The COVID 19 pandemic has shown us that anyone can work from anywhere, which means more job struggle, exclusively for those just entering the workforce. If you want to stand out in a virtual interview, specialize in what you say, where you say it, and the way you say…
When it comes to getting a new job, it’s important to stand out professionally. This has always been right, but social distancing and virtual meetings have made it tougher than ever to form a positive impression.
One thing that can set you apart from the competition: extraordinary communication skills. A person who is good at public speaking is appealing to new employers. In one large study of the utmost critical, in-demand skills for a shifting world, Adobe found that 71% of recruiters rank communication skills as the most desirable in job candidates.
While it’s never an authentic time to lack this desirable asset, during a Covid-ravaged economy, where new graduates and young professionals are competing for fewer jobs, it’d just be the worst — particularly in virtual job interviews.
The good news is that you simply can build better communication skills. Three areas, especially, will assist you to stand out. Give attention to what you say, where you say it, and the way you say it.
In the case of an employment interview, you’re the merchandise. It is your job to influence the recruiter, why they should invest in you. These three questions can assist you to build the script for your big sale.
What am I passionate about? Recruiters look for passionate candidates because positive energy is contagious. You can’t encourage others unless you’ve encouraged yourself. Do some research on the corporate before time, but roll in the hay with the intention of finding what motivates you about their work. Study the company’s website. Perhaps it contains a customer story that motivates you or an initiative you’re particularly interested in.
Don’t be afraid to share your passion in your interview and make certain to attach it to the company’s mission. Extra points if you’ll explain what it’s about their work that connects to your personal values. What is the one thing I would like them to understand about me? Recruiters and HR professionals are exhausted from boundless virtual meetings. Make it easy on your listener by going to the purpose and reinforcing your key message a minimum of twice during the interview.
Your key message should highlight what separates you from competitors. Spend a while before your interview outlining not just your skills, but your interests and hobbies. Think about yourself through a holistic lens. The blend of your personal and professional traits makes you a unique candidate. No two candidates are the same. Explaining what separates you from the pack might be the foremost important sentence of the whole interview.
Whatever your “one thing” is, find opportunities during the interview to focus the recruiter’s attention thereon by fixing your statement with a precursor-like, “If there’s one thing, I’d like you to understand about me, it’s this…” subsequent line is what the listener will remember, jot down, and share with others on the hiring team.
What story should I share? Nearly every question a recruiter asks offers itself to a story: Tell me about a time that you failed at something? Can you name someone whom you admire? How would your friends describe you?
Have short, relevant stories able to share, ones that connect you to the company’s values. Before the interview, write your stories down. They should be experienced about times, once you shined, learned something new, or faced a challenge. I recommend following the normal (time-tested) structure: Use the start to determine context, include a middle with hurdles and challenges, and end with a resolution. The resolution doesn’t always need to be perfectly happy, but it should showcase some quiet growth.
While telling your stories, concentrate on the words you employ. For the corporate that places a high value on collaboration, tell a story that hits on the theme of teamwork. When you work on the script, use more “we” pronouns than “I” statements. For the corporate that wishes to “enrich lives,” believe a time you helped a peer or client, using empathetic phrases like “I understood their frustration.”
Rehearse the story, either within the mirror or ahead of friends. When the time comes, you’ll be ready to deliver it concisely and effortlessly. Storytelling isn’t just about what you say. It extends to your setting. What do your environment and presentation reveal about you? How does it reflect on your personal brand? This is element candidates often overlook. Pay attention there, and you’ll stand out.
If you’re not comfortable sharing your background or if your immediate surroundings are jumbled and messy — then, and only then — you consider a virtual background. Choose a photograph of a famous building on your college campus or background that represents your artistic work. Think creatively.
Engaging someone during a virtual setting is difficult because we don’t see the complete range of expressions, visual communication, and other cues that make an emotional connection between two people.
There are simple things that anyone can do to enhance their vocal quality for virtual meetings. Slow down the pace of your speech. It’s natural to talk rapidly at an in-person meeting because you’ll read a number of non-verbal cues and recognize when to stay quiet or let somebody else have the ground. Those cues are hard to read in virtual settings. Slowing down your rate of speech will make it easier for your listener to follow the conversation. It also makes it less likely that you’ll interrupt the interviewer.
Add inflection – Inflections add a layer to a virtual conversation that helps to replace the emotion that is often stripped away in a virtual dialogue. If you’re sharing the story of a significant challenge you faced, your tone should be soberer, slower. You could then raise your voice, speak more rapidly, and emphasize keywords as you excitedly share how you overcame it.
Speak to the camera – Can you imagine watching a 20–30-minute program where the host is talking to his notes the entire time? Well, that’s exactly what you’re doing if you’re lecturing the screen and not the online camera. Remember that speaking on to the camera is very difficult, so schedule practice sessions with anyone (friends or family members). Record the mock employment interview and review it. You might catch distracting habits which will be easily fixed.
No longer are companies limited to, hiring those that live accessibly. The coronavirus pandemic has shown us that anyone can work from anywhere, which suggests more competition for all folks. Learning to sell yourself on camera may be a skill that will pay off now and during a post-Covid economy.
