It's been said that, for every open job, hiring managers receive an average of 250 resumes. For this reason and others, more employers are choosing to conduct interviews by phone or video.
Preparation
To prepare for your interview, ask the hiring manager whether it will be conducted by phone, Skype or Zoom (phone or video), FaceTime or another medium. You need to fully understand the parameters of the interview you will be working.
Then, prepare for the interview:
- Do your homework on the company and industry. Learn what you can about their business, goals, culture, workstyle, challenges and opportunities. You can gather much of this data from online searches -- the company website, LinkedIn page, community involvement and key personnel.
- Learn what you can about the people with whom you'll be speaking. Look at their LinkedIn profiles and gain insight into their career paths, educational history and endorsements. Read their recommendations to learn more about their personal successes and qualities.
- Study your resume, work history and personal branding. You should be very well-versed on your experiences (inside the military and afterward), values and goals, and how they transfer to the goals of the company.
To get ready for the actual interview, prepare this way:
Phone Interview
- Put your computer, home phone and cellphone on silent. (But watch your cell if they are calling you!)
- Prepare your desk or workspace with everything you'll need. That may include a half-filled glass of water (no ice), notes for the interview (highlights off your resume, questions for the interviewer, reminders you need to mention), and a clock you can read easily. Remove distractions that aren't necessary.
- Put a note outside your door reminding your family that you're in an interview. The last thing you need is your child walking in crying that their sibling took away a toy!
Video Interview
The same rules as above apply, with a couple of exceptions and additions:
- As you prepare your workspace, be mindful of anything that will be in view of the interviewer on video. Do a test run with a friend using FaceTime so they can tell you all they can see. What's on your desk and in the background? Limit family pictures, memorabilia and other distractions. The focus needs to be on you, not your surroundings.
- Your test run will make sure your internet is running as it should. If you are on a desktop and have the ability to switch from Wi-Fi to an ethernet (cabled) connection, do that. An ethernet connection will always be faster and more reliable.
- Take the video interview indoors. There are too many unknowns and variables outside or in a public space. People can walk into the video frame, and random noises and technology glitches increase when you don't have a controlled environment.
- Also, take advantage of natural light. It's the very best light you can use. If it's direct sunlight, have a sheer curtain in front of the light source to evenly diffuse the light around your face. In addition to using natural light, add a couple of supplementary lights if needed: one on either side of your computer or phone (out of frame) to cancel out any shadowing on your face. These can be lights or desk lamps you already have in your home. Play around with the combination of these until you find the right blend.
- Dress for the interview. Some experts advise you to dress up regardless of whether the interview is phone or video. In the case of video, this is a must -- and not just from the top up. Wear the pants to the suit or a skirt with heels if this is how you'd dress in an in-person interview.
- After the interview, follow up as if you met with them in-person. Send a thank-you note to each person you met with. Personalize the note to reflect what was discussed and inquire about next steps.
Phone and video interviews cut down time and obstacles for interviewers, but the applicant should treat them as important as an in-person meeting.
Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs?
Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.
