Due to the many changes brought on by the pandemic, in-person interviews are a thing of the past. Here are a few steps you can take to prepare for your next video interview and make an impact from behind a screen.
Preparing For the Interview
What I always tell candidates is the first thing that you should be doing is looking up the specific company that you’re interviewing for. Look over the full job description and make sure you write down any questions that you come across, if you have any. Then, also thinking about any skills that you have that can translate well into this role.
I’d also say just make sure that you come with a printed copy of your resume. Being that it’s a virtual interview, you can use that as something to refer to. Just make sure that you understand the qualifications and responsibilities for the roles so that you know an idea of what they might be asking in terms of directly applicable experience.
While you’re answering those questions, tailor your experiences that you’ve had in your past. Think of situations that will be applicable for possible behavioral questions they might ask you, and tailor that exactly to what they’re looking for.
When deciding what to wear for the interview, we always say it’s best to dress as professionally as possible from the waist up nothing distracting, and making sure that you present your best image for the client.
While preparing for the interview, you should make sure that you decide where exactly you’re going to set up your call, make sure it’s in a quiet place with no extra background noise. Make sure your computer is fully charged and that you are ready to go for the interview.
The Interview
When in your interview and you’re asked questions, we always recommend that you use the S.T.A.R. method in answering those questions. The S.T.A.R. method stands for Situation, Task, Action and Results.
When using the S.T.A.R. method, you’ll be able to give an overview of the situation that you were involved in, the tasks that you were presented with executing, the actions that you took and what the results were that followed.
Ending the Interview
At the end of the interview, you will most likely be asked what questions you have for the interviewer and it’s important to have at least three questions to ask them. I always say it’s best to ask questions that only the manager will be able to answer. What I mean by that is any employee of an organization can tell you more about the mission statement or the culture of the office. Questions like how your performance will be evaluated in the role, any special projects that you’ll be assigned to within the first 90 days or questions about the manager themselves and their experience with the company.
Also this is your chance to show and express your excitement and interest in this opportunity. It is also your chance to ask about the next steps.
After the Interview
After your interview it is important to write a thank you note thanking the interviewer for their time meeting with you. Once you have sent your thank you note to your recruiting manager, make sure you let them know that it’s in their inbox and they will be reaching out to you regarding feedback once they hear back from the client.
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