🎧 Smarter Career And Business Moves Podcast

How To Avoid The Biggest Interview Mistake

July 27, 2020 Season 1 Episode 12
🎧 Smarter Career And Business Moves Podcast
How To Avoid The Biggest Interview Mistake
Show Notes Transcript

The biggest mistake you can make with a virtual interview is not taking it seriously. In the past, phone interviews were used primarily for screening. 

Those days are over.

Unfortunately, many candidates fail to adequately prepare for virtual interviews. 

This is a big mistake. One that may kill their chances of moving forward.  

Today, candidates may have several virtual interviews before being invited in for an interview.  

—A brief phone screening interview with a recruiter or HR associate

—A longer phone or video interview with senior HR personnel

—A phone or video interview with the hiring manager’s assistant or someone else on the team

—A phone or video interview with the hiring manager

While these steps are a generalization, the point is that you should expect to have 2 to 3 phone or video interviews before meeting anyone in person.

Virtual interviews are more convenient for the employer. For one thing, they save busy hiring managers time. 

Most candidates would rather meet in person. They feel that they make a better impression in person. And they probably do. 

In this session you’ll learn 5 ways to improve your chances of having a successful virtual interview. 

#1 Choose a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted or overheard. Avoid anywhere on your employer’s premises. 

#2 If you’re scheduled for a phone interview make sure you are someplace where you will have good cell reception.

#3 Research the company just as you would before an in-person meeting to avoid looking like the lazy candidate. 

#4 Prepare notes and keep a copy of them and your resume nearby during your call. 

#5 Know your resume cold. Be prepared to answer questions about your claims on LinkedIn and other social media sites too.

Remember each person in the chain has the option to recommend that you move forward. Or not. When I was a recruiter, I wrote a 1 page “report” about each candidate I interviewed and submitted it to the hiring manager along with the candidate’s resume.

You’ll probably have at least 2 to 3 virtual interviews before getting a face-to-face meeting. Prepare ahead so you can make each one of them count.  

** Please note that while Skype is used as an example in this episode, there are many other video platforms used by employers. 

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Annette 1 (00:08):

Hi, welcome to the smarter career moves podcast. I'm an at Richmond executive resume writer and principal of career intelligence, resume writing and career services.

Annette (00:31):

Hi, thanks again for joining me today. Today, I want to talk to you about the biggest interview mistake that you may be making without realizing. And the mistake is this, with virtual interviews, many candidates just don't take them seriously enough. In the past phone interviews were primarily used for screening a recruiter or someone from HR called potential candidates. You get some basic information: Is the candidate still looking? Do they meet the basic qualifications? Do their salary requirements fall into the employer’s range? Just basic information. They also screen for basic communication skills to see if this person could carry on a conversation. If the candidate passed the initial screening, they were invited in for an interview, but those days are really long over. Unfortunately, many candidates don't realize this and they treat all virtual interviews like screening halls. This is a big mistake.

Annette (01:36):

One that may kill their chances of moving forward, Today, candidates may have several virtual interviews before being invited in for a face to face meeting. The first one would be of course, the screening interview with a recruiter or an HR associate. When I was working as a recruiter, I used to spend about 20 to 30 minutes talking to potential candidates about their experience, about their background, what they knew about the company, which is important when someone asks, what do you know about the company? You don't want to say nothing. And I would also gauge their enthusiasm about the company and about the position. After I got off the phone with them, I would write up a brief synopsis based on what I found, making recommendations on each candidate and sending it to the hiring manager for review. So if the candidate really showed a lot of enthusiasm for the company, I would put that in my report to the employer and send it along with the candidate's resume.

Annette (02:43):

Today they may also have a longer virtual interview with a senior HR person followed by a phone or a Skype interview with the hiring manager's assistant or someone else on the hiring team. That might be followed a phone or Skype interview with the hiring manager before having you come in for a face to face meeting. There are several reasons for this. One is virtual interviews are more convenient for the employer. First, they can conduct several interviews and a shorter amount of time. They don't need to book a conference room in advance. They can save additional time by conducting virtual interviews from their desk. You have to remember that when hiring managers are taking on new staff, hiring staff is just another task that they have to squeeze into their already busy schedule. Most candidates would rather meet in person. They feel that they make a better impression in person and they probably do, which is why it's essential to treat each phone or Skype interview just as seriously as you would a face to face meeting.

Annette (03:55):

Here are five ways that you can improve your chances of moving forward in the interview process. The first one is, choose a quiet space where you won't be interrupted or overheard. Avoid anywhere on your employer's premises. That includes your private office, the restroom, or even a well trafficked area. Like a stairwell. The day you're interviewing with recruiter will be the day that your boss decides to take the stairs instead of the elevator. The second thing is if you're scheduled for a phone interview, make sure you're someplace where you will have good cell reception, visit the location, check your service in advance. It's nearly impossible for a recruiter to conduct an interview when your voice is garbled or your phone keeps cutting in or out. If you're scheduled for a Skype interview, test your camera, your microphone, and your internet connection.

Annette (04:54):

Well before the interview, if you're using a laptop, make sure you're near an outlet or the battery's fully charged, In the absence of extenuating circumstances there’s no excuse for losing your connection. The third thing is research the company just as you would before an in person meeting, avoid being what I like to think of, or don't like to think of as the lazy candidate, those are the candidates who ask the interviewer questions they could easily have found out simply by checking the company's website or the company's LinkedIn page or their social media platforms. So do that before your interview visit the company's website, go to their career section, look at their mission statement, look, to see if there's information on anyone that you might be interviewing with. Visit the company's LinkedIn page and their social media platforms. So when the interviewer asks, if you're familiar with the company, you won't have to just mutter “no.” Interviewers expect a few thoughtful questions and comments that show you've done your research.

Annette (06:03):

So also visit the LinkedIn profiles of the people you'll be talking with, finding us things in common, like you attended the same college can help you quickly establish some rapport. The fourth thing is prepare notes and have them nearby during your call. Notes should include information about the employer and the people you'll be interviewing with and you’re prepared questions for the end of the interview. You know, when the interviewer says, “Do you have any questions?” Be sure to have your resume on hand to prompt you with dates, names, and your accomplishments. If you're being interviewed via Skype, make sure that your notes are not in front of you when you're making the call. Also make sure that the background is clear and uncluttered. Number five is know your resume cold. Be prepared to answer questions about your claims on LinkedIn and other social media sites as well.

Annette (06:59):

Everything on your resume and everything that's available online is fair game during the interview process. And let your personality shine. One of the reasons people do better during in-person interviews is because they are actually “there.” Remember to smile during virtual interviews, even if you're on the phone, studies have shown that people can hear a smile in your voice. If you're on the phone, you might want to stand up and walk around a little bit. That will help you keep up your energy. Follow up each interview with a thank you note, even if it's only the first 20 minute screening call with a recruiter. Express your interest in the job and the company and mention anything you forgot to say during the call, remember each person in the chain has the option to recommend that you move forward or not. When I was a recruiter, as I mentioned, I wrote a one page report about each candidate I interviewed and submitted it to the hiring manager, along with the candidate's resume.

Annette (08:02):

Once you reach the final stage and only a few candidates are left standing, you can focus on getting the job. Until then your primary goal in each interview should be to get the next interview, to keep moving forward in the process. You'll probably have at least two to three virtual interviews before getting a face to face meeting. Be sure you make each one of them count. I just want to note that while I've used Skype as an example, there are many other video platforms that employers are using today. If you'd like some tips on how to ace your next job interview, like how to answer the three most difficult interview questions listen to Season 1, Episode 2, How to Prepare For and Nail Your Next Job Interview. Thanks again for joining me today and good luck with your job search.

Annette (09:06):

Thank you for joining us for the smarter career moves podcast. We hope you enjoy today's show. If you did, please subscribe. Thank you. [inaudible].