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INTERVIEW PREP

ARE YOU READY FOR

YOUR VIDEO INTERVIEW

We have the know-how you need.

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In light of the current global situation with COVID-19, companies have transitioned to remote hiring processes.

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We have prepared our favourite tips, tricks, and best practices for video interviews to support you during this time.

Your Pre-Interview Homework:

Questions To Ask Yourself

  1. How you will know if this is the right opportunity for you?
     

  2. What do you need to know in order to evaluate this opportunity?
     

  3. About your accomplishments: be ready to talk about the strategy, implementation, and development you participated in.

About You and Your Experience:

  • List your accomplishments/achievements and think about the strategy, implementation, and development behind them and the process used to bring about these results. Be ready with examples, and with data where it is relevant.
     

  • Look through the lens of the prospective boss – what are the most important qualities for the position they are hiring for?
     

  • What are the three most important things that the interviewer should take away from the meeting?

About the Company and Interviewers:

  • Find out as much as you can about the company, their current situation and plans for the future.
     

    • Resources include: Crunchbase, Press Releases, other jobs they have posted, YouTube, LinkedIn Company pages, etc
       

  • Research your interviewers - this isn’t creepy, it’s expected!
     

  • LinkedIn profiles, Twitter feeds - anything that is public could be useful.
     

  • If you don’t know specifically who you are meeting, find out

Questions to Consider:

  • How was success measured in your last roles? How did you measure up?
     

  • Did you help to increase sales, productivity, or efficiency? How? (Percentage or dollar contribution)
     

  • Did you institute any new systems or changes? What was the situation and what was the result?
     

  • Were you ever promoted? Why and what was the result?
     

  • Did you ever undertake a project that was not part of your responsibility because you liked the problem or were looking to learn?
     

  • Were you given significant salary increases or raises?
     

  • Did you mentor, train or manage anyone? What positive feedback did you receive from your reports or trainees?
     

  • Did you help to establish any goals or objectives for your team or company? How did you define these and/or build the supporting strategy? What were the results?
     

  • Did you change the nature or scope of your job? Why and how?

Day Of Reminders:

Appearances aren’t everything - but they do matter.

 

Impressions are made in the first few seconds, so lead with the impression that you are confident, and someone who they can imagine in the role. Perhaps that means that you are presentable enough to be in front of customers, or polished enough to be accepted as an expert and leader.

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Remember, you shouldn't stress if something unexpected happens - someone walking into the frame or a dog barking. We are all human and demonstrating how you can smile and roll with a little obstacle is not a bad thing.

YOUR ATTIRE

Clothes should be freshly laundered and well pressed.

Don't be afraid to show some personality!

 

The most important aspect is to be confident and comfortable.

 

 

HAIR & NAILS

Fingernails should be short, clean, and freshly manicured if possible.

 

Hair should be well-groomed.

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Even though this is a video, be sure to be presentable - even if only from the waist up

AVOID DISTRACTIONS

Put your phone on silent to prevent disruptions during the interview.

 

Keep your phone out of sight to limit distractions.

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Close other tabs and turn off notifications that might pop up on your laptop.

BACKDROP

Your backdrop should be clean and professional.

 

Ensure you have good lighting so your interviewer can see you without difficulty.

          Pre-Video Interview Reminders:

Prior to your video interview, try out the video conferencing tool you'll be using ( Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, etc.) to become comfortable with the tool.

 

Test out your equipment beforehand to ensure your audio and video are working.

Use headphones during your video interview to minimize distractions.
 

Find a quiet space for your video interview so there is no difficulty hearing questions and answers.
 

Be on time for your interview. No need to join early as the virtual interview room might not be open without the host.

During the Video Interview

Balance

Finding a natural conversation flow during a video interview may seem difficult. Try to maintain a 50/50 balance between talking and listening.  

Presence

Maintain good posture and eye contact with your interviewer by looking at the camera.

 

Smile and show that you are interested - even if you’re nervous.

Clarify

Reframe open-ended questions and clarify confusing or multi-angled questions.  Focus on what the interviewer would like to know about specifically.

Stay Positive

Avoid speaking negatively about your current situation, current manager or boss, or working environment.

Compensation

If you are represented by a recruiter, they have already shared your expectations. This can be further explored with your recruiter once there is an agreement on fit for the company and the role.


If you applied directly to the company, you will likely be asked about salary early in the process. State your expectations clearly and confidently, and be prepared to back up the ask with rationale if asked (your current salary, market data etc.)

Fit

​Ask how they perceive you fitting into the organization, and if there are any concerns or uncertainties that you can help them address.

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Remember that this process is also about you assessing fit, so this is a critical conversation for both parties.that that are important to the hiring decision.

Ask

Don't be afraid to ask questions relevant to COVID 19, such as how the company is handling the current remote environment, how they have prepared the business to be sustainable, how their customers have been affected.

 

Be honest and not afraid to be vulnerable, but focus on gratitude how you are aiming to stay positive 

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Clever Questions For You To Ask:

  1. How do you measure success, for the company? And more specifically for this team and role?
     

  2. What would my key responsibilities be and how are these prioritized?
     

  3. What are the biggest challenges one will face in this role?
     

  4. What are a few of the important problems or opportunities that need to be addressed in the first six months?
     

  5. Why is this company positioned to succeed and what are the biggest challenges as you look to grow and evolve?
     

  6. Why do you (the interviewer) love working here? Why did you take the job and what keeps you excited?
     

  7. What are the common characteristics of individuals who are exceptional in this company? How do you identify a great culture fit?

  8. I'm really interested in this role. What can I expect as a next step?

Good Luck!

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