Hi everyone,
Application season is here and you are ready to get started. It’s time to get moving on these applications! You already know that there is a first-come, first-served advantage – the earlier you submit your applications, the higher chance you have of getting selected for interview. Most companies now require you to record answers to screen-based questions via the HireVue system (or similar).
At Harrison Careers, we spent a lot of time prepping our clients for video interviews, so here’s some advice to help you pass these daunting interviews:
Practice Makes Perfect
We have helped countless clients prepare effective video interviews. One thing is very clear indeed – you improve with practice. Your first set of video recordings is generally pretty poor, the second set is better, and it is only in your third set of recordings that you reveal your potential. So my message here is definitely do not submit your first or second versions!
Practice these video interviews now before you have to do one for real.
Essential Questions
There are several questions that you can prepare to answer, for example:
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- Why you want to work in this business area
- Describe a time when you were a team player
- Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership
- Describe a time when you came up with an innovative solution.
- Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation
- Talk a bit about you and your background
Important Tips for Success
Introduce yourself briefly at the start of every single video (very few candidates do this – but they should!).
Don’t forget to set the camera at eye level so you are not looking up or down at the camera. Smile!!
Consider sticking a piece of paper over the screen so that you are forced to look directly into the camera and not at yourself on the screen. An added bonus, you can have notes or prompts on this paper to help you remember what you want to say.
Remember – good lighting!
Dress Smartly! Proper business attire looks more impressive.
Remember the three-dimensional aspect – don’t be flat! Talk with emotion, raise and lower your voice accordingly to make your point, and use your hands to show passion and animation!
Watch yourself and you will quickly see what you have to improve.
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