It’s not a well-kept secret. Video interviews are currently – and will continue to be – highly utilized by companies as a way to meet and vet future employees.
In a survey conducted by Gartner HR, 86% of employers are using video conferencing tools to conduct interviews since the beginning of the pandemic. According to LinkedIn, 71% of recruiters who participated in their “Future of Recruiting” survey said that they will retain virtual hiring practices after the pandemic, which include a hybrid of video and in-person interviews.
With this new medium being considered the new standard, what is the optimum way for mechanical, electrical and manufacturing engineers to conduct video interviews?
1) GET FAMILIAR WITH VIDEO CONFERENCING SYSTEMS
- Learn how to use the most popular video conferencing tools: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meets and GoToMeeting.
- Make sure to configure and test the webcam, mic and audio in advance.
- Angle the webcam to frame your face to the middle of the screen. Have your eyes lined up to the webcam so the interviewer can see you’re speaking to them directly.
Most of these video conferencing tools are either free for individual users or have a free trial so download them ahead of time to ensure your device is compatible with the software the interviewer will use.
2) BE READY TO PRESENT YOUR WORK
- There are also very useful tools within those video conferencing software such as screen sharing and whiteboard apps. These could give you the ability to present technical drawings, CAD models, PCB schematics…etc. “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
- Or, create a digital version of your portfolio and share the link in advance with the interviewer. During the video call, you can invite them to view your portfolio and walk them through each product.
3) ENHANCE YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Unlike in-person interviews, video interviews are fully dependent on the candidate’s ability to set the surrounding that will be seen by the future employer.
- Make sure that the interview takes place in a location that is isolated from noise and is decluttered.
- Having accolades in the background would serve as a subtle demonstration of your achievements and would be more interesting than a plain wall. If possible, have the following items visible to the interviewer:
- Framed College Diploma, Educational Certificate or technical licenses
- Academic or Professional Awards and Trophies
- Patent Plaques
- Items that convey personal interests that may be relevant to the position.
- Another option is creating a custom image that can serve as a virtual background. With Zoom and Microsoft Teams, users have the ability to use an image as a backdrop, so engineers can use this opportunity to either use specific scenery, such as an office space, or images that can convey personal interests that may enhance or facilitate the interview further (automotive, airplanes…etc.)
4) GET INTO AN “INTERVIEW MINDSET”
The casual, friendly environment of your home office can lull you into a too informal state of mind – which may take you off of your game. Wake yourself up by preparing as if you are going to walk into the interviewer’s office and be prepared for anything. Starting with:
- Dress for success – this includes the entire outfit (not just from the waist up). Dressing professionally will help you get into a professional mindset – you’ll be ready for anything.
- As mentioned above, configure your devices in advance and prepare for technical issues that might come up. This will ensure that the video call is spent going over your qualifications and not on fixing glitches.
Our recruiting professionals can be a great resource for those who need assistance preparing for an upcoming video interview. To reach out to them or to learn about our open engineering positions, contact us today at (408)246-5945!