Tag Archives: phone interview

How to Seamlessly Execute a Virtual Interview

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In the age of coronavirus (a.k.a. COVID-19) many companies have altered their hiring and recruiting practices. At first the changes started with limiting physical contact to help stop the spread of the virus. Handshakes moved to elbow bumps and then facial masks became a popular interview accessory. Now virtual interviews via phone and video are rapidly becoming the norm.

Not everyone is familiar with this type of interview process and though you may not need to route your commute, allow time for parking or find the perfect shoes to go with your outfit, you’ll still need to dedicate an ample amount of time preparing for your interview. Like any interview, you’ll need to understand the responsibilities of the position, make connections showcasing your experience, research the company and the hiring manager and prepare a list of questions you can ask.

For a successful virtual interview, you must be able to communicate your value well. Practice ahead of time with a faux interview. Set up your device, making certain everything that will appear in the background of your video is orderly and begin recording yourself answering typical interview questions. Next, review the recording and pay close attention to your mannerisms, eye contact and the speed of which you are speaking. Also practice alternative ways of answering questions that you may have stumbled over or taken too long answer.

Be sure to do a trial run of the conferencing software before the scheduled interview as well! Whether you’re a virtual interviewing veteran or a first timer it’s a smart step to take to eliminate technical hiccups. Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting and Facetime are the most common video conferencing platforms used by our clients today. For most of these platforms, you’ll receive an email from our team with a link that will allow you to join the meeting. Test this link ahead of time and you’ll be prompted to download any necessary software to run the meeting when it’s time. For a phone screen or Facetime, be sure you are clear on if you will be initiating the call or if they will. Most managers are flexible to conduct phone screens in the absence of self-facing camera technology that is prevalent on phones, tablets and computers today.

Before you start your virtual interview make sure your device is sufficiently charged and find a quiet area. Separate yourself from pets, children or roommates who may create noise or distractions and silence your devices and computer notifications. Join the meeting ahead of time and don’t let technology get the best of you – make sure you let your personality shine through. Engage with the interviewer, be it by smiling or nodding it’s important to make a connection. You may need to be a little more animated to show your enthusiasm.  If you are having a phone interview and do not have the luxury of conveying your excitement visually through body language, get up out of your seat and smile through the phone. Think positive thoughts and let your confidence permeate the line.

While virtual interviews can be a substantial switch from what you (and the hiring manager) are used to, it’s currently one of the few effective ways to move candidates through the hiring process while respecting current health and safety concerns. Following these tips will allow you to execute your interview well while not only answering why you’re are the man for the job, but also showing your agility, flexibility and empathy towards our current situation.

Resources:

  1. How to join a Skype meeting using a link
  2. How to join a Zoom meeting
  3. How to join a GoToMeeting meeting

Phone Interview Tips for Candidates

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When you work with a recruiting agency, a critical part of landing a job somewhere is the phone interview. Your dedicated recruiter will work hard to find you great job opportunities wherever you want to go and will represent you well to potential employers. But, the phone interview is your first chance to talk directly with an employer. Thus, it is incredibly important that you are able to make a good first impression over the phone and convey your skills and interests clearly.

Of course, it is only natural to feel some pressure and nerves during a phone interview. But don’t worry — we are here to help you feel relaxed, confident, and prepared when talking to a potential employer for the first time over the phone. Here are some tips so you can ace your next phone interview.

  • Eliminate outside noises and distractions.

    The quickest way to tank a phone interview is to have a communication breakdown. That means don’t plan on having the call in a noisy coffee shop or outside by a busy street. You should be able to hear the employer clearly, and you definitely want them to hear you.

  • Study up on the company.

    An interviewer can always tell how interested you are in the job offering. If you haven’t put any effort into researching the company, it will come back to bite you. When talking about your experience and skills, try to connect them concretely to how they will serve you well at the exact job you are interviewing for.

  • Pull up your resume, cover letter, and the job description.

    The interviewer will certainly have these in front of them when asking you questions, and you don’t want to have to ask them what is on your own resume. Plus, this can help you focus your thoughts and jog your memory to help you give better answers.

  • Give focused, tight answers at a relaxed speed.

    A phone interview is typically not a long one. It is meant mostly to screen out candidates who are a bad fit. So, you don’t need to tell your whole life story — get to the point and answer the questions directly. This doesn’t mean you should cram in information by talking fast, either. Slower is better, especially over the phone.

  • Think about your answers to common questions ahead of time.

    Common questions like “What are you looking for in a job?” or “Why do you want to work for us?” shouldn’t trip you up. You should expect them and have confident answers already prepared so you can put your best foot forward.

  • Ask thoughtful questions.

    It is a big red flag if you don’t have any questions at the end of your interview. There’s no way you already know everything there is to know about the position, so if you don’t ask anything, your interviewer will think you aren’t seriously interested. Ask about day-to-day questions to show that you are genuinely considering what it would be like to work there.

If you are looking for a job anywhere in the health care industry, our team of recruiters would love to help you. HealthCare Support has positions ranging from administrative to executive and works in every state throughout the nation. Our team will assist with your resume, interview prep and onboarding as well as anything you may need help with throughout your assignment. To start your next health care job search with view our Current Openings on our website. If you do not see what you’re looking for, Join Our Talent Network to stay informed when one becomes available.