There are many strategies to having a successful video interview. I have heard and read about all the steps one should take during this process, from the background of the room that you are in to the children making noise in the background. At the end of it all, this is what I have found, video interviewing is about you and your presentation. It’s about how you feel about yourself. You are who you think you are and others will think that too. Fortunately, video conferencing by Blue Jeans network makes the technology that helps you look good.
First Impressions Are Still Important
Most people think about what they look like when they go outside their homes, especially to an interview. Yet when it comes to working from the comforts of your home, they seem to forget that technology brings the outside world in, and allows you to have that same face to faceexperience. Your first impression is still important and even more so when you are preparing for an interview remotely. The term dress for success is not dead. You should shower. Yes, I said shower. It is amazing how fresh you will feel and look after taking care of your hygiene. After all, how many days have you been working (or not) in your pajamas? It will show. Dress the part. Dress the way you would if you were going to an outside face to face appointment.Dress from your head to your toes. Sources from The College of Education at The University of Texas say that 55% of another person’s perception of you is based on how you look. There are some awesome tips on this site to help you make your decision on what to wear and help you to look good.
Two Things You Need to Know – No Matter What the Job
So now you look good and you are ready for your video interview. You know that you are qualified for the position. You have practiced and are ready for anything. Or are you? One thing you need to know, which you may not have considered, is the company that you are interviewing with. Do you know anything more about them other than they have a job opening? You should. Research the company you are applying to. Learn as much about who they are and what they are looking for as you can. What are their core values? Can you keep them? These are questions that you must know the answers to. Cynthia Brodrick of Bankrate.com believes that preparation and planning for that first impression should be done long before your interview. I agree. As soon as you know you have an interview you should start to prepare. It will be noticed.
The second interview technique that you should know is yourself. Prepare yourself. You know that you are qualified. But the company doesn’t. Use this video interview process to show them you know who you are. Make it easy for them to know you. It is amazing that almost every company asks the same type of questions and most times the questions do not pertain to the technicalities of the job function. Your resume has already told them what you know about that.They are looking to find out who you are. So tell them. You should have your references and accomplishments handy just in case they ask you about them. You should also know why you want the job? Have an answer for what you can do for them as well as what you expect them to do for you. Try hard for it to be more than the paycheck. After all this, make sure you have at least two questions that you can ask them. They will be impressed.
It’s Not Their Office – It’s Your Office
Think of it this way. You are not going out to their office, you are inviting them into yours. So what image do you want to present?Remember to look around the area where you will be holding your interview and determine what can be seen. Now do you really want your perspective employer to see that? For example, the mail that has piled up waiting for you to do something with it. I had an interview where the mail, a lot of it, was on the side and I realized that it could be seen in the middle of the interview.It was too late to move it now.It became a distraction to me. My focus changed from the camera to the mail. This was not good. Holding an interview via a video conference by BlueJeans can help you by giving insight into the logistics of your interview. Study to show yourself ready for the job you are going after and know the company, know yourself and know your office. You will nail your video conference interview. Go get that job!
