Online Interviewing Tips for Hiring Managers

Interviewing can be costly and time consuming, especially when considering candidates from out of the area. Luckily, technology advancements have enabled us to reach these individuals with much more ease than we have had in the past thanks to the webcam allowing for online interviews.

We are seeing more clients opting for online interviews due to the following benefits:

• You are able to view the candidate and gauge their professional appearance and body language
  
• Allows you to see the interviewee in their own surroundings
  
• Reduces travel costs associated with bringing candidates in for interviews
  

Considering adding online interviews to your hiring process? The following are some tips to help both the interviewer make the best first impression.

1. Be familiar with the technology you are using —Download the program ahead of time, and do a test run with a friend. Skype is one of the more common software programs being used, but as with any technology, it’ll be much better to work out the technical kinks on the front end before starting the interview.
   
2. Make sure that you and the interviewee are able to connect —Make sure you have one another’s screen name or log in information needed prior to the appointment.
   
3. Make sure you look into the camera —If you are looking at the screen, you are not making direct eye contact with the person to whom you are communicating. This can be just as damaging for a video interview as it would be if you were sitting across a table from someone.
   
4. Be mindful of your background and lighting —Put yourself in an area with little to no background noise, and be mindful of potential interruptions. Also be aware of what the person will see behind you. It is best to avoid stark white walls and busy backgrounds. Test the lighting in the area where you will interview ahead of time to make sure it is flattering.
   
5. Adjust the camera ahead of time —You want the camera to show your head, shoulders, and hands. You need to be able to communicate fully, so this includes being able to transmit and receive nonverbal cues.
   
6. Dress for success —Dress for a video interview the same way you would if you were meeting the person at the office. Dark colors with a touch of color are the safest and look best on camera.
   
7. Have a script —Having notes in front of you can prevent awkward silences and keep the conversation on track.
   

Written by Tiffany Worstell, Account Executive/Dental Recruiter for Dental Staff at ETS Dental (www.etsdental.com). For more information, contact Tiffany directly at 540-491-9112 or tworstell@etsdental.com

6 Tips to Ace a Video Interview

Video interviewing is quickly becoming a favorite medium for employers to connect with potential candidates. Knowing how to conduct or participate in a video interview and have everything go smoothly, however, takes some preparation.

Here are a few tips to help you do your best:

1. Make a Good Connection - Before you can make a good connection with an employer during an interview, you must first ensure that your internet connection is up to par. Conduct the interview somewhere where you will have a steady internet connection with decent speeds. Stuttering video, skipping audio, or worse, a connection that drops out altogether, are all symptoms of slow internet speeds and might cut your chances of acing the interview painfully short.

2. Location, Location, Location – Where you decide to set up your webcam and conduct the interview plays a huge role in the quality of your overall presentation. Try to choose a quiet area with sufficient lighting and make sure what’s behind you isn’t distracting to the interviewer. If you will be conducting the interview from home, make sure any fellow cohabitants are aware of what you’re doing and won’t have to enter the room during the interview. Having a spouse or roommate dash across the background is not only awkward for you and the interviewer, but comes across as unprofessional. Finally, don’t forget to secure all pets and children in another part of the house with supervision to avoid any additional distractions.

3. Test All Tech – Several days before the interview, test your webcam, microphone, and computer to ensure everything is working correctly. Familiarize yourself with volume controls and any settings that might improve the quality of your interview. If you’re purchasing a webcam for the first time, look for one with HD capabilities and a quality built-in microphone. Prices on webcams and microphones have become very reasonable in recent years, so spending a couple extra dollars to avoid grainy video and choppy audio during your interview will certainly pay off and give your presentation a professional flare.

4. Dress Your Best – Although the interviewer will likely only see you from the waist up, dress in full professional attire as if you were meeting them in person. Opting for pajama pants in place of traditional garb may seem like a great idea, but you never know when you may have to stand up or retrieve something from the other side of the room that would reveal your entire outfit.

5. Don’t Interview from Work – It may seem tempting to interview from your office at work, but doing so communicates to your interviewer a lack of respect for your current employer. You also run the risk of a supervisor or fellow employee interrupting the interview, which can not only diminish your chances of landing the job, but cause conflict in your current employment situation.

6. Practice Truly Makes Perfect – Talking into a camera is very different than speaking with someone in person. Practice looking directly at the camera when you speak so that the interviewer can see your eyes. Try to avoid looking down at the screen or around the room when speaking, as doing so could communicate disinterest or disengagement from the task at hand.

As with any interview, prepare yourself ahead of time to answer questions in a concise manner that highlights your accomplishments and addresses how you would be of benefit to the employer. Although a Skype or FaceTime video interview can be very different from a traditional in-person meeting, following the tips outlined above can help make the process go smoothly and allow you to make a great first impression.


ETS Dental is a Dental Recruiting firm specializing in finding and placing General Dentists, Dental Specialists, and Dental Staff throughout the United States. www.etsdental.com