REASUNTA
The 7 worst things that can happen to you in an online interview
Online job interviews have become a recent trend, offering several advantages - from the fact that you don't have to travel anywhere and can complete them from the comfort of your home to the huge time savings. However, there are also several pitfalls that await you during an online interview that are not really encountered in traditional interviews.
So how do you prepare for an online interview to avoid the most common failures that happen during them? This is best explained with some intimidating examples of the worst things that can happen to you minutes before the interview starts, or during it.
So how do you prepare for an online interview to avoid the most common failures that happen during them? This is best explained with some intimidating examples of the worst things that can happen to you minutes before the interview starts, or during it.
Background noise
Unless you live alone, you are responsible for making sure that no one in your apartment or house disturbs you with noise during the interview. Therefore, give plenty of notice of the interview date to all your flatmates and ask them not to disturb you at that time.
However, the most difficult task awaits you when you have a small child at home. If it is not possible to arrange for the mother to take the child for a walk at the time of your online interview, then at least arrange for a babysitter. A baby screaming and crying in the first minute of the interview would definitely not be a good look.
However, even moments like this sometimes just happen and you need to not let them get you down. You may come across a headhunter who will be tolerant of such things. Plus, there are moments that you can't control - like the fact that there's going to be an aerial exercise over your house.
Unless you live alone, you are responsible for making sure that no one in your apartment or house disturbs you with noise during the interview. Therefore, give plenty of notice of the interview date to all your flatmates and ask them not to disturb you at that time.
However, the most difficult task awaits you when you have a small child at home. If it is not possible to arrange for the mother to take the child for a walk at the time of your online interview, then at least arrange for a babysitter. A baby screaming and crying in the first minute of the interview would definitely not be a good look.
However, even moments like this sometimes just happen and you need to not let them get you down. You may come across a headhunter who will be tolerant of such things. Plus, there are moments that you can't control - like the fact that there's going to be an aerial exercise over your house.
A discharged laptop
It's not always possible to conduct an online interview in a place where there is power available. In such a case, it is literally a nightmare when you find out that you forgot to charge your laptop, or you only have a few percent left, which certainly won't last the whole interview...
An even more common fiasco is that you forget to check the battery before the interview and the screen goes black during the interview because of a low battery. Learn from the mistakes of others and always put your laptop on the charger before the interview.
It's not always possible to conduct an online interview in a place where there is power available. In such a case, it is literally a nightmare when you find out that you forgot to charge your laptop, or you only have a few percent left, which certainly won't last the whole interview...
An even more common fiasco is that you forget to check the battery before the interview and the screen goes black during the interview because of a low battery. Learn from the mistakes of others and always put your laptop on the charger before the interview.
A discharged laptop
It's not always possible to conduct an online interview in a place where there is power available. In such a case, it is literally a nightmare when you find out that you forgot to charge your laptop, or you only have a few percent left, which certainly won't last the whole interview...
An even more common fiasco is that you forget to check the battery before the interview and the screen goes black during the interview because of a low battery. Learn from the mistakes of others and always put your laptop on the charger before the interview.
It's not always possible to conduct an online interview in a place where there is power available. In such a case, it is literally a nightmare when you find out that you forgot to charge your laptop, or you only have a few percent left, which certainly won't last the whole interview...
An even more common fiasco is that you forget to check the battery before the interview and the screen goes black during the interview because of a low battery. Learn from the mistakes of others and always put your laptop on the charger before the interview.
Internet unavailability and connection problems
Unfortunately, technical problems are common in online interviews - an unexpected internet outage is beyond the control of either party. However, if the problems persist, it's already a sign that you are not able to find a place where you won't have internet problems.
An even bigger faux paux is when you do an online interview in a new or remote location and find that there is no internet connection. Such hesitation is really inexcusable.
Unfortunately, technical problems are common in online interviews - an unexpected internet outage is beyond the control of either party. However, if the problems persist, it's already a sign that you are not able to find a place where you won't have internet problems.
An even bigger faux paux is when you do an online interview in a new or remote location and find that there is no internet connection. Such hesitation is really inexcusable.
An "unexpected" operating system or software update
This situation has happened to everyone - you have a job to do and suddenly your computer shuts down and starts updating. You can probably imagine the panic you experience when this happens to you a minute before the interview starts or during the interview...
What solution is there? You can temporarily disable all updates in the operating system or schedule them for another day.
If you know you will need some programs during the interview, run them before the interview starts. It can take dozens of minutes to update software that hasn't been used for several years.
This situation has happened to everyone - you have a job to do and suddenly your computer shuts down and starts updating. You can probably imagine the panic you experience when this happens to you a minute before the interview starts or during the interview...
What solution is there? You can temporarily disable all updates in the operating system or schedule them for another day.
If you know you will need some programs during the interview, run them before the interview starts. It can take dozens of minutes to update software that hasn't been used for several years.
An "unexpected" operating system or software update
This situation has happened to everyone - you have a job to do and suddenly your computer shuts down and starts updating. You can probably imagine the panic you experience when this happens to you a minute before the interview starts or during the interview...
What solution is there? You can temporarily disable all updates in the operating system or schedule them for another day.
If you know you will need some programs during the interview, run them before the interview starts. It can take dozens of minutes to update software that hasn't been used for several years.
This situation has happened to everyone - you have a job to do and suddenly your computer shuts down and starts updating. You can probably imagine the panic you experience when this happens to you a minute before the interview starts or during the interview...
What solution is there? You can temporarily disable all updates in the operating system or schedule them for another day.
If you know you will need some programs during the interview, run them before the interview starts. It can take dozens of minutes to update software that hasn't been used for several years.
Wrongly chosen clothes
Yes, the home environment makes it tempting to get comfortable. But online interviews should also be approached responsibly when it comes to clothing choices - as if it were a traditional job interview. So for a senior job search, opt for more formal attire.
It's a complete oversight to leave clothes that you're visibly using as pyjamas, or to wear only a top.
Don't forget to comb your hair too, this can also add plus points.
Yes, the home environment makes it tempting to get comfortable. But online interviews should also be approached responsibly when it comes to clothing choices - as if it were a traditional job interview. So for a senior job search, opt for more formal attire.
It's a complete oversight to leave clothes that you're visibly using as pyjamas, or to wear only a top.
Don't forget to comb your hair too, this can also add plus points.
Background clutter
A tidy room makes it clear that you are a good person and can organize your things. However, if for some reason you don't have your home perfectly tidy at the time of the interview, there is fortunately a software option to choose a background that will mask the clutter (piles of laundry, etc.).
In fact, we recommend using this software background for all those times when you're not home alone and can't ensure that someone will enter the room. This will prevent a number of embarrassing situations - like your girlfriend being in the background of the camera in her underwear.
But be sensible when choosing a software background - don't choose any embarrassingly funny options.
A tidy room makes it clear that you are a good person and can organize your things. However, if for some reason you don't have your home perfectly tidy at the time of the interview, there is fortunately a software option to choose a background that will mask the clutter (piles of laundry, etc.).
In fact, we recommend using this software background for all those times when you're not home alone and can't ensure that someone will enter the room. This will prevent a number of embarrassing situations - like your girlfriend being in the background of the camera in her underwear.
But be sensible when choosing a software background - don't choose any embarrassingly funny options.
Background clutter
A tidy room makes it clear that you are a good person and can organize your things. However, if for some reason you don't have your home perfectly tidy at the time of the interview, there is fortunately a software option to choose a background that will mask the clutter (piles of laundry, etc.).
In fact, we recommend using this software background for all those times when you're not home alone and can't ensure that someone will enter the room. This will prevent a number of embarrassing situations - like your girlfriend being in the background of the camera in her underwear.
But be sensible when choosing a software background - don't choose any embarrassingly funny options.
A tidy room makes it clear that you are a good person and can organize your things. However, if for some reason you don't have your home perfectly tidy at the time of the interview, there is fortunately a software option to choose a background that will mask the clutter (piles of laundry, etc.).
In fact, we recommend using this software background for all those times when you're not home alone and can't ensure that someone will enter the room. This will prevent a number of embarrassing situations - like your girlfriend being in the background of the camera in her underwear.
But be sensible when choosing a software background - don't choose any embarrassingly funny options.
Unprepared program
Similarly, make sure you check well in advance that the sound and camera are working. Equally important is to have the programme on which the interview will take place ready in time. So remember not only to download the program, but also to register for it and remember your login details.
There is nothing worse than not being able to remember your password a minute before the interview is scheduled to start.
Similarly, make sure you check well in advance that the sound and camera are working. Equally important is to have the programme on which the interview will take place ready in time. So remember not only to download the program, but also to register for it and remember your login details.
There is nothing worse than not being able to remember your password a minute before the interview is scheduled to start.
In any case, it is important to remember that all of these examples, in most cases, show that you are unprepared and thus rapidly reduce your chances of success in a job interview. Because they clearly show your sloppiness and inability to make things work.
Summary
Why not make these mistakes?
You can prevent these common mistakes by:
Summary
Why not make these mistakes?
- Each of the above things annoys everyone involved and reduces the chances of success in the interview.
- These mistakes waste valuable time and energy that could be better spent discussing the job or your experience.
- There's no such thing as a second first impression - once you get something wrong, in most cases you won't have a chance to fix it.
You can prevent these common mistakes by:
- Check your calendar and think about where you will be at the time of the interview. A coffee shop or a bus are not really good places.
- Check your connection and the technical condition of your equipment - updates, headphones, etc.
- Wear a clean t-shirt/shirt and be fully prepared at least 5 minutes before the interview starts.
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