{"id":864,"date":"2020-07-31T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ec2-3-209-223-66.compute-1.amazonaws.com\/?p=864"},"modified":"2020-12-18T18:53:06","modified_gmt":"2020-12-18T18:53:06","slug":"acing-your-in-person-phone-and-video-interviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/acing-your-in-person-phone-and-video-interviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Acing Your In-Person, Phone and Video Interviews"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Congratulations – you\u2019ve impressed the hiring manager with your polished resume<\/a> and thoughtful cover letter<\/a>, and you\u2019ve scheduled your interview! While that\u2019s an accomplishment worth celebrating in itself, the actual interview process can be intimidating and stressful for interviewees. Additionally, the COVID-19 health crisis has added new layers of complication to the hiring process for both candidates and workplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe biggest change to our hiring process has been that hiring and onboarding are now done remotely,\u201d said Rex Freiberger, CEO of Gadget Review<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m sure this is true of many companies, and it\u2019s an adjustment everyone has to make.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re preparing to meet with a hiring manager over phone or video now, or gearing up for in-person interviews in the future, leaving an excellent impression is key to landing a job offer. We\u2019ve gathered tried-and-true expert advice, as well as new tips for the current environment, to help you master your next interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Any Type of Interview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do Your Research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t get caught without a clue about the company! Before your interview, review the requirements of the position you applied for, the company\u2019s mission and values, and any recent news coming from the organization and industry. If you\u2019re juggling multiple job leads or working with hiring agencies, it can be easy to lose track of each position that you\u2019ve submitted for. Keep an organized list of what you\u2019ve applied for, complete with links to each company and job posting, to avoid any last-minute scrambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dress Up, Even If You\u2019ll Be at Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although some industries have clear traditions and standards when it comes to attire, many companies have implemented more relaxed dress codes. This can make it difficult to determine what to wear to your next interview. We recommend that you always opt for a more elevated interview look; you may feel silly walking into a jeans-casual work environment while wearing a jacket and tie, but it\u2019s always better to overdress than underdress. You only have one chance to leave a first impression, so make it count!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not meeting anyone face-to-face, you should still dress up for a video or phone interview. A nice pair of slacks and dress shoes will help you feel more alert and professional than your sweatpants, even if you\u2019re the only one who will see them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice Your Elevator Pitch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your response to the typical \u201ctell me a little about yourself\u201d interview question should not<\/strong> be your life story. \u201cFor candidates that haven\u2019t interviewed in a while, (they should) be mindful not to make the interview all about themselves,\u201d noted Theresa Santoro, director of HR and operations at Actualize Consulting<\/a>. \u201cI want to know about them and their skill sets, but I am also interested in hearing how they carried that over into the organizations they worked for and how they impacted them. If they only talk about themselves, they come across as selling too hard.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be prepared with a minute-long description of what you\u2019re currently doing, what you previously did that may have led you to your current or most recent position, what you\u2019re hoping to do in the future, and how it ties to the position you\u2019re interviewing for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Badmouth Your Old Employer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many interviewees fall into the habit of complaining about past employers or jobs – this is not a good look! Even if you were in the right in your situation or if the story ends with how you saved the day, interviewers might assume that you\u2019ll also trash-talk their company and employees. If a hiring manager asks you to critique your past work environments, be kind and fair with your response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Practice Good Body Language<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever been told that your hands fidget when you\u2019re nervous? Have you been called out for avoiding eye contact? We all have physical quirks and reactions when we\u2019re under pressure, but your nonverbals may give your interviewer the impression that you\u2019re not focused or interested in the job. Practice your verbal and nonverbal interviewing skills with a trusted friend or mentor, and ask them to point out any nonverbals that may be distracting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This rule also goes for virtual and phone interviews – avoid distracting movements, jangling jewelry and loud noises that could be distracting on a screen or through a speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask Good Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After answering all of their questions, the interviewer will likely ask you if you have any questions for them. Prepare two or three thoughtful questions that show your interest in the company. Here are some good ones to get things started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n