Organizing a conference call was once the preferable choice, primarily because it was cost-effective and efficient. However, as technology advances, businesses are starting to look towards HD video conferencing as a better choice for their needs. The biggest reason for this is because people are more engaged in video conferencing than they are with audio conferencing, meaning that people are taking more away from these meetings. Using VoIP for your business conferencing needs gives your business the more personal interaction that engages the other people in the meeting, or in this case when conducting an interview. By reading on, you can learn some tips that will help you optimize your video conferencing for an interview especially if you are the interviewee.
How VoIP Can Help Conduct Interviews
Conducting interviews by using your business phone system can be a great way to hire the best person for the job, rather than settling for a pool of potential candidates in your area. This allows you to cast your net on someone who may not be local, especially if you are hiring for remote working needs. Video conferencing is so much better than audio conferencing for interviews because you can get a lot more information about your potential candidates. You can read their body language and interact as if you would in an in-person interview.
However, you need to be sure that your VoIP system is working properly in time for these interviews to start because otherwise, it can reflect poorly on your business. If you are the person in the interview, understanding how to properly use their video conferencing program and how to nail your interview.
Plan for the Video Conference
Whether you are having a job interview through video conferencing or some other important meeting, you should plan for this in advance. Start by making sure that you have everything set up that you need to for the interview. Find out the video conferencing software that is being used so that you can set it up and you can familiarise yourself with it. You will also want to be sure that you have a stable internet connection, otherwise, the connection can be dropped and this won’t work out well for you.
It’s also important to learn some basics about the video conference. Who are the other participants? How long is the interview or meeting going to last? These are important questions that can help you better plan for the video conference.
Setup Your Space/Your Attire
When you do an audio conference for a meeting or job interview, you have the ability to wear whatever you want and have the interview anyplace that is quiet. Unfortunately, you don’t have that ability with a video call. You want to make sure that you pick out appropriate attire that can properly represent yourself and a feeling of professionalism.
Then, set up a quiet space in your home. Make sure that you have proper lighting and your camera is working properly to ensure that you get the best look possible. You want the interviewer or audience to be able to see your face and expressions so that they get the more personal feeling that video conferencing offers.
When setting up your space, it’s also important to make sure it looks clean and clutter-free. You don’t want anything to distract you or the other people form the interview. The background should be very minimalist, again to avoid any distractions.
Convey Confidence and the Best Version of Yourself
This is your chance to make an impression, so be sure that you bring the best version of yourself to the interview or meeting. Make sure that you keep your eyes looking at the camera, giving the feeling of constant eye contact with the other people on the video conference call. This eye contact is essential in conveying confidence. Sitting up with great posture in your chair also helps display confidence. Be sure to also smile when appropriate as well.
Conclusion
Video conferencing is the best alternative to in-person meetings and interviews. You get a lot of the same benefits of an in-person meeting, including that personal connection, without having to actually get together. This could make it easier for you if you are making a connection to someone who isn’t local to you or if you are just connecting with local employees who are working from home. Audio conferencing is no longer the best option, especially when you consider the benefits of video conferencing. This includes the ability to see the body language of the other party and better engage with them.
Cropped image of man taking part in webinar with laptop -DepositPhotos
