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Video Interview
Prep 101
Preparing
For Your
Next
Interview
Whether you are interviewing for a remote role or the company prefers video over in-person, preparing for a video interview differs slightly from preparing for meeting in person. We’re sharing 5 tips to set you up for success.
Interview Questions From Our Recruitment Pros
To have you feeling as prepared as possible for your next interview and to put you in the best position in your job search, we’re breaking down some of the most common interview questions and how to answer them.
What Are Hiring Managers Really Looking For?
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Preparing for an upcoming interview, whether in person or via video call can be an anxiety-provoking event. We’re sharing our favorite tips from the frontlines of recruitment to help you feel confident going into your next interview.
You’ve conducted your company research, prepped questions in advance, and mastered your career narrative, but what you don’t know is exactly what the interviewer may be looking for. While this is a common area of uncertainty for many, we’re sharing the top four qualifications your next interviewer may be seeking in order to help you feel more prepared.
How To Write The Perfect Thank You Note
You nailed the interview, but your work isn’t done yet. Now it’s time to seal the deal with a perfectly crafted thank you note. How do you start it? What do you say? Not to worry, we have you covered. We’re breaking down our top tips on how to write the best post-interview thank you note that will give you the extra advantage over the other interviewees.
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Just like in an in-person interview, it is important to do your research on the company and who you are interviewing with, but it is also important to research the platform or website you will be using for the video interview. Do you need a headset? Is your laptop or tablet compatible? Do you need to download an app or update your software? Adding in this extra step to your research will not only have you feeling confident about the company, but you will go into your video interview without fear of any tech issues.
VIDEO INTERVIEW TIP #1: DO YOUR RESEARCH
VIDEO INTERVIEW TIP #2: GET READY, TOP TO BOTTOM
Our video interview tip #2 may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many candidates don't follow it. Just like you would for an in-person interview, it’s also important to look presentable for a video interview. You may think that since the video camera will only capture your chest up it is okay to wear sweats or leggings, and while no one may ever notice, it is best not to take the risk. Get ready fully, including wearing pants or a skirt that match your outfit and are interview appropriate.
VIDEO INTERVIEW TIP #3: KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS
If you are taking the video interview at home, be sure that there is a neutral and non-distracting wall behind you. Put away any inappropriate or personal things that may be in the frame and keep it professional. Be sure that the area is well lit and has somewhere to place your laptop or tablet at an appropriate angle for a video meeting.
VIDEO INTERVIEW TIP #4: CHARGE IT
Whether you are having a phone or video interview we cannot stress enough the importance of a fully charged battery and extra charger just in case. The worst thing that could happen is you end a great interview abruptly due to a dead battery.
VIDEO INTERVIEW TIP #5: TESTING MAKES PERFECT
Testing your tech before your interview is key! This is our recruiters favorite video interview tip. Of course, you should practice prior to your interview, but it is also very important to test that your webcam works, your microphone is connected, and any headsets or additional accessories needed for the video chat are properly functioning and work with the platform. Realizing 2 minutes before your video interview that something isn't working properly will cause unnecessary stress and may throw you off your game.
BONUS TIP: TREAT IT LIKE AN IN-PERSON INTERVIEW
VIDEO INTERVIEW TIP #5: TESTING MAKES PERFECT
Just because the interview is done through technology, doesn’t mean you should treat it as less important than any other interview. Prep as you would for any interview and be sure to take the extra precautions around technology and your surroundings.
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INTERVIEW QUESTION #1:
WHAT IS DRIVING YOU TO MAKE A MOVE?
Hiring managers often want to know why you're leaving a role to get a better sense of what you're looking for in your next position. Whether salary, career development opportunities, benefits or something entirely different is driving your move, you'll want to prepare an answer for this interview question. A top interview tip from our recruiters is to never speak negatively about your former/current employer, so be sure to be honest without maligning your current employment situation.
INTERVIEW QUESTION #2:
WHY DO YOU THINK YOU’D BE A GOOD FIT FOR THIS ROLE?
This interview question is your time to shine and tell your story so be sure to include it in your interview prep. How did you get to this point in your career? What drives you? How have past steps in your career set you up to succeed in this role? There's no need to walk through your entire resume during the interview, you want to speak only to what’s relevant to this position, so this is where research and practice come in. Tailor your response to this specific opportunity bringing in what you learned from your interview research.
INTERVIEW QUESTION #3:
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?
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This interview question is a great opportunity to set yourself apart. Be sure to tie your strengths back to the role you’re interviewing for! Speaking on your weaknesses in an interview can be a bit more difficult, but it is always important to be honest, and bring it back to your experience. For example, if one of your weaknesses is taking on too much at once, you can also share that you have learned from your previous roles to depend on your coworkers more, ask for help and delegate. An interview tip from our recruitment agency team is to be careful of the trap of using a strength for a weakness (i.e.: I’m too organized) as it may come off disingenuous to the interviewer.
Company culture, whether working remotely or in a physical office space, plays a major role in the relationship between you and the organization you are looking to join. While moving through the interview process, the interviewer(s) will do their best to assess how well you’ll fit into the overall company culture. According to our recent job market research, culture fit was the #1 candidate characteristic hiring managers are looking for.
CULTURE FIT
WHAT SETS YOU APART?
Be sure to articulate how your skills, both hard and soft, and experience have helped you build upon your success in prior roles. Questions the interviewer may ask are: What tools and applications did you regularly utilize? What project did you complete that you’re proud of? How did you make process improvements? The goal here is to provide concrete examples of your experience including specific metrics.
SOFT SKILLS WILL SEAL THE DEAL
While what’s on your resume is critically important, the interviewer is likely going to ask you probing questions to understand qualities that are not listed in your past experience. Soft skills like strong communication and detail orientation are increasingly valuable in today’s job market. How you interact with others, how you handle difficult situations, and how you combat problems are all areas potential hiring managers will want to assess. We recommend having a few key scenarios top of mind ahead of the interview, so you feel more prepared.
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WHAT SHOULD YOUR THANK YOU NOTE SAY?
For starters, your thank you note should say more than just thank you for taking the time to interview me today. This is your time to recap why you want the job and what sets you apart as a candidate. You can also take this as an opportunity to provide additional points that were not touched upon in the interview due to timing or just something you forgot to mention as a result of interview nerves.
THANK YOU NOTE BEST PRACTICES
Make sure you have contact information for your interviewer, so you know who to send the thank you note to
Proofread the message and correct any errors, double-check spelling and grammar
Send it out within 24 hours of your interview
If you send a message via email, you may opt to also follow up with a mailed note as well – snail mail stands out these days
Even if you aren’t interested in the job, still send a thank you note - you never know when your path might cross again with this hiring manager – better to leave a good impression that lasts
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