The online job interview: How do I convince on screen?
The medium of video has been growing in importance in application processes for some time now, and since the Corona lockdown, some companies have also been experimenting with the use of video conferencing in job interviews. What should be considered in online job interviews? Expert Matthias Mölleney gives tips.
Having meetings online via Zoom, Skype or Teams is something we've become accustomed to in recent weeks, but how does it work in applicant interviews? My 7 simple practical tips on how to make the online job interview a success:
Tip 1: Set the stage
First of all, as an applicant, I have to realize that the interviewers can only see a section of my person and the room, but very intensively, and that I can shape this section. I would choose a room and a background that matches my personality and how I want to be perceived. Even if it is technically possible, however, I would avoid artificial backgrounds such as those offered by Zoom & Co. It could give the impression that I want to hide something.
Tip 2: Align lights
The lighting, especially of my face, is also very crucial. Too bright light is just as unfavorable as light from behind, e.g. in front of a window, which makes me appear very dark in the video. I would choose the clothes that I think would suit the company and the potential job and that I would wear in a real job interview.
Tip 3: Look me in the eye
Eye contact is particularly difficult. In a "normal" conversation, it's easy to look the other person kindly in the eye, but in a video conference, the other person's "eyes" are the camera next to my screen, not the eyes I see in the video. So it comes down to not looking at the interviewer's image on my screen, but looking at the camera that is recording me. It has an irritating effect on my counterpart if I look somewhere else than at the camera.
Tip 4: Practice makes perfect
It's really not easy, especially when the interviewer asks a question and I intuitively look at the picture and not at the camera. That's why you should definitely practice talking to the camera before working with such an instrument. It is also helpful, as far as possible, to use the gallery view, in which the images of all participants are displayed as small windows, and then to move the small image of the interviewer on my screen as close as possible to the camera - then it is less noticeable if I do not look directly at the camera, but at the image of the interviewer.
Tip 5: Cheat correctly
I would also stick small post-its on which I have written down important questions or information on my screen as close to the camera as possible, so that it doesn't irritate the interviewer when I quickly look up what else I wanted to say or ask on these cheat sheets.
Tip 6: Please do not disturb
In general, it is very useful to find out which video conferencing solution will be used before the call and then to familiarize yourself with this solution beforehand. There are a lot of suitable online tutorials for this purpose. It goes without saying that you should avoid possible sources of interference in the room, but electronic sources of interference, such as vibrating smartphones or incoming emails and chat messages, should also be switched off before the conversation in order to avoid distractions.
Tip 7: Be authentic and good luck with the online job interview
Otherwise, of course, the same rules apply in an online job interview as in a "normal" interview, i.e. appear natural and competent, be well prepared, and be able to present a clear picture of yourself and your skills. And just as in a face-to-face interview, you always need that famous bit of luck that your personal fit matches the job, the team and the company.
Author
Matthias Mölleney is head of the Center for Human Resources Management & Leadership at the HWZ.
