Global Careers Events - Virtual Interviews Talk by Rosemary Zhou, APAC Week
As remote working is the norm now, virtual interviews have also gradually become the trend. The COVID-19 lockdown changed not only our lifestyle, but also how the industry operates. How shall we transition from face-to-face interviews to virtual interviews? Are we equipped with the skills to ace our interviews in a virtual space? Therefore, in conjunction with the Global Careers ASIA-PACIFIC (APAC) week, the Careers Centre hosted a workshop on ways to perform well in virtual interviews. The speaker was Rosemary Zhou from Jardine Matheson.
In a virtual interview, a candidate could either concurrently interact with the interviewer or record his responses based on the set questions. While we need to wear proper attire and present ourselves as in a face-to-face interview, there is a major difference between the two types of virtual interviews. In a real-time virtual conversation, we always have the chance to supplement information that we miss. However, for a recorded interview, we need to formulate our answers carefully before we speak within the limited time given. There will be no way for us to return to the previous questions to clarify our statements or provide additional information. All candidates will be assessed based on the recordings gathered.
Rosemary also shared some useful tips, two of which will be elucidated here. Technical glitches happen from time to time. In order to reduce the impact of unavoidable technical issues, we are advised to be online well before the time of the virtual interview. Being punctual does not necessarily mean logging in exactly at the set time, but giving oneself ample time to prepare for all possible technical problems. Being online early will give the impression that we are candidates capable of dealing with unpredicted happenings in the workplace. Most importantly, it will reflect our sincerity to land the job.
The next notable point is that we are advised to use professional usernames. Similar to what I learnt from an entrepreneurship workshop I attended many years ago, Rosemary reminded us to use usernames that professionally reflect who we are. We may choose email accounts that match our personalities, but it is vital to pick usernames that reflect our attitudes as a serious and competent candidate in the context of a virtual interview. In fact, the Careers Centre also recommends Leeds students to use their Leeds email accounts in their CVs and cover letters.
Overall, apart from showcasing our potential, virtual interviews are, in my opinion, a platform to demonstrate our attitudes and eagerness to secure the jobs. Be it in a physical or virtual space, we can always manifest our passion and calibre as long as we regard the jobs with equal commitment.