Remember the first time you used a web cam to communicate with your loved ones? I do. We were stationed in Hawaii and I purchased and mailed a web cam to my sister on the mainland so we could have some face time. It really didn’t matter how fuzzy the reception was, what was in the background, or how we were dressed. What mattered most was the very second when both our families, separated by miles of land and water, pointed at the computer and yelled in unison, “We can see you!”
Nowadays, military spouses and families have become much more savvy in our virtual communication with loved ones. We share special occasions like births and graduations, as well as day-to-day goings on with deployed spouses using built-in web cams and free online software. Children who PCS to new locations are keeping in touch with old friends, and parents are connecting with teachers and school administrators before moving to new duty stations. And still, in these instances, reception, background and attire don’t matter much.
But there is one particular time when they really do matter: in job interviews. So, before you agree to that virtual interview for the job you really want, use these three tips to help you come across as the top-of-her-game professional that you really are:
1. Eliminate environmental distractions. Log-on to your web cam and take stock of what you see behind you. Is there a mirror emitting a blinding glare, an inappropriate personal photo, a bookshelf cluttered with mess? Will you hear music, television, screaming children, barking pets, or loud telephones ringing? On a normal day, these are all ok, but during a job
interview, they can cause serious distractions.
2. Evaluate physical distractions. Conduct mock interview sessions with someone you trust. Ask them to look for awkward gestures and facial expressions. Also, ask them to rate the quality of your interaction (Are your responses too robotic or too casual?) and the overall quality of your on-camera appearance (try experimenting with camera settings). If no friend is available or shyness gets the best of you, just record and play back some practice sessions using the web cam, your cell phone, or video camera, and evaluate yourself.
3. Apply the same basic interview rules you would for an in-person interview. Practice common interview questions, wear proper interview attire, “arrive” early, have a copy of your resume on-hand, and Get A C.L.U.E. on how to make a stand-out case for being the right person for the job.
Share your favorite virtual chat story, provide an interview tip, or ask your burning question now.
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