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As distance interviewing becomes more popular, especially
for senior management positions, we have reproduced this
article to provide advice and guidance to our candidates
as part of the media trail.
You
are shown into a small office. A chair, PC and gadget on
a stick are all that populate the room. The screen flickers
to life. "Please sit down", a voice commands from
nowhere. "We've been looking forward to meeting you."
No, not an interrogation from a futuristic thriller but
on-line interview using video conferencing technology -
and it's becoming increasingly common.
The
application of video conferencing has been one of the few
technology steps that the person in the street has welcomed.
Yet very few have practical experience or understand the
presentation techniques we shall need to engage.
Many
companies are now appreciating the cost benefits (especially
in the international arena) to be obtained. Not to mention
the savings in time for senior executives.
As this
will become part of the selection process we need to be
prepared. These are some points to remember.
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1.
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Be
natural and don't be put off by the apparent formality
of the studio environment" (you must put yourself
at ease no matter how unnatural it may seem). |
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2.
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Establish
exactly who you're talking to. There may be other people
present whom you cannot see on your monitor. |
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3.
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Establish
the exact purpose of the session - a screening or in-depth
interview (important in all meetings, doubly so in this)? |
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4.
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The camera and the screen will be slightly apart,
so always look at the camera when answering questions
(in this situation it is even more important that
you establish eye contact).
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5.
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Don't
glance back at the monitor when talking. You only end
up moving your head from side to side (at the other
end it looks as if you're watching Wimbledon). |
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6.
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There's no need to raise your voice. Your interviewer
may be a long way away but the microphone isn't. |
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7.
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Avoid
looking down at notes for any length of time (they cannot
necessarily be seen by the interviewer and your looking
could be misleading). |
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8.
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On
some systems the other party can control camera movement,
so be aware it could be more than your head and shoulders
on view. |
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9.
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Remember
that the camera may be on when you enter the room. So
be careful. |
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10.
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Learn
to like it. Video conferencing is here to stay. We can't
afford to be put off. |
SSR
has developed a training package to assist candidates, for
further information contact Del Hunter on 020 8626 3100
or email
dhunter@ssr-personnel.com
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