In these times and due to the implementation of social distancing measures around the world, many companies have opted to use virtual interviews for their hiring. According to data collected as of March 2020, HireVue, which counts among its clients several companies with a global presence, reported that 89% of employers have made the switch to virtual interviews. Kevin Parker, President of HireVue, shared his perspective on the most common mistakes job candidates make when participating in a virtual interview.
Lack of Preparation
The first is that they don't prepare enough. Preparing for a virtual interview is pretty much the same as if you were going to have an in-person interview. You need to have a list of stories and experiences on hand that can be applied to the different situations you might encounter. Think about the job or job description and how your experience might be compatible with it. It is also helpful to write down some notes to use for reference in the interview, as well as have the job description handy.
Choosing the Wrong Place for the Interview
The second mistake is not taking into account where you are going to conduct the virtual interview. Although this type of interview is very convenient, it also requires some planning. Try to find a place where there are no distractions or noise, as well as adequate lighting, as this could cause problems with the camera.
Failure to Ensure Equipment Performance
Third, do not check the equipment. Even though we may not have any problems with the equipment, we should take the time in advance to have everything ready before the interview begins. If it is going to be a pre-recorded interview, you should review the practice questions before you start the recording. In the case of live interviews, try to enter the platform a few minutes beforehand to make sure there are no setbacks.
Concern for Eye Contact
Fourth, worry too much about eye contact. A virtual interview is not a screen test, so don't worry too much about looking directly into the camera during the interview. It is much more important to feel comfortable and be able to talk about your experience as naturally as possible as this gives us the opportunity to tell our story.
Make Yourself Comfortable
Parker was also asked about what are the things that candidates usually don't take into account when they are preparing their computer for a virtual interview. To which he responded that it is important to first make sure you are comfortable. You have to set up in a place where you can focus all your attention and you can stay for 20 to 30 minutes comfortably. Most interviews give you a chance to prepare for the questions, take a few minutes to practice and check that the equipment and environment are right.
Emphasis on Illumination
Another technical mistake that candidates make in virtual interviews is that they do not select a place that has adequate lighting and no distractions. It doesn't need to be in an office, however, it should be a relatively quiet place with enough light so that you can be seen without any problems. Many times you can have a pretty good interview sitting at the kitchen table or in the car. Choose a place that gives the best possible impression and most importantly: the phone should be on vibrate mode so that it does not become a distraction.
In addition to the above, there is a belief that because it is a non-face-to-face interview the candidate will be evaluated differently than if it were a live interview and they feel that their answers have to be perfect. However, recruiters know that candidates can be nervous no matter what type of interview it is. That doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare and give it the importance and seriousness as if it were a live interview. Parker recommends thinking about the organization of the area where the interview will take place, technical aspects, and making sure your body language is as professional as possible.
Source: Liu, Joseph (2020). Virtual Job Interview Technology CEO Reveals Common Candidate Video Interviewing Pitfalls. Forbes (Accessed May 13). https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephliu/2020/0506/virtual- job-interview-kevin-parker-hirevue/#427292831d05
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