Although it may seem intimidating at first, just like in real life, it's possible to become professional in digital interviews after your 5th one! Of course, there’s no rule that everything will go smoothly; you might not even receive feedback. We’ve gathered some digital interview tips where body language and facial expressions play a minimal role, and you’ll have to carefully manage your breathing and time.
Video interviews, where you answer a list of questions while looking at the camera, are becoming increasingly common for initial screenings. Especially during the Covid-19 period, even HR professionals who were initially reluctant have warmed up to this idea. As your practice increases, you might even start to enjoy these types of interviews. The first and possibly golden rule is to make a strong first impression so that your video continues to be viewed. If you reflect on yourself, would you rather listen to a birthday message with a shaky frame, home clothes, and a careless tone, or a carefully crafted and enthusiastic one? Follow the article for more tips like this!
What Kind of Questions Will You Encounter?
This stage of the process is focused on getting to know you, rather than testing or challenging you. Any concerns about being tested may come up in the second round. In the first-round interviews, the questions typically align with those in regular job or internship interviews. Nowadays, there may be professionals who inquire about what you did during the pandemic to stay current.
Questions like "Can you tell us about yourself?", "What do you know about our company?", "Why do you want to work with us?", "Can you tell us about your strongest and weakest traits?", "What do you think was your biggest failure in life?", and "Is there any work in your previous job or academic life that you would consider a success?" or similar ones will likely appear on the list in front of you.
What should you wear?
We recommend not straying too far from what you would typically wear to a regular job interview. You can choose a polished outfit that doesn’t feature bright, flashy designs or patterns, avoiding anything overly extravagant or too plain. Your background or framing is equally important. If possible, set yourself up in front of a plain wall (preferably not white) and stabilize your camera or phone with a tripod (or any similar functional household item) for the recording.
Why Are Digital Interviews Preferred?
As mentioned earlier, this technology continues to spread. It allows both candidates to remain fresh and HR professionals to listen to more candidates. In this fast-paced screening process, capturing attention initially is crucial. Rest assured, the time allocated to watch each video isn't the same! The person reviewing your video can easily compare candidates while listening to the same answers, and might even revisit candidates they’re unsure about.
Are There Any Disadvantages?
As with anything, the answer is, of course, yes! This applies to both sides; the person hiring you cannot guide you to the desired answer, and you might not find answers to your questions. But remember, these are disadvantages that apply to everyone. Moreover, even if you were doing it face-to-face, you’d still encounter some drawbacks!
What Are Employers Looking For?
First impressions and communication skills! To be more specific, experts who analyze these types of interviews highlight candidates who can express themselves concisely and effectively! If answers are delivered directly without unnecessary elaboration, that’s enough for them. Of course, it’s important not to exceed the time allotted, both in terms of rules and avoiding boredom!
Focus on the advantages of this interview format, which you can tackle with a bit of preparation. Fortunately, you’re allowed a few minutes to relax between answers and do some research. Also, no one expects you to hide the fact that your hands are shaking!