For many years some recruiters have seen interviewing using videoconferencing technology as a good alternative to costly and time consuming long distance travel.
With the advent of cheaper options such as Skype, NetMeeting and MSN Messenger, there is an even greater possibility that your next interview could be facing a camera and screen.
To help you deal with such an eventuality, Spindler consultant Nigel Bates has put together ten short tips to success in a down-the-wire interview!
- Be natural and don’t be put off by the strangeness of the situation. You must put yourself at ease no matter how unnatural it may seem
- Establish exactly who you’re talking to. There may be other people present whom you cannot see on the screen
- Establish the exact purpose of the session. Is it part of the screening process or an in-depth interview? Of course that’s important for all meetings, doubly so in this
- The camera and screen may not be in the same place, particularly if using a standalone webcam and not one built into the PC. Therefore it is important to always look at the camera when answering questions. You should always try to establish eye contact
- Don’t glance back at the screen when talking. You will only end up moving your head from side to side – and you really don’t want to look as if you are watching the tennis!
- There is no need to raise your voice. Your interviewer may be a long way away but the microphone isn’t
- Avoid looking down at notes for any length of time. The interviewer cannot necessarily see these and constant glances downwards can be misinterpreted
- On some systems the interviewer can control camera movement so be aware that it could be more than your head and shoulders on view
- Remember the camera may be on from the moment you enter the room, so be careful Learn to like it. While currently it may not be the most common form of interview, its use is likely to increase. You can’t afford to let it put you off.
