Job Interviews to Undergo a Virtual Change

In the past, job searches were limited by distance for both job seekers and recruiters. However, as technological tools continue to progress, communication has vastly improved and now enables HR personnel and prospective employees to talk regardless of how far away they may be from each other. Because of this, a rising number of recruiters could see the benefits of incorporating sophisticated solutions such as video interviews into their application processes, and job candidates could see these virtual encounters more frequently.Video interviews to become a normAccording to The Boston Globe, firms in a variety of sectors are starting to implement video calls as an integral part of their screening functions. Up until this point, recruiters have found that the Internet has significantly expanded their job applicant pool, having their listings reach qualified candidates around the world and enabling these prospects to send in applications instantly. That being said, companies and job seekers have not necessarily had the financial resources to travel great distances for a quick in-person meeting. Consequently, a portion of talented prospects have seen their candidacy come to a standstill, having to pass up interviews or encountering HR representatives who decide scale back their scope to the local level.Now, that has all changed. With readily available video conferencing programs, such as Skype and GoToMeeting, interviewing potential employees living far away has been made possible. Moving forward, everyone involved in job searches could expect to play a role in a virtual rendezvous at some point or another.”There’s more awareness of what video conferencing can do and why it improves efficiency and identifies that right fit for the organization,” stated Madeline Laurano, research director of human resources at Aberdeen Group, according to The Boston Globe. “This is not just a passing trend. We’re going to see this as part of every recruitment going forward.”Even though these technologies allow for hassle-free interviews, individuals utilizing them should avoid taking a laid-back approach to virtual interactions, bearing in mind that these situations still have a professional context. Because of this, there are certain precautions that recruiters and applicants must take to ensure that they are making the right impression on each other.Get ready for a close-upProfessionals want to look their best during any job interviews, whether these rendezvous be in the flesh or on screen. This means that HR personnel and candidates should neaten up themselves, as well as their surroundings, to eliminate possible distractions during their discussions.The Boston Globe advised that people groom themselves just as they would for any other kind of interview. Although some individuals may be tempted to dress well from the waist up, only to take the comfy route for pants by staying in their pajamas, this is not necessarily a wise wardrobe choice.”You might think because you’re on camera, you only have to wear a professional top and not bottom,” said Jill Chanin, a staffing professional. “But our recommendation is if you dress professionally, you’ll make the best presentation on the whole.”Even if the other person cannot tell that professional is wearing yoga pants or gym shorts during a video interview, it could affect the general tone of the meeting. By being overly comfortable in these situations, people could come across as taking these virtual meetings too lightly, which may jeopardize the hiring process. Instead of playing with risks, recruiters and job seekers should show off their companies and themselves in the best way possible by taking these scenarios seriously and dressing appropriately.Stay focused on the screenAs many people know all too well, computers can be distracting. During virtual interviews, though, individuals cannot afford to be perusing their Facebook newsfeeds. Business News Daily explained that HR representatives and job applicants should be certain that they have no other windows open during these video conference calls.If someone is clicking away or not even looking at the person with whom he or she is speaking, it is going to be a dead giveaway that there is something else going on. In cases of this kind, individuals who are not being paid the attention they deserve are likely to think that there are far more important concerns that the other person has than a job interview, which will thwart any likelihood of being hired.For this reason, professionals participating in virtual interviews should give the other individuals their undivided attention. They can convey this by looking straight into the camera, not at the screen, demonstrating that their focus is on the discussion at hand and nothing else.