Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Interview tips for work at home professionals

If you haven’t tried it before or known about it before, yes people are getting interviewed in a lot of other ways nowadays. There used to be only a phone interview (which is mostly an invitation for an actual interview at the office) and the interview at a specific place (usually office) but nowadays, people are getting interviewed via Skype or online video chats – basically it’s what they call as virtual interviews.

This is also common to work at home professionals and especially for companies that outsource some of their services and needs. Below are some tips and advice for applicants who would undergo virtual interviews:

1.Always be on time. Treat your interview as an actual interview and be sure that you show up or connect with them on time. You have to ensure that all the tools you need (computer, internet connection, medium of communication such as Skype, is readily available). You can’t use excuses such as poor connectivity for your being late as the interviewers will then know that you don’t have the right tools to work for them – especially for companies involved in a lot of online activities.

2.Dress accordingly. Even if you think that they don’t see the lower part of your body since you are sited, be sure to wear pants and shoes as you never know if they are going to ask you to stand up. Dressing accordingly is one thing but having a good environment is another. Be sure to have a clean and organized workstation and be in a quiet environment. Show them that even when you are working at home, you have your own work station that is free of distractions and is organized.

3.Have a soft copy of your resume on standby. Some employers will still ask you a copy of your CV during your interview so be sure to have one ready for sending.

4.Show you are focused. Don’t look at your surroundings and don’t look at your own image on the computer, focus on your camera.  You can turn off or hide your own image as some people tend to get distracted by their own image.

5.Be sure you are being received 5x5. Although some applications or software allows you to test your system (microphone, speakers, etc.), you should still ask upfront if your interviewer can get you clearly. In case they don’t you can make necessary adjustments to avoid miscommunication.

Treat your virtual interview like those that you get when you go to their offices. Always show professionalism and show them not just your skills and capabilities but also your value and what you can bring in for their company.

Resources:
http://www.meditec.com/blog/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Home_Guide
http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2011/ted_20110624.htm

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