Of all the trials and challenges facing the job seeker today, there’s another one that’s coming along quickly – video based screening and interviewing. The trend isn’t going to overtake the standard face-to-face final interview, but it is becoming more prevalent in the prescreening and first interview phase.
How it Works
Many of the offerings out there today operate an automated screening approach. The hiring company creates a few standard interview questions and sends an invitation to their most promising batch of candidates. No worries if you don’t have a webcam hooked up to your computer. Either you are given time to go buy one, or one is sent to you at the company’s cost. Those that expect you to go out and buy one are probably okay with you bailing out at that point in the process. After all, if you’re not willing to get yourself out to the local gadget store and spend $20-$50, then, really how interested in the job can you be?
Watch out, though, as these applications are not all the same. One such tool gives you a short window to review the question and think about your answer – maybe 30 seconds – then you are ON, literally, answering in the one take allotted. Another application provides a bit more comfort for the job seeker allowing you to review your answer and re-record it as many times as you want before submitting it to the company. Don’t worry, no one is holding on to those out-takes to embarrass you later on. They are recorded over at your command.
Tips to shine:
- Watch your lighting. When there is bright light behind you, you’ll come across as a silhouette
- Make eye contact with the camera. Put a person’s picture right there if that helps.
- Be natural. Smile, use hand gestures, whatever you would normally do if you were speaking to a person.
- Isolate yourself. No cats, no dogs, no lawn mower outside, no kids running in crying.
These types of video interviewing set ups are used by the hiring firms to filter out poor matches quickly.