Author: Future Manager Research Center

2020’s job search was disrupted by coronavirus because of postponement of recruitment, prolonged processes, declining demand of the company.

Many job seekers and recruiters are faced with skepticism and embarrassment they have never encountered before. Therefore, new recruitment processes and methods are being considered.

Remote hiring is the way of helping the company to carry on its recruitment work when HRs are working from home. But it also faces challenges, remote recruitment process is particularly long and sophisticated, which requires consecutive communications between HR, candidates and interviewers. It is easy to be chaotic, and more importantly, remote hiring has disrupted the realism of face-to-face communication that corporate HRs are used to.

Therefore, HR should use the right tools. Phone screening and video interviews are the primary communication channels for recruiters while doing remote hiring. It is of utmost importance that recruiters use the right tools to make communication easier. Additionally, using assessment tools is a great way of evaluating a candidate’s skills and making unbiased hiring decisions. For enterprises, after all, remote interviews can save some time costs and improve efficiency.

For job seekers, even if the epidemic is over, it doesn’t mean they can be relieved. On the one hand, there will be more job applicants than in the same period of previous years, and on the other hand, many companies may have to reduce employment costs.

Thence, for job seekers, the only thing that can be done now is to adjust career plans, make the most abundant preparations, and meet new challenges.

It will be a common situation during this isolation period that job seekers have to do video interviews. So how should job seekers prepare themselves for online interviews? Here are some advices:

• If you are the kind of person who is unnatural and nervous in front of the camera, practice in advance: record your own answer, then read it again to see your posture and voice. At the same time, check the background and lighting.

• As with any interview, you need to survey the company and prepare answers to common interview questions. Another benefit of video interviews is that you can prepare some notes.

• Plan your interview location in advance. The place must be quiet and not disturbed by noise. Make sure the room is tidy and the background is clean and simple. Turn off any software that may play notification sounds on all electronic devices and mute your phone. If you have someone like a roommate, let everyone in the house know that you are about to start the interview.

• Dress professionally. Although you are at home, this is a job interview. This is the chance to make a good first impression on interviewers, so dress appropriately.

• Be careful with your body language. Don’t be listless, don’t be hyperactive, and don’t keep touching your face. What interviewers want to see most are eye contact, smiles, listening, being interested in and responding to what they say. Look at the camera, not the screen.

• The answers to interviewers’ questions are rather slow and clear, not quick but inaudible. Also, be careful not to interrupt the interviewer, as the Internet may be delayed compared to a face to face interview.

• Try the computer devices in advance to make sure the picture is clear and the sound quality is good. Make sure everything is fully charged or plugged in. Turn on all devices at least half an hour in advance and log in to the software.