HirexFire: Video Interview Best Practices
H I R E ╳ F I R E
You can learn a lot by witnessing what NOT to do in interviews and throughout the recruiting process at large. We’ve pulled together a few cringe-worthy scenes with life advice to interview and be interviewed better than some of Hollywood’s best.
A Lesson from The Internship on
Video Interviewing
"Ok, now when I hit this, they'll be able to see us."
Now, sit up straight, sit up straight. Look alive, look alive.
Come on, get in close so we can be seen on the webcam. See how small the webcam is? Get cheek to cheek."
"We can see you guys."
Virtual and web-based interviews have been thrust into the global spotlight. It’s true, using video has been largely adopted by companies in the past. Nevertheless, we've NEVER seen volume or scale used in the interview process!
For many candidates and employers, recent circumstances have forced their conversion from face-to-face to digital for the VERY FIRST TIME. If this is the case for you, make sure your first attempt is better than that of Billy McMahon (Vince Vaughn) and Nick Campbell (Owen Wilson) in ‘The Internship.’
The bar is low in comparison. But, everyone can benefit from a bit of free advice.
TO THE EMPLOYER:
If online interviews are new to you, don’t get discouraged if the first few attempts give you some issues.
Change often brings challenges. Just as you may learn a new skill, adjusting to remote-based interviewing could be a first for the candidate. Set up a practice interview with a coworker or someone in your network who knows how these platforms operate to feel comfortable with the technology.
The interview process is stressful enough for candidates.
As always, be patient with distractions, technical challenges, or other inevitable mishaps that occur on the candidate’s behalf or your own. Acknowledging the anomaly and demonstrating empathy will go a long way in promoting a positive candidate experience, regardless of the outcome.
TO THE CANDIDATE:
We get it. “Acing” a video interview is tough.
There are so many variables to consider: attire, video backgrounds, their questions, your responses, pets, or even the occasional disruptive yet amusing interruption by your kids. Fortunately, the basic steps you'd usually take to prepare for an in-person interview are still relevant for video: review the company overview, brand, products, teams, culture, role description, etc.
Don’t skip THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.
Figure out where you're “going” beforehand. Would you wait until 10 minutes before your in-person interview to look up the address? Hopefully not. So, check your meeting invite and download the Zoom, Skype, MS Teams driver the night before. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the software. Sidestep the dreaded "Can you hear me now?" stage and instead meaningfully kick off the discussion with your future employer.
HXH BOTTOMLINE:
Video Interviews Are Tough
Humans are innately social creatures. The reality is video interviews are different than onsite for a slew of reasons, and many of us need to adjust. As employers and candidates, preparation is the key to a positive experience.
Employers – be empathetic to the situation.
Candidates – come prepared!
