Interviewing by Video Conference

With last year’s pandemic and the workforce still commonly remote, there is a chance you’ll do some interviews via video conferencing solution like Zoom or GotoMeeting.  Interviews tend to be somewhat stressful for job seekers and the idea of doing one virtually may have you even more worried. 

At BrightHire, we’re well versed in virtual interviews and have the following tips for you to help you prepare.

Make sure you have a good webcam

If your laptop or desktop is relatively new, the quality of your camera shouldn’t be an issue. If you’ve noticed on video conferences that the image that appears onscreen is not clear and crisp, then you should invest in a better webcam. The quality of the picture makes a big difference for the person on the other side of the screen. If they can see you clearly, they’re more likely to feel like they can connect with you. And if you get the job, the nominal cost will be worth every penny.

Wear something that makes you feel confident

Even though you’re taking the interview remotely, you should still dress like you were attending the interview in person. Wear something that makes you feel like the best version of yourself. You’ll want to be sure that what you choose to wear shows your professionalism and competence.

Get the camera angle right

You should be positioned in the middle of the screen, so you will want to ensure that your camera is positioned properly. Prop your laptop on a stack of books or a stand so that what you look into the camera, it is at eye level.  This will put you eye to eye with the interviewer to ensure you are not looking down on them. This way you'll be able to make eye contact that is as natural as in person.

Use good lighting

Most webcams don’t pick up great images without the right lighting. Natural lighting typically gives great results, so if you can do your interview in front of a window, that’s the best. If you can’t, you’ll need to provide lighting with a lamp or one of those selfie lights. Choose a soft light and place it in front of you at a 45-degree angle to light your whole face without glare in your eyes.

Consider sound quality

Most built-in microphones aren’t that great. And if you’re at home with kids or dogs, there’s a risk of other sounds being picked up by your computer mic. A very simple headset gives the listener only the sound of your voice, loud and clear without the other sounds of your environment.

Look at the camera

When on video conferences, it is easy to get distracted by your own image on the screen.  For the sake of interviewing, you’ll want to maintain focus and eye contact on the interviewer the entire time.  That means looking right at the camera, which some people find difficult.  If that feels uncomfortable to you, you can try putting a cute photo of something you like right near the camera. That way, if you look away, it’s only nearby and it is something that makes browsing the web or doing something else on your computer.

Unsure if you’ve got it right? Ask a friend or relative to get on a videoconference with you to practice.

Smile!!!

Building rapport can be more challenging over video conferences.  And, certainly reading body language is impaired.  To combat this, you’ll want to be sure to give clear positive signals by wany of a smile.  That said, you don’t want a cheesy grin the entire meeting because that might seem disingenuous, but you do want to make sure that every once in a while, you smile a genuine smile.

Check your Wi-Fi signal

A poor signal can completely derail your interview, interrupt the flow, and leave you feeling flustered. Test the quality of your Wi-Fi connection frequently in the days leading up to your interview and troubleshoot any problems that arise.

So there you have it; 10 ways to improve your video interview performance. If you focus on giving your interviewer a good experience, you'll be able to better connect with them and improve your chances of getting the job!

When you work with BrightHire to find your next career move, we will give you tips like these and more to help you put your best foot forward in the interview process.  Submit your resume today!

6 Resume Writing Tips to Help You Land a Job

Resumes help potential employers learn more about applicants and whether they might be a good fit and are important to get right. Resumes, as a rule, should be easy to read or scan, summarize your accomplishments and skills, and highlight relevant experience. 

Commonly used resume styles often appear as templates in word processing applications.  The style you pick should reflect your unique education, experience and relevant skills. For example a person with creative skills might pick a more artistic template. Depending on your skill set, you might consider having multiple versions of your resume that are tailored to the different kinds of jobs you might apply for. 

Below are some handy tips to help you put your best resume forward.

1. Decide whether you need a unique resume for different jobs

Before submitting an application, you should ask yourself if you have made it easy for your employer to see that you’re a good fit for the role. If you’re applying for a job that has unique requirements, you may need a different version of your resume to outline your fit to these unique qualifications. 

2. Look for keywords in the job postings

When you’re preparing to write a resume, you should read the job postings that interest you to see the kinds of words that are commonly used. As you apply for different jobs, you should study each job description for keywords that show what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate and make sure they are in your resume where relevant.

3. Put the most important information first

Because employers likely have many resumes to read, they will likely scan each first.  To catch their attention, you’ll want to keep your resume as brief as possible without leaving out key information.  Try to include only work experience, achievements, education and skills most relevant to the employer and job you’re applying for. You can place the more relevant information higher on your resume to draw attention to key skills and achievements.

4. Highlight achievements

Instead of listing job duties under the experience section, pick your most important achievements in each role you’ve held. Where possible, include metrics that quantify your success for that particular goal or achievement.

In addition, you can consider including a separate “Achievements” section to specifically highlight relevant achievements such as awards you’ve received from work or school, volunteerism, or other things you’ve done that may make you more appealing for the role. 

5. Only include the sections you need

When you use a resume template, you may find there are some recommended sections you do not need. For those that are new to the workforce and have not yet held a professional position, you should not include the work history section and leave it empty. Doing that will just call attention to the lack of work history.  Alternative approaches might include highlighting relevant coursework, internships or relevant extracurricular activities.

6. Proofread!

Proofread, proofread, proofread!  You want to ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors as this is a reflection on your professionalism and attention to detail.  Since you’ll be close to the subject matter by writing it, it’s really helpful to put the resume in front of a fresh set of eyes.  Ask your friends or colleagues to review your resume. 

And, in addition to finding spelling or grammatical errors, an objective third party can also look at your resume as an employer might to find ways you can improve it.

Since your resume is often the first step to getting an interview with an employer, making sure you have it right is critical.  Follow these steps to ensure you include the most relevant information, organize it in the right way, and carefully review it for errors and role fit. A high-quality resume is instrumental to helping you get more callbacks, interviews, and job offers.

When you work with BrightHire to find your next career move, we will give you tips like these and more to help you put your best foot forward in the interview process. Submit your resume today!

Questions to Ask About the Job

When you’re interviewing for a job, an important part of that process is the questions you ask during the interview.  After all, an interview isn’t just the hiring manager’s opportunity to see if you’re a fit, it’s also your opportunity to see if the company and job are a fit for you.  

More than that, the questions you ask give the interviewer a sense of how you think.  That said, you’ll want to go into the interview with a set of questions.  The following is a list of 8 questions you can ask about the job. By weaving these into the conversation along with other questions about the company and culture, you’ll look prepared and get a better sense if the job is a fit for you!

1. What are the skills and experiences you’re looking for in an ideal candidate?

2. Is this a new role that has been created?

3. What does a typical day look like for a person in this role?

4. Do you expect the main responsibilities for this role to change in the future?

5. What are the immediate projects that I would be working on?

6. Can you show me examples of projects I’d be working on?

7. Are their particular attributes that someone needs to have to be really successful in this position?

8. What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?

This starter list of questions will give you a good footing for a complete conversation about the role. If you have any ideas for others, we’d be glad to hear your suggestions.

When you work with BrightHire to find your next career move, we will give you tips like these and more to help you put your best foot forward in the interview process.  Submit your resume today!