Due to the current corona pandemic, companies worldwide are increasingly using video conference platforms such as Skype or GoToMeeting to digitally carry out planned job interviews.
We have summarized the most important information about the digital job interview for applicants and companies.
Increasing the efficiency of application processes with the help of apps
Many companies have long been using video conferencing platforms for their job interviews on a vacancy or a project. If applicants come from another country, for example, or cannot appear in person for other reasons, this is a popular method that also has several advantages:
1. Higher information content compared to a telephone conversation
Using facial expressions, gestures and other visual impressions, companies can make a more informed assessment of whether the applicant as a person could fit well with the company and the future team.
A video conference also offers applicants the advantage that they can use this information to get a better impression of the potential new company and line manager. This visual information also leads to more commitment (self-commitment) compared to a telephone exchange.
2. Cost and time savings compared to a personal interview
The time factor is extremely limited not only for busy decision-makers in the company. Highly qualified applicants in particular are mostly heavily involved in work processes and therefore not very flexible in terms of time. Thanks to the use of video conferencing technologies, conversations can be accelerated in time and, at the same time, advantages can be achieved compared to the application processes of other companies that do not have this flexibility.
In addition, travel and accommodation costs can be saved by using such tools.
3. Convince as a modern employer
By using modern communication technologies such as Skype, Microsoft Teams or GoToMeeting as a company in the application process, you show your innovative ability and openness to value-adding technological developments. This increases your attractiveness as an employer.
4. No risk of infection in times of epidemics
In times of the current corona pandemic, the use of digital tools for the application process naturally also eliminates the risk of infection. A large number of German companies have already switched their entire application process to video-based conversations, or only the final interview is being conducted personally.
How do I prepare for a virtual job interview?
On the part of our applicants, we record their assessment after video job interviews as standard and were able to identify four success factors, which we have put together in the following checklist:
1. Good preparation
Companies are fully aware that qualified and motivated employees are the decisive success factor for long-term corporate success. Therefore, as an interviewer, take enough time to study the applicants' documents in advance and not only during the interview. Your counterpart will register this visually and assess it as a lack of appreciation or relevance of the conversation on your part.
Applicants, in turn, should also prepare well for the virtual interview. Since you are sitting on your private computer, you also have all the relevant documents ready for any queries. Take advantage of this and put together relevant documents in a folder that you can quickly access in advance of the interview and think about potential questions that can be asked by the company.
2. Sufficient time
As a company, communicate in the invitation to the appointment how much time you have available for the interview. With a clear time frame and defined discussion goals, you can also make temporary discussions a positive experience for applicants.
For applicants Allow plenty of time and buffer yourself for the time: apply before and after the interview. If, contrary to expectations, there is a change in time or the conversation takes longer than planned, you can act flexibly.
3. Suitable environment
If you, as the interviewer, do not have the opportunity to conduct the conversation from a quiet room, then communicate this in good time. Applicants usually understand this when, for example, they conduct the conversation from an airport lounge. Central to this, however, is expectations management, i.e. timely announcement and reasons why you cannot conduct the conversation from a suitable room.
As an applicant , you should ensure that you have a quiet place for the interview. Strong noises or people in the background can negatively affect the quality of the conversation. You may also have the disadvantage of not understanding the company's questions acoustically if the background noise is poor.
4. Mental health
The day-to-day work of decision-makers in companies is usually highly concentrated in terms of time. Anyone who can gather briefly before the conversation and calm down will radiate greater sovereignty. This can increase your attractiveness as an employer and mean that you will not have to invest any more time in the future because you have already won over the applicants.
Applicants should also take the time to collect themselves mentally in order to leave a confident impression in the conversation. As far as possible, prepare yourself for potential questions and think about questions that you would like to ask the company in a conversation.
We are happy to advise and support you in the introduction of video-based job interviews and also share interesting ideas with you, with which companies and applicants successfully master application situations in this special time. Contact us using our form - we look forward to hearing from you!
