Three years on from the start of the pandemic and the way we work, as well as where we work, has irrevocably shifted thanks to the mass adoption of video conferencing.
If you’re engaged in hybrid or remote work you’ll know firsthand how important video conferencing technology is in facilitating communication with your team, from any location.
And while lockdowns and travel restrictions are now (thankfully) a thing of the past, hiring managers are still relying on video conferencing technology during the recruitment process.
In fact, 79% of companies now conduct interviews with candidates via video call, compared to 22% pre-pandemic, and the video interview market is expected to grow from €1.06 billion in 2020 to around €3 billion by 2025.
Like it or loathe it, the bottom line is that every job seeker needs to up their virtual meeting game if they want to successfully navigate video interviews. Here’s how.
Preparation is key
“I think you want to look like a pro every time,” advises Frank Weishaupt, CEO of video conferencing company, Owl Labs.
“The tech doesn’t always work, so one minute prior to every call I open Zoom or Microsoft Teams or whatever platform I’m going to be using, I start a meeting and make sure my camera is working, my background is appropriate, and my audio is working. You have a purpose for setting this meeting and I don’t want to waste your time paying some sort of meeting tax.”
Another good tip is to ensure your laptop is fully charged and plugged in, and you’ve activated “do not disturb” features on your instant messaging platforms such as Slack and your work email so notifications pinging in don’t throw you off or distract your mid-sentence.
Best face forward
While it might feel unnatural seeing your face on screen or you struggle to maintain eye contact by looking directly into the camera at all times, visibility in an interview is key when you’re making a first impression. As such, you should never start with your camera off.
“Never make the assumption that you’re going to be audio only because I think if you go into a meeting and you don’t have your video on and someone else does, there’s a little bit of awkwardness there,” Weishaupt explains.
“There are companies that I have meetings with and everyone’s video is always off, and I think it’s really interesting because I feel more connected in our conversation because I can see you. I think video is an important part of that.”
Ready to put your new and improved video interview etiquette to the test? The Silicon Canals Job Board has thousands of openings across tech in companies that are actively hiring, like the three below.
Software Developer Frontend, Europ Assistance Services GmbH, Munich
The Europ Assistance Group offers insurance and service products in the areas of travel, mobility, assisted living, health and senior care. As a Software Developer you will be responsible for software and web development in Germany, while also working closely with colleagues located internationally.
You’ll design and develop web applications and associated microservices based on JavaScript, Vue.js, Node.js in the cloud (Azure and AWS). You’ll also be required to maintain and migrate existing web portals and have competence in programming languages such as PHP, JavaScript, Laravel, Node.js and Vue.js. View more details here.
IT Project Manager w/m/d, Computacenter, Munich
As IT Project Manager you’ll support customers in the process of digital transformation. You’ll implement innovative state-of-the-art projects in the field of data centre and cloud computing, mobile workplace, unified communication and collaboration, network and security.
To apply for this role you’ll need three years’ of experience in the implementation of complex IT projects, you’re also a master of project management and confidently use PMI, SCRUM or hybrid methods. Apply here.
Mobile QA Automation Engineer (f/m/x), Enpal GmbH, Berlin
Enpal is on a mission to build the largest renewable community in Europe by simplifying solar systems. As a QA Automation Engineer you will work on complex problems in delivering renewable energy solutions: from building up pipelines for automated regression testing, to educating and coaching team members around structured test design and test coverage, all the way to troubleshooting and prioritising problem areas and bug reports.
You should have three years’ experience in QA automation and over five years’ experience in software engineering, extensive knowledge of automation platform Appium (with Javascript or TypeScript). Apply here.
For thousands more jobs in tech, visit the Silicon Canals Job Board today