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Video job interviews, how to be prepared for them?

Video job interviews, how to be prepared for them?

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Video job interviews, how to be prepared for them?

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Monday, 11 may 2020 | Redacción CEU

The way we work, interact and enjoy our free time has changed substantially since the arrival of COVID-19 to our lives. The measures taken by different governments to fight this global pandemic are encouraging our society to maintain an even closer relationship with technology. This practically affects all fields, specifically that of human resources, which had already been undergoing a digitization process for a long time. One of the symptoms of this change is the use of video interviews to meet and assess candidates in the selection processes. But are applicants sufficiently accustomed to dealing with this type of interviews?

In the same way that the lockdown has contributed to companies embracing teleworking, it has also encouraged their respective human resources departments to change some of their working methodologies. A recent study carried out by Adecco revealed that during the months of March and April the number of online interviews increased by 150%. Before this exceptional situation caused by the COVID-19 spread, many candidates were already interviewed by video calls, but the percentage was lower. This does not mean that the figure was irrelevant. In the last three years, 40% of candidates were already interviewed remotely.

The boom in video calls

Confinement is helping to change the way we communicate. Wiko's First Study on Technology and Emotions also points out an interesting trend in relation to personal relationships. According to this report conducted by the French smartphone brand, almost 80% of Spaniards have used video calls as a tool to be in touch with their loved ones during quarantine. In particular, the average number of video calls per person in a week is 8. This figure amounts to 13 in the lowest age range (from 18 to 24 years old). Wiko has come to this conclusion based on the results of a survey made by more than 1,000 people aged between 18 and 65.

This same study indicates that 64.54% of the respondents have held events through video calls: birthday celebrations (32.91%), meetings with children of their families and friends (40.55%), calls about the overcoming of a disease (4.21%), welcoming new babies (3.92%), etc. On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that many people are now working remotely and periodically hold meetings through video calls. All this leads us to thinking that this period of learning and pattern changes, albeit exceptional, may have a great impact both on forthcoming personal and professional relationships.

Video job interviews, how to be prepared for them?

The keys to video calls

The quarantine period has served to promote this type of remote communication, even among elderly people. That does not mean that everybody has enough grasp of how video calls work. When it comes to video job interviews, this mishandling may contribute to getting turned down in the selection process. In order to succeed in interviews, candidates need to be prepared in relation to interview contexts as well. In the same way that they prepare to answer questions such as "Why do you want to work for this company?" or "How do you handle pressure in stressful situations?", they should also know about the distinctive nature of facing remote interviews. These are our tips for succeeding in job interviews at home:

Knowing the platform: It is very advisable to carry out a testing video call before the interview, especially when applicants are not familiar with these tools. To do this, applicants can ask trusted friends for help who are familiar with it. They can also take advantage of this help to check technical issues such as the proper working of their cameras, microphones or Wi-Fi connections.
Being prepared a few minutes before: Punctuality is essential in the professional field, but even more so when the activity depends closely on technology. A few minutes may be key when correcting failures that might affect communication.
Choosing the right place: Many workers are having trouble in balancing their family and working life at home these days. As homes are informal and usually shared spaces, this may be difficult. As far as possible, it is necessary to find a quiet, noise-free place in which candidates can feel well and concentrate.
Having what you need on hand: Candidates can prepare a folder with all the documentation that they consider convenient for their interviews (CV, portfolio, articles, etc.). It is also advisable to have a pen and paper to take notes or any other accessory that they can help them to feel more confident. In an ideal interview nothing would catch applicants by surprise. In case it does, the best they can do is to react naturally.
Taking care of your image: Candidates must take care of details such as the quality of the framing, focus and light in video calls. It is recommended to choose a background that does not distract the interlocutor’s attention or one that does not convey a negative message about applicants. A video job interview does not mean that it is a less formal interview. Candidates should prepare as much as they would do in case of in-person interviews.
Acting naturally: For some people it is difficult to react naturally in front of a camera, even if it is not a TV camera. However, it is something that can change with practice. The more familiar the candidates are with video calls, the easier they will be able to react naturally in front of a camera. Candidates should try to show themselves the way they are, by avoiding affectation and answering questions honestly. These are qualities that are highly valued in interviews.

Human capital is the most important asset of a company. This is the reason why The CEU IAM Business School has set itself the goal of teaching an Executive Master’s Degree in Human Resources 4.0 that adequately responds to this premise. Its main objective is to train the manager of the 21st century by focusing on three lines of action: new technologies, innovation and talent and leadership management. Thanks to this program, their students will have the opportunity to go deep into the latest trends in the field of people management, which is part of this new digital context. Do you want to know more about this Master’s? Ask for further information with no obligation on your part!

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