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The COVID-19 situation does not lend itself easily to thoughts of the future - the safety of ourselves and loved ones, of course, takes precedence over any professional ambitions we might hope to realise in time. It does, however, mean that many of us now have a lot of time to spend at home, so, why not optimise the use of that time to prepare yourself to take on new professional challenges?

From a candidate perspective the period in which we begin to see the green shoots of recovery will see a huge influx of talent hitting the market as HR professionals look to make up for lost time and supercharge a new job search, those who used this downtime effectively, will be ahead of the curve!

Whilst the following tips are unlikely new to most of you, you’d be shocked at how many people forget these job search basics! It’s always good practice to brush up and consider how they can be applied to your current situation. Remember the mantra – prior preparation prevents poor performance. 

Doing these checks ahead of time allows you to avoid any hiccups you may encounter and ensure everything is working before the interview begins.

Tips for Employers

As an employer, it is likely you are already familiar with video interviewing. Whilst the following tips may seem self-evident, we still see many of our clients forget them, so we are covering all bases to ensure you’re able to make the most of video interviews.

1. Make sure your video interviews are consistent

Prepare a list of standard questions to ask (just as you would for an in-person interview) so that you’re able to accurately compare candidates.

2. Check if this is the candidate’s first live video interview

Whilst online interviewing is becoming commonplace in the industry, this might be the first time for your particular candidate/s. If it is, you can allay any worries by briefly describing the process and giving them an idea of what to expect. This not only ensures a positive candidate experience but gives them the greatest chance of showcasing their best selves in the interview. 

3. Consider your tech

Although Skype was once the most commonly used software, there are many other suitable options you could use, including Facetime, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Some can even be merged into your existing office systems. If you have the time, it might be worth investigating what is available and best suited to your organisation. 

4. Do a pre-recorded ‘tester’

Once you have filmed your pre-recorded interview, do a practise run. This will assist you in locating any information gaps, missing steps or repeated processes, ensuring a smoother candidate experience. 

Tips for Jobseekers

Just as ‘ahead of the curve’ employers will take the time to really understand video interviews, candidates should too.

These bite-sized, 30-minute podcasts are the perfect way to occupy your lunch break. With 300 episodes already available for download, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Each episode features a guest speaker discussing everything from HR technology to organisational culture and strategic HR – that’s 300 experienced HR professionals to learn from!

We advise candidates to dress as they would for an in-person interview, whilst also considering colour choice (darker or block colours often work better, as lighter tones can make you look washed out and busy patterns can be distracting)

5. Do a few practise runs

Try recording yourself performing a mock interview to practise your eye contact, pick up on any unconscious habits you may have and adjust behaviours that may be perceived as over-the-top on camera, such as excessive hand gestures.

6. Consider video delays when conversing

After replying to a question and when the interviewer has finished speaking, consciously pause to allow for any video delays and ensure you are able to communicate clearly.