topic Re: Virtual Job Interview in Community Chat

Virtual Job Interview

Jordan2 — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:47:35 GMT

I have a job interview today, I'm very nervous. Gone are the days you would fill out an application in person or call a phone number and you would be invited to come in for an in person interview. I have applied to numerous ads on Indeed and haven't had too much luck. I'll see the ad says urgently hiring, they haven't hired anyone in a month, how urgent can it be? I get I might not be suitable for the job, however I'm not even given an opportunity to interview for it. I'm not crazy about the virtual interview process, I prefer sitting in front of someone speaking face to face. The job interview isn't even what I want, it's part time and no benefits, but I feel I need to get my foot in the door.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

amyb — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:11:05 GMT

Breathe...calm yourself...list reasons why they would be lucky to have you.

But I get it totally...I have never had a virtual or phone interview...and the idea of them make me nervous for whatever reason, also. Plus I'm rusty.

My most recent gig that I loved, where I was actually working for myself, as a contract buyer/merchandiser, went away when the business was sold during Covid.

Then I decided to be "retired"...and was laying low anyway during Covid. I'd like to find another gig I love, part-time. like the last one, where I was in control of my time, or that has a schedule that works for my life. There IS a lot out there right now...hard for people to find good help.

Best of luck today, that you are calm and centered and do a good interview, no matter the outcome. You may find it's not that bad and it gets you over the hump of feeling nervous about these type interviews, especially as they are quite common now.

I find, for me...I interview best when I really want and feel suited to the job, rather than just any job.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

catter70 — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:58:20 GMT

Good luck. I can't imagine doing an interview that way, but I guess that's progress. The best to you.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

KailaS — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:01:52 GMT

Good luck!

Re: Virtual Job Interview

WenGirl42 — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:35:08 GMT

Good luck @Jordan2 !

I did a ton of virtual interviews last year as a candidate, and this year as the hiring manager. I actually love them.

From the candidate perspective...I was already nervous of course, and having the interviews virtual removed any stress about finding the location/person entirely, and made attire selection easier. Not that I didn't look professional and great! But I didn't have to worry about things like shoes/bag and all the "details". I made myself comfortable and relaxed in my home office. I also taped a list of my accomplishments and anything I wanted to be sure to mention or highlight for each interview on the wall behind my camera, so I could refer to it without the interviewer knowing. I didn't need to (should have trusted myself and my memory more ), but having it there gave me added confidence. Like with everything else, there are some benefits to having things be virtual, so for me the trick has been finding those benefits and really leaning into them.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

CatsyCline — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:44:34 GMT

Good Luck. it's hard not to be nervous. for me a virtual is easier than phone

one time a recruiter called as i was about to board a plane to Florida for Daytona Beach! he wanted to set up a Skype interview. i said i'm not sure i can get online at the beach house - no internet. he said well, are you serious about this job - this is a great position for you - but i need an answer quick! see if you can line something up!

i had my laptop with me and after a few dead ends was able to get to a fast food place using wifi for a Skype interview, the next day. i had nerves of course. but i got the in-person interview the following week and was hired.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

gizmogal — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 22:33:28 GMT

I think you should look at a virtual interview as a chance to show yourself as prepared and confident. You're in your own environment and not someone's office. You actually are face to face as you feel is important, but you are not in person. The interviewer and you can see each other.

If you have a Zoom or FaceTiime with a friend or relative or any favorite child do you think of it as a visit, a way to be yourself and communicate and share ? Do you cherish the time spent and feel it is authentic?

That's how you approach a virtual interview. Obviously, you skip the affection and be mindful of tasteful humor. But you will see facial expressions and gestures and be showing your own. If all equipment is working right, you will look professional and be heard with your responses to interview questions. It is face to face and it is very effective for you to come across as composed and at ease with technology. There's no commute to the interview so you don't get caught in traffic. You're already inside so it doesn't matter if it rains--your interview clothes stay dry.

Make a list of questions you have about the job. Remember to smile. Be aware of whatever is behind you that the camera will see, keep it orderly and neutral. Be sure to say thanks for the opportunity. Even if you don't get the job or don't want the job, you now will have more interview experience.

If you think negative and nervous you'll show that. Think positive and confident. You don't need to be in an office to see and talk to someone about a job. You'll feel the same nervousness as any interview, but it's not any different than any other visit done with a camera and a computer connection. You got this.

Good luck.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

godi — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:16:57 GMT

Be yourself and answer honestly. Good luck.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

lady macbitch — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:17:14 GMT

i've had many virtual job interviews in the past 18 months. i greatly prefer virtual interviews to in-person ones. i feel like you get judged way less for things like body language, etc. i have a list of common job interview questions on my screen that i refer to in case the interviewer asks me something i didn't prepare for - definitely not something that you can do with in-person interviews!

Re: Virtual Job Interview

meallen616 — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:45:09 GMT

@Jordan2,

Re: Virtual Job Interview

CrazyDaisy — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:45:20 GMT

I also prefer in person interviews. I think you can get a better feel for the company and the people when you are in person. I actually accepted a position many years ago that I didn't think I wanted because the receptionist was so pleasent....was there over 20 years.

The only tip I can give you for virtual interviews is to make sure the computer camera is high enough so you can t look straight into it. Had an interview once where the guy had the camera so low that I was looking up his nose....not a pretty sight.

Good luck

Re: Virtual Job Interview

Jordan2 — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:52:43 GMT

Thank you all for your good wishes and advice. I just have to be myself and do the best I can. If I don't get it, it wasn't meant to be, hopefully there will be something better down the road.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

skatting44 — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 18:36:12 GMT

Be positive, give examples of your Leadership experience , team work ethic and identify what skills/tallents you can bring to their business .

Never let them see you sweat.

Good Luck

Re: Virtual Job Interview

Jordan2 — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:21:19 GMT

So maybe this is a dumb question but here goes. I have a Chromebook that freezes up at times, you never know when, and you then have to wait for the battery to drain. I have an iPad I could use and I wonder what position is best to set it up for the interview? The email also has a phone number so I could do it that way, but would they think less of me just doing an audio interview?

Re: Virtual Job Interview

CrazyDaisy — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:32:48 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
So maybe this is a dumb question but here goes. I have a Chromebook that freezes up at times, you never know when, and you then have to wait for the battery to drain. I have an iPad I could use and I wonder what position is best to set it up for the interview? The email also has a phone number so I could do it that way, but would they think less of me just doing an audio interview?

You will want a reliable connection so I would go with the audio interview.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

amyb — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:35:14 GMT

@godi wrote:
Be yourself and answer honestly. Good luck.

@godi Simply put and always great advice!

I've sometimes nailed things by remembering to do that, and other times forgotten. It's never worked well when I was trying to "be something" I was not...it's just not a skill of mine to bs like that. And then....I always remind myself, especially at this time in my life....I don't want to work somewhere I have to "morph" into something I'm not, anymore than that would work well in a relationship for long! And I wouldn't be happy.

My last work was with people I liked working with, we were "kindred spirits" both on the job and off, I was allowed to create my own niche, and I loved what I was doing...it played to my natural personality and skills. I feel it's hard to recreate now because it was a set of circumstances that just fell together, I'm not sure many boutiques need or look to fill that niche, but this woman was looking for it...and she saw me on the job somewhere else, we became friends. Who knows maybe it could work somewhere again...I have not tried yet.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

ECBG — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:35:27 GMT

So sorry but you have probably interviewed before and will come through with shinning colors.

I left Belk because a manager had the audacity to threaten me over a toxic coworker. I was right in the middle of these changes and gave up a full time job with benefits (as a retired teacher I was already covered).

It appears part time with no benefits has been one of the off shoot results of the Affordable Care act. Companies took one look and pulled back benefits unless you were full time. Benefits cost the company money and lessens their profit. (My coworkers at the time told me it would happen.).

In these days part time with benefits may not even exist any more.

Full time without managing is very rare.

I'm so sorry.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

CatsyCline — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:49:35 GMT

Part time/No Bennies employment has existed way longer than the ACA.

@Jordan2 do what makes you feel most comfortable and do not make excuses for audio v. virtual.

One suggestion is to "smile" more when you are talking on the phone. Sounds strange but in a phone conversation the party on the other end of the line can "hear" your smile.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

chrystaltree — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:50:09 GMT

Try not to show that you don't want the job. That should be step 1. Stop focusing on you don't like about hiring practices and focus on doing well during the interview. You sent in a resume so you must meet some of the criteria. Dress nicely, from the waist up and sell yourself. But be honest about your skills.

Re: Virtual Job Interview

Jordan2 — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 01:08:29 GMT

So, I had my interview this afternoon. I worked myself up, honestly it wasn't that bad, the woman who interviewed me was very nice. I don't know if I'll get the job but I'm going with the attitude every interview is a good learning experience for me.