© 2022, Paul Simms, – Wright Executive. www.
Paul Simms is an executive search recruiter with 25+ years of experience across the Australian and UK markets. He is the founder of Wright Executive Search, a specialist business within the Executive Search & Accounting Recruitment sector, and is considered one of Australia’s most respected Executive Search Firms.
If you would like to contact Paul, please email psimms@wrightexecutive.com.au or connect via LinkedIn here
If you prefer to read this - here is the transcript
Hello, there. It’s Paul from Wright Executive here.
One of the biggest changes in our daily working practices since the COVID-19 pandemic has been the usage of video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, and Skype, or Microsoft Teams for daily meetings, but interestingly, also for interviews, for job interviews. I’m often asked by job seekers and hiring managers, how it is best to prepare for an online interview with somebody you’ve never met before, which can be quite a daunting prospect. Interviews are never the easiest at the best of times, so an online interview can be even more challenging.
So here are a few tips that I’ve put together that may help you prepare for such an interview meeting, and hopefully, enable you to get the best out of that interview.
First of all, whichever the platform is, whether it’s Zoom, or Microsoft Teams, or Skype, or any of the many others that are out there, make sure that that software that you have on your laptop, or your phone, or your desktop is properly updated. You’ve checked there’s no further software updates, and that it works properly. Test it with your family, your friends. Do a practice call just to make sure it works. There’s nothing more awkward or embarrassing in an online interview when the software doesn’t work, and it will let you down at the worst possible times. So test it.
Check your internet connection. Make sure the internet is working, your bill is paid and it’s all working as it should do. Many of these applications will have a blurred or virtual background screen that you can change so that you can hide anything that’s going on behind you. But perhaps more importantly, make sure you’re in a private quiet room where you can close the door, you’re gonna have no distractions from family or friends or the TV or the cat or the dog, etc. So yes, make sure you’re in a quiet private room, shut the door, and turn your phone off. Don’t put it on mute, because even when it’s on mute, it can buzz away, and it can be a distraction. So turn the phone off completely, and put yourself in an environment where it’s nice and quiet.
Dress appropriately. Of course, you know, read the sort of the environment, whatever type of interview you’re going for, make sure you’re dressing appropriately for that. If you need to put a tie or a suit on, please do so. Make sure you research your interviewers, find out who they are, what do they do within the business? What is their role and what will their role be in relation to the position you’re being interviewed for?
And ask lots of questions. Of course, questions are always important in any kind of interview. But the obvious situation you can ask about is the environment because you can’t see the environment firsthand. So ask about the office. Where is it? How many people do they have? You know, what is it like? What’s the culture? What is it that the business offers to its people to engage them? And so, you know, by doing that, you’ll get a much stronger sense of who the organization is, who your interviewers are, but also at the same time, you’re giving a much more clear and positive reflection of who you are, giving you the best opportunity to succeed with the interview.
I hope that’s been useful. If there’s any further information I can provide you or you have any other questions, please reach out to me at www.wrightexecutive.com.au
Many thanks. Talk to you soon. Bye now.
