expedite the interview course of. At Expedia, we use phone and video interviews all the time â€" the primary interview is nearly at all times conducted over the cellphone. I use video Skype on a regular basis to speak to my worldwide shoppers, as properly. I know from expertise that many job seekers discover video interviews quite intimidating. They assume it’s hard sufficient to interview face-to-face, not to mention in entrance of a digicam and microphone! However, with a little bit of advance planning, the video interview isn't very different from an in-individual interview. Here are some tips that may allow you to put together for phone and video interviews: Phone Interviews 1. Make positive you won’t be interrupted, and remember to charge your cellphone upfront. It’s happened to me on multiple event that a candidate’s phone battery died in the course of the interview because they forgot to cost it. That’s not an excellent impression. 2. Do your research and put together your answers to typical interview questions, as you’d do for an in-individual interview. While many phone interviews are simply brief telephone screens with a recruiter, you would possibly discover you’re on the phone for well over an hour and are expected to answer detailed questions about your previous roles and achievements. Make positive you could have relevant examples ready utilizing the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Take time to think about your answers, and if you don’t fully perceive the query, ask for clarification. 3. Smile if you talk â€" you’ll sound more assured and relaxed. (Click here to tweet this thought.) Use a headset for cellphone int erviews if you can. It doesn’t harm to look within the mirror when on the cellphone â€" are you being energetic and enthusiastic? Make sure you sound enthusiastic, just like the sort of individual they might need on their group. four. Moderate your tempo via the beginning of the decision. If you’re nervous, you might naturally speak faster, so deep respiratory earlier than the interview will help. 5. Don’t interrupt the interviewer. I’ve heard many hiring managers complain about that. You don’t want to sound like when you’re impatient for them to complete. 6. Don’t drone on. One of my hiring managers advised me a candidate took 25 minutes to answer two questions â€" we didn't take her via to the next stage. You wish to give details, but too much info is unhealthy. Lastly, as you clearly can’t choose reactions in the same method as whenever you’re face-to-face with an interviewer, it may be helpful to ask questions such as, “Do you need me to go into more detail?â € Video Interviews More and more companies now are using video for job interviews. Some could invite you to their office to make use of video conferencing facility (we used to do it for interviews with U.S. primarily based hiring managers), but video Skype interviews are additionally very popular. Your aim is to arrange and be comfortable with the video interview format so no technical challenges distract you from making a great impression. Here are some suggestions for acing the video job interview: 1. Make certain your consumer name and profile picture creates the proper impression. You don’t need your profile image to be a topless holiday photograph, as was the case with considered one of our candidates for a Software Development Engineer function! Also, your consumer name must be professional. PartyGirl85 won’t reduce it. You don’t need the interviewer to misjudge you at the start of the interview. 2. Dress such as you would for a standard interview. I’ve heard of somebody who wore sweatpan ts and an oversized T-shirt for his Skype interview. It appeared like he couldn’t care less. three. Avoid any unprofessional or distracting background. You don’t want the interviewer to see a pile of laundry behind you. Elaborate backgrounds could be very distracting, too. 4. Test your Skype connection before your interview. Check that the Internet connection works and that the lighting is flattering. You don’t need to look washed out or shrouded in shadows. Test the sound and close all different Internet purposes that might interfere with Skype. 5. Be conscious of background noise. The microphone picks up all noises, so avoid typing or shuffling papers in the course of the interview. 6. Make eye contact. That means wanting directly into the camera more often than not, not at the display or the image screen of yourself. 7. Sound enthusiastic and energetic, not bored or uncomfortable. You ought to attempt to come across as passionate about the job and the group in any interview , together with a video interview. 8. Prepare a two-minute pitch about yourself. Really take into consideration how you need to come across and what sets you apart from other candidates. 9. Act as when you’re in the interviewer’s workplace. Good posture is necessary; sit up straight and try not to slouch or fidget. Don’t overlook to spend time preparing to answer the interview questions. Looking good on webcam is essential, however your solutions to the interview questions are much more necessary. Remember to additionally ask them some good questions and ship a thank you notice after your interview to reiterate your curiosity within the role. Good luck! Recruiters and hiring managers, what different ideas would you give candidates making ready for a phone or video interview? Margaret Buj is an interview and career acceleration coach who focuses on serving to professionals get any job they need at their best ever salary. If you want to learn how recruiters learn resumes, why yo u’re not getting employed, tips on how to promote your self successfully in a job interview and tips on how to negotiate your finest wage but, you'll be able to download her free “You’re HIRED!” video course. Image: Photobucket