The good news is that you’ve applied for your dream job and received an invitation to an online job interview. There are many advantages to doing a video job interview from home, although there are also pitfalls lurking. This article will reveal what these are and what applicants should watch out for.
Online job interview: Home is where many are more relaxed and authentic
Many candidates are more relaxed when they can introduce themselves online from home in familiar surroundings – and thus appear more natural and authentic. Traditional job interviews at the company’s headquarters, by contrast, make many applicants feel nervous and tense. In addition, an online interview eliminates the need for travel and any delays caused by traffic jams or public transportation. The job interview from home is especially convenient if you live far away from the potential new employer.
Disadvantages of a video job interview: the first-hand impression is missing
A video job interview also has disadvantages for applicants for all its advantages: a personal first-hand impression is missing. Only on-site can you get a first impression of the working atmosphere and the premises. It is difficult to judge from home whether one would feel comfortable there.
If you’re lucky, you could catch the first glimpse of your potential colleagues on site and maybe even get to know them and see how they work among themselves. That, too, is decisive for the question of whether one would like to work at a particular company – and that aspect is completely omitted in the digital job interview.
Avoid potential disruptions in advance
Applicants shouldn’t approach the job interview too casually, even though they’re relaxed at home. Some preparation almost always pays off. First, the physical impression is one of them. Above all, looking for a quiet and neutral location is important. If necessary, request your family, partner or roommate to be careful.
One should absolutely put the smartphone on silent before the conversation. Other potential interruptions should also be kept in mind and prevented if possible. They can also be trivial: To be on the safe side, double-check whether the delivery person will be ringing your doorbell in the next hour.
Do not let the interview degenerate into a monologue
Another sensible strategy is to answer briefly and precisely in the job video interview. If someone is not sitting directly opposite us, sometimes we tend to have monologues – very much like voice messages via WhatsApp.
You should avoid that in a job interview, though. And with short answers, it doesn’t matter if the Internet connection hangs up and someone has to repeat a sentence. And, most importantly, do not forget to smile. After all, the job interview should be fun and show future employers that you would be a likeable colleague.
Make sure you set up the technology optimally before the call
Before the call, it is also essential to do a test run. Turn on the camera and check what your counterpart will see. Can you be seen clearly? Can you see the head fully, or is it cut off to one side? And how does the light work? Since laptop and tablet cameras usually film from below and thus not at the best angle, it is worthwhile to set up the device somewhat elevated.
For the interview, you better use either a large monitor with a webcam or a laptop with a camera. Possible and, in many cases, useful is also to use an external camera. We would only resort to tablets and smartphones with an appropriate tripod. Otherwise, the image will wobble, and you will quickly become distracted.”
Be sure to also test the software in good time
Candidates should also be prepared for the possibility that the technology may not work properly and eliminate potential sources of error in advance. Can you open the link that was sent to you by e-mail? If nothing, have you installed the right software? Do the microphone and camera work properly? Shortly before the interview date, you should also check again to ensure that the Internet connection is stable.
In addition, applicants should not forget that the background also plays an important role in the interview. A football scarf or the nude drawing on the wall are real eye-catchers, but they also distract. Suppose you want to show a little more personality of yourself. In that case, you can put neutral objects or something that fits the company’s philosophy next to or behind you.
Use a cheat sheet
How big was the company again? Who are the CEOs, and what are the locations? This tip is for candidates who are particularly excited and fear forgetting something important during the interview. You can hang a little cheat sheet with important information behind your computer screen.
That little piece of paper can provide a lot of reassurance. During job interviews, candidates shouldn’t cheat too often, though. If you constantly look somewhere else, it will irritate the interviewers.
Keep away from sweatpants
Many applicants also wonder what attire they should choose for an online job interview. Some people feel downright dressed up in a suit in their living room at home and therefore go for the minimal variant: a well-fitting shirt on top and sweatpants that don’t show on the bottom. But this tactic is not good.
Sweatpants or leggings can help you feel more comfortable, but imagine having to stand up during the interview…! So it’s better to wear a full interview outfit. Why not find out in advance what the dress code is at the company you’re applying to. In some cases, they prefer jeans over classic pleated pants.
