The Realities of Todays Job Market
Finding the right Job online in today’s global economy with a good company can be stressful, difficult to manage, time consuming and requires a lot of patience. You hope you can find a good job where you live or can work remote without having the many difficulties and concerns of relocating yourself or your family. Creating a powerful resume that outlines all your work history, accomplishments, skills and talents is challenging, but is the key to your sucess and your next career path. You apply for many job opportunities and hope for that perfect job position, and your dream company to work for to present itself. Then you receive that Email or get that first phone call that begins the rigerous interview process that potentilay leads to new employment a new chapter a new position that further defines and changes your life.
Be Prepared for each Process of the Interview
The interview process takes time and involves multiple people and can take several weeks or longer. The process may start with someone who will qualify you for the job position in HR from the company you applied to. This person wants to see if your a good fit, usualy the process is usually 10-15 min or less with a few simple questions. If you pass this interview then several more will likely be scheduled with an HR manager or others in the company or it may be a job recruiter who is hiring for a company and the specific position, so they might be your first contact.
Your Resume, have it Available
Have a hard copy of your current resume that was submitted for the position you are applying for. You will need to have this availble to reference any questions that may come up during the conversation process related to your work experience, skills, background, etc.. Some people have multiple versions of there resumes depending on the different postions they may apply for, so have the correct one for the correct interview.
Interview Material Reference Sheet, Company info Document
Create a computer printed document from word or google docs, not hand written so you can clearly read all the details, use a large readable font, this will be your interview material reference sheet. This sheet can be created and used individually and seperately, related to all the information and details for each company your applying to, that should include the following.
- Research online and outline items, critical details and information about the company like how long they have been in business, how many employess they have, are they U.S based or international, their mission statement, etc..
- Check social websites for relevant employees related to the position your’e applying for. You can even search the company for the person that is interviewing you to learn more about them. Look at their website and view all the different products, services they offer and study what exactly they do, the customers and markets they serve.
- Circle or highlight any relevant or important information that is helpful to you, so you can easily see it during the interview process for discussion.
- Outline relevant phrases and industry buzz words with a yellow marker so you can use these during your Q&A portion of the interview.
- You’ll want to have answers prepared for some of the more common interview questions and examples in case they ask for specific details.
(Video Interview) Setting up your Work Space
- Look professional in physical apperarence and dress attire this will be your first impression.
- Choose the most professional area of your home for the interview, you can stage it just for the interview, make sure the backgroud environment of what your Camera see’s is clean neat and organized and uncluttered. . Do not use any virtual backgrounds, make sure the room your in is not to dark and is well lit and your physically abled to be positioned in the center of the image shown on your computer display.
- Make sure any electronic devices such as cell phones, land line phones are silenced or turned off.
- Make sure you have taken a restroom break prior to the interview. Some interviews can run up to 30 min to 1 hour.
- Log on early and do a Test Run with your Computer. make sure to check your internet connectivity a wired connection is always better then Wi-Fi. Make sure your audio and video camera capabilities are working properly. Confirm your audio is not muted going into the start of the interview.
- Be aware that from the moment you log in and until the moment you close the screen, you need to assume they can hear and see everything.
Important tips!
- Be punctual for your online interview.
- Stay focused and look at your webcam, make eye contact with the other person as much as possible unless you need to look at your notes or your relevant interview material reference sheet , this is important since this is not an in person interview.
- Listen carefully, it is easy to miss something relevant or important during an interview. When required, speak your responses Slowly and Clearly
- Try not to let any of your note-taking interfere with the flow and process of the interview.
- Try and relax, you want to come across as genuine and authentic during an interview as possible. This is your only opportunity to express yourself off of paper. Your resume already got you this far, now you get to show who you are as an individual.
- Pay Attention to Body Language: your body language in a video interview can convey a lot of things about who you are as a person and a potential employee. Present a positive image by ensuring that you’re sitting up straight with good posture. Have both feet on the ground, and avoid slouching. Always try to keep your hands from view to avoid distracting gesturing or fiddling around.
- Write down up to 5 questions you want to ask at the emd of the interview. asking questions show you would be an engaged and valuable member of the team, and that your ready to get to work as soon as you are hired.
- Before the interview is over, ask when they will likely get back to you. If they don’t get back to you within the time frame discussed, try waiting 1 or two more days before reaching out.
- Always follow up with a brief Thank You Email a few days after the interview. Reaffirm how interested you are in the position and how much you appreciated their time.
Lastly….know you did your best, stay positive and Good Luck!