3,2,1..recording..
This is a common message you might see as a job applicant in the 21st Century. Tides are shifting in the recruiting industry and companies are embracing these changes.
What could I mean? For one, how about the title and first sentence of this article.
If you didn’t catch the hints I’m referring to virtual interviewing. They’re commonplace in today’s hiring process particularly in the technology and software space. This is especially the case if you’re interviewing for a sales or marketing role, as face-to-face interactions and/or demo’s are common amongst both of these job descriptions.
So now that you know that virtual aka webcam style interviews are common these days it’s time we cover the to-do’s and the please for the love of all that’s holy please don’t do’s.
The basics:
- Know your environment. What kind of lighting does your background have? Is the area in your background clean?
- Display yourself as if you’re meeting your manager for the first time. What do I mean? Body language is key. If you’re sitting, sit up straight and own those power poses. If you’re standing, know how far down your webcam usually displays and please don’t rock a suit jacket and gym shorts just because it’s more comfortable. C’mon!
- Does your diction usually include a mountain of um’s? If so, I’d recommend rehearsing sample recorded answers and listen to your playback. Sometimes you’ll find you do this more than you’d realize.
- Do you meander around points and tend to be a bit too verbose? These virtual interviews are recorded and range from 3-5 minutes allowed for each answers. Be concise. Get to the point.
- This is last but most certainly the most important factor in my opinion. Do your friggin’ homework! I don’t just mean look at a company’s most recent article or press statement and reference that the whole time. Go through company’s entire websites, their Linkedin company page, the Linkedin profiles of your potential managers and C-Suite and know who might be rating your answers. It will show.
- Sub-last point. Know your potential role! Re-read the job description and be sure you understand exactly what is expected of you in terms of deliverables, company culture, and in the end why you are the one to help them get the shit done they need done.
The nightmares:
- I referred know your environment and background. This includes not sitting at your dining room table with a wall full of ceramic plates with cats on them. It’s a true story and just don’t. It was terrible.
- Are you a wild weekend warrior? That’s fine just don’t bring that shit into your virtual interview. I recently was rating a candidate’s responses and I could decipher if he was drunk or high but nonetheless it was obvious. Leave the goodtime Charley life for off hours.
- I didn’t include this in the to-do’s but here’s the polar example. Don’t sound like you just downed a bottle of nighttime theraflu. Bring that energy and passion and don’t put your hiring managers to sleep!
- I mentioned above the importance of being concise. I recently reviewed a candidate’s virtual interview where they responses average 20 seconds or less. There lies a difference between being concise and answering like you don’t give a shit and/or didn’t do any preparation and are clearly winging it.
- Doing your homework and knowing the in’s and out’s of your potential employer are phenomenal. What isn’t phenomenal is referring to your hiring managers in an unprofessional/informal manner before ever meeting them. It doesn’t make you look cool by referring to Ms. Smith as Barb. You look like an asshole.
Now that you made it this far here’s a treat from one of my favorite movie interview fails
Thanks for reading!
<Max>