COVID-19 has changed the way people interact with each other. Most companies have now implemented remote work among its employees. Online interviews have been the primary resolution to bridge the gap between social distancing and continuous hiring across the globe.
Although some industries have been disrupted by the virus, companies are still actively hiring. However, if you’re a job seeker, impressing your interviewers may be quite challenging these days. Since most hiring teams are working remotely and resorting to video calls for interviews. So how do you stand out in the time of COVID-19 and social distancing? How do you impress your interviewers when what’s standing between you and your next job is your interviewer through a computer screen?
Your resume is still your ultimate ticket to an interview – and will always be
Given the current economic climate, competition is a lot fiercer than ever. Before you could impress your interviewer remotely, you need to secure that remote interview first. If you don’t polish your resume to the job you’re applying for, chances are the recruiter might move on. Did you:
- Include quantitative achievements that highlight your actual successes at work?
- Use action words that explain how you accomplished your tasks?
- Read the job description and tailor your resume based on this?
A balance of patience and proactivity goes a long way
With the current circumstances, it may take time for hiring teams to respond back to applicants. But don’t let this discourage you from applying. Some industries may be battling with hiring freezes and slowdowns but in every crisis lies an opportunity. There are a lot of other companies and industries that are actively looking to expand their teams. Be one of the few people who know when to seize a good opportunity during a crisis.
If you are faced with an interview roadblock, don’t be afraid to express your availability for a remote interview when applying or following up when you receive a lack of replies after the interview. By doing this, you demonstrate your proactivity and eagerness to be part of their company. However, it’s also critical that you acknowledge and understand the special circumstances that may be causing the delays. The key is finding the balance between patience and proactivity. Following up after a day is definitely too soon but asking for an update after a week or so seems about reasonable. After your remote interview, sending a follow-up email or adding the interviewer on LinkedIn will make you more memorable. Demanding emails, on the other hand, will make you notoriously memorable.
If you do need to send more than one email, how do you follow-up without coming across as demanding? Simple: offer anything valuable. This could be something as subtle as sharing information about a topic you discussed during the interview or something as elaborate as providing more information that could help the company solve a current problem or improve their system. They would appreciate this additional effort and will earn you a few plus points to beat your competition.
You’re only as good as your equipment
It’s sad to say this but it really does affect the outcome of your interview. People, who have innate preferences and biases, will be interviewing you and you could potentially lose their interest if:
- Your slow internet connection is preventing them from having a decent conversation with you
- Your low-quality camera (the one thing that allowed this semblance of a face-to-face interview) makes it hard for them to see your face let alone your facial expressions
- The static from your mic keeps your interviewer from hearing the detailed explanation of how you succeeded in your previous jobs
Although people will be more understanding about the unexpected glitches of technology these days, let’s face it, if the hiring manager had an interview with someone who may be as good as you but had a more seamless conversation with the aid of good equipment, unfortunately, it could cost you the job. Good equipment increases your chances of getting a better remote interview experience, which also increases your chances of impressing the interviewer.
You only have one chance to leave a good impression. Don’t let bad technology win.
Looking professional involves more than just your attire
Looking professional during a face-to-face interview is actually a lot easier compared to remote interviews. Typically, for face-to-face interviews, professionalism boils down to two controllable factors: your attire and demeanor. However, for remote interviews, there are other aspects involved. Besides attire and demeanor, there’s the equipment and hardware, and of course, there’s also the video conferencing software as well as the background you’ll be showing on the video call.
Don’t let social distancing mute your social presence
Networking and standing out among the crowd is still possible despite social distancing. Given the current hesitation for face-to-face interaction, you may find it challenging to fully showcase your expertise, personality, and style to potential employers.
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Source – Darryl Santos
