The Job Interview In the Time of COVID

As meeting in close quarters in now viewed as too risky, many employers are canceling all face-to-face interviews. Large global employers, such as Google, LinkedIn, Amazon and Facebook, for example, have completely eliminated in-person job interviews for the foreseeable future to protect both employers and candidates. Upcoming college graduates are also greatly impacted, as demonstrated by accounting firm PwC, which is using videoconferencing for more than one thousand new graduate interviews, according to topinterview.com.

”If you are faced with pivoting to a video interview, there are many resources available to help you succeed while social distancing and other safety measures are in place,” advises Nancy Halverson, SVP Global Operations. “The video interview is quite different from the face-to-face interview and can be unnerving to those who are new to it so preparation is key.”

Here are two sites that offer tips to help you perform at the top of your game:

How to Prepare for a Skype Interview This guide provides tips on how to make sure your technology won’t let you down, on ensuring that your location is private, and on how to make good eye contact and express your feelings in front of the camera

How to Boost Your Likability in Video and Phone Interviews This article coaches you through a variety of strategies to ensure you’re making just as strong of an impression on a video screen as you might in real life and demonstrating your enthusiasm for the job.

“Do your homework just as you would for any other interview,” says Halverson, “Rehearse your responses to key interview questions and prepare your own questions for the interviewer. Remember that dressing appropriately is no less important for a remote interview than it is for an in-person interview. And take a good look at your surroundings to be sure they are tidy and there’s nothing on view that could be embarrassing.”

Follow up with a “thank you” email after the interview confirming your interest in the position. “Be patient if a recruiter or hiring manager is taking longer than usual to get back to you. Hiring typically requires approval from a number of different people,” cautions Halverson. “Without the ability for everyone to physically be in one room to provide feedback and collectively agree, your interviewers may need more time than usual to make a decision.”