The presence and spread of COVID-19 has led to employers across Australia modifying their interviewing protocols from face-to-face interviews to video formats. If you need to continue your search for a new Education or Social Work job during this time, you will likely be invited to participate in a video interview at some stage.
For those unfamiliar with this method of interviewing, it’s natural to feel a little apprehensive. To help you approach the meeting with confidence and maximise your chances of success, keep these video interview tips in mind.
Video Interview Preparation
Video interviews have their own set of nuances and require a bit of extra preparation to ensure they run smoothly. Since video interviews tend to follow the same format as in-person interviews, you should do the same research that you would for any other meeting, including finding out about the company, familiarizing yourself with the job description, identifying examples from your experience to draw from when answering questions and coming up with questions of your own.
You might also find it useful to print out your resume, the job description and any notes you have made so you have them ready to hand. And if you’re not sure what to wear, we suggest you dress as if you are meeting your interviewer in person, but also consider how your outfit looks on screen.
When setting up for a video interview, it’s a good idea to opt for a well-lit, quiet location with a neutral backdrop such as a blank wall to ensure there’s nothing to distract your interviewer. If other people will be at home during your interview, make sure they know not to disturb you. Don’t forget to turn off the notifications on all your devices – even seasoned pros get caught out by loud ringtones interrupting them in the middle of a crucial interview.
In addition to this, we recommend you set up your tech ahead of time and check it is functioning correctly. It may seem obvious, but testing your microphone, camera angle and internet connection is essential for preventing any technical problems from cropping up during your interview. You may also want to consider doing a trial run with a family member, friend or your recruiter to ensure your tech is working well.
Tips for Video Interview Success
As with a face-to-interview, preparation is key – but to ensure your presentation is polished and professional, there are also some easily-forgotten video interview tips to bear in mind during the meeting itself:
We recommend you look at the camera rather than at your screen. This might feel awkward, but it helps you maintain good eye contact with your interviewer.
To help manage any technical hiccups, pause after the interviewer is finished speaking to ensure there aren’t any delays, let them know if you believe you’ve missed something, and check that you have their phone number on hand in case you need a backup contact method.
At the end, don’t forget to thank their interviewer for their time and ask about next steps, the same as you would for any other interview.
Just as you would for an in-person interview, send a follow-up email the next day to say how much you enjoyed the interview and that you look forward to hearing from them when ready.
If you’d like further advice on video interviews or support with your Social Work or Education career during this challenging time, feel free to reach out to us.
