Regardless of the specific leadership position you hold, at this point in your career you’re well versed at recognizing the positive feelings associated with tackling life’s personal and professional challenges.
While COVID sped up the adoption of video interviews, it has become the preferred method across most organizations and it still has potential to flummox seasoned executives. With some direction on how to overcome the most common challenges associated with video interviews, I’m confident you’ll be able to showcase your leadership talent with composure and confidence.
Here are the top four challenges associated with executive remote interviews:
- Technology glitches – A remote interview requires some technological setup that you need to plan well before the actual interview. Make certain that you have a stable internet connection, the right video conferencing platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.), and earbuds to make sure you and your interviewer can hear and respond to each other. Don’t hesitate to ask the hiring manager any questions you have regarding the technology they use to conduct video interviews. Testing the technology prior to the interview will help considerably. You’ll know that the technology is in the background doing its job, while also allowing you to showcase your experience, skills, and leadership abilities to the hiring manager.
- Building a connection – It’s more challenging to build rapport with a hiring manager during a video interview. When you meet a person, you have a much better chance to connect with them. As the interviewee it’s critical that you find ways to positively impact the interviewer’s thinking and feeling about your ability to build rapport, regardless of the challenges video interviews possess. Make sure you practice, perhaps with a friend or professional connection, to work through any issues involving camera shyness. You’re a capable candidate and that’s how you always want to present yourself to interviewers.
- Occasional lack of focus – During a video interview, it’s important to maintain your focus, regardless of what’s going on in your environment and the interviewer’s environment. Make sure you’re in a well lit, quiet, and distraction-free location. If there’s any tech issues that crop up, making it difficult to hear or see, don’t hesitate to bring it up so the remainder of the discussion goes smoothly.
- Evaluating body language – We tend to talk more with our gestures and postures than with words. Our body language speaks volumes about our personality, attitude, confidence level, tension level, and focus during an interview. This helps candidates evaluate whether the hiring manager’s words match with his/her ability to make eye contact and faithful hand gestures. Also take stock of how the interviewer greets you and whether they provide an appropriate farewell. Remember, the hiring manager will be evaluating your body language as well, to help guide hiring decisions. Candidates need to maintain appropriate eye contact, establishing a meaningful sign of confidence and respect during the remote interview process.
SucceedSmart offers executives an opportunity to polish their video skills without the pressure of a face-to-face interview. Take a few moments and check out this video that provides tips on creating a spectacular elevator pitch. Like any skill, the more you practice, the more effortless it becomes.
