Online productive meetings
A phone call or video call is the first contact with a potential employer. The conversation can be short - just a few clarifying questions and a brief story about the vacancy, then - an invitation to an effective virtual meeting in the office. But it can also be a long full-fledged interview. Recently, this option has been used more and more often. How to prepare for telephone and online interviews? What features do they have?
Sound and video
When money on a mobile phone or for an Internet connection ends just before a call, this is in a sense anecdotal, but more often it is not at all funny. Especially if you miss or are late for your dream job appointment because of this.
If you do not use the communication method that you agreed on for an remote meeting (Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and so on) every day, it is better to test it in advance - on the eve of the call and another 15 minutes before it, in order to have time to fix problems if they will. Check your microphone and camera. By the way, if you were offered an online interview, then this, of course, involves video. You will not be understood if you prefer not to turn on the camera - it's like going to an interview in the office, but communicating through the door.
If you are not very familiar with the program that will be used for the call, try to understand it beforehand. This is better than trying to figure it out by typing during a call or calling for help from loved ones during a conversation.
According to an unspoken rule, the candidate calls at the appointed time, unless otherwise agreed. And this is the case when even a five-minute delay is critical (regardless of whether you call or call you). It's in your best interest to be punctual. Most online meeting programs offer a function such as a virtual waiting room, so it's not necessary to try to "arrive" for a work meeting strictly on the minute (you will not catch anyone by surprise), it is quite normal to do this 5 minutes before the start.
The surrounding environment
What will your interlocutor see behind your back if you are at home? It's not great if kitchen utensils or home "creative mess" - after all, you have a business conversation that needs a businesslike attitude. Let it be just a wall. Many popular online meeting programs have settings that allow you to set a virtual background (choose neutral rather than fantastic views) or make your real background blurry so that details are not visible.
Since you actually have an official prepare a meeting (albeit online), pajamas and other home clothes are, of course, unacceptable. By the way, this also applies to pajama pants - it’s not a fact that you will only be waist-deep in the frame all the time. What if you suddenly need to stand up unexpectedly during a call (for example, to take documents or fix the router)?
Important: the remote interview format is sometimes relaxing. It seems that there is nothing "such" if during a conversation you drink tea or coffee, smoke, have a light snack. Consider: would you do this in a working meeting? It is one thing to take a sip of water if your throat is dry, and quite another to constantly sip and chew something. By the way, even if this is not a video call, such things are perfectly audible.
Think over your answers
At a minimum, you will need your resume and job description, as well as a sheet of paper for notes. Ideally, if you make a list of questions that interest you in advance, as well as outline a plan for a story about yourself, collect a “cheat sheet” with information about the company that may come in handy during a conversation.
By the way, remote interviews are convenient just because you can make important notes for yourself and peek at the blanks less noticeably than in a personal meeting.
If your profession is one of those that require a portfolio, be prepared to send examples of the work that will be discussed in the meeting chat. At least remember in advance in which folder you have these files so as not to waste time searching during a conversation. It is also convenient to use the function of sharing your screen with the interlocutor (it is available in almost all programs for virtual business meetings) to show, for example, a presentation.
This rule applies to any interview format. You will probably be asked to briefly describe yourself, your last job, what you were or are responsible for there, what you have achieved, the reasons for leaving there and will be asked about salary expectations and other wishes for work. There are typical questions that are most often asked in interviews.
If you take at least a little time to prepare for the meeting, you will feel more confident.
Comfort
Of course, this is always important. But with a remote conversation - especially. Even if you're using video, it doesn't have the same face-to-face effect (not to mention that the picture may lag behind the sound). You are in a situation where your voice creates an impression of you - the tone in which you communicate with the interlocutor is of great importance. And a careful choice of expressions.
There are studies that show that the first impression of a person is made up of 55% of non-verbal communication (body language and appearance), 38% of voice and 7% of words. But in the case of communication on the phone, the impression of you is formed by your voice (70%) and the words that you pronounce (30%).
Try to speak in a friendly tone, clearly and not too quietly. Pause periodically and ask if you can hear well. Or just let the interviewer react during the pause. Pay attention, the image of the interlocutor is not “hanging”. There are unpleasant situations - when it seems that the interlocutor has been silent for a long time, because he is delighted with your eloquence, but in fact you have been talking into the void for several minutes, because the connection has disappeared.
Smile. Even if your interlocutor does not see you, a smile is always felt in your voice. And this is one of the easiest ways to win over the interviewer.
At the end of the conversation, thank your interviewer with a private message. This is an elementary rule of good taste, but not everyone adheres to it. Let it distinguish you from a dozen candidates with whom the recruiter communicates.
For some reason, few of the applicants think about this factor: even if you did not fit each other with this vacancy, this company or this recruiter may have other vacancies that are more suitable for you in the future. Leaving a good impression of yourself is a useful trait. This applies to any interview format.
The main advantage of the remote selection stage is time saving. You do not need to spend it on a round trip. If in the process of communication it becomes clear that this job is not suitable for you, it's okay. The time saved can be spent looking for the best deal.
Good luck!