Video Interviewing Tips
Service to the community is at the cornerstone of everything we do. We are dedicated to providing care for our patients and communities without pause. Virtual interviews are a common part of our interview experience as we continue to fill important caregiver roles at Community. The information contained in this guide will help you prepare for a virtual interaction, whether that is a job interview, team introduction or other meeting. If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please reach out to your recruiter for assistance. We look forward to talking with you!
Sincerely,
Community Health Network Talent Acquisition
Before the Interview
Prepare Your Equipment Ahead of Time
Set up your camera and test all your computer equipment for audio and video issues prior to the meeting to avoid technical problems during the call. Download and test any specific meeting software, such as Webex. Be on time and ready to go when the meeting starts.
Surroundings, Background and Lighting
Whether your call is video or telephone, do it in a quiet, business-like setting. For video calls, look behind you, because that’s what the person you’re speaking with will see. A blank or neutral background is best, with a well-organized desktop. Ensure you have enough lighting in the room. A dark room will make it hard to see you. Try not to sit in front of windows as the glare may fade out your image on the camera. Be sure to inform everyone else at home about the meeting; you do not want to be interrupted by a sudden loud noise or someone yelling out your name.
Nervous? It Is OK to Practice
At first, video calls can feel awkward as you figure out where to sit, where to look, what to do with your hands, how the room looks, or how loudly to speak. But it’s easy to work out those kinks ahead of time. If necessary, conduct a practice interview with a friend.
During the Interview
Appearance
Always dress appropriately for the camera. If your at-home appearance is casual, take some time to polish up. Shades of blue - royal, navy, sky blue - look great on video while “hot” colors like reds and magenta may overwhelm the camera. Patterns like small dots or stripes can appear blurry to your interviewer so stick with solids. You will want to look your best to make a great impression on your audience.
Camera Etiquette
Look at the camera, not the interviewer, so it appears to the interviewer that you are making eye contact. Maintain good posture: lean in, but not too close, so the interviewer can read your facial expression.
Speaking
Clarity is very important and it is easy to talk over others on a video call. Be sure to speak up and speak clearly – but not too slowly. Wait for the interviewer to stop speaking before you answer. Give some time for everyone to participate in the conversation. This also gives you a few seconds to think about what you want to say before you speak.
Don’t Forget to Smile
Incorporating a smile and some laughter into your conversation is a great way to build confidence while lessening the tension and awkwardness of a video call. You want to be professional while conveying bits of your personality. You would do the same during a face-to-face interaction, only translating your body language online. Most importantly, be yourself.
Practice Active Listening
Pay attention during the interaction and give the interviewer periodic clues that you’re still there. In addition to making your conversation more pleasant, it also reassures the other party that the technology is functioning correctly and, more importantly, that you are present. Pay close attention to where your hands are; don’t type on or play with your keyboard or items around you. Don’t engage in side conversations; give the person on the other end of the line your undivided attention.
Technical Issues
Equipment failure may happen without notice: a dropped call, loss of service, a weak connection, etc. Do not worry. If anything happens during your conversation, it is ok to “redial” and join the call again. If you are having many technical difficulties, it is a good idea to stop the call, redial and re-join or come up with an alternative to complete the conversation.
