How to Get Comfortable with Video Interviewing
Mar 31, 2020"And suddenly you know it's time to start something new and start the magic of beginnings." —Meister Eckhart
Dear Audie,
Welcome to the official launch of the YCTA Newsletter! You are receiving this because you're a current, former or prospective coaching client, we worked together in the past, we know each other professionally, or we're friends or family and like to support each other. 😉
Regardless of how we know each other, the primary purpose of my newsletters are to further support my coaching clients, continue being of value to those who've landed or started their own businesses, and to give prospective clients a peek at who I am, what it's like to work with me and the value I provide.
Each month I'll be providing tips, strategies and best practices on effectively launching, conducting and wrapping up an effective job search and ensuring you're poised for success as you start your new position. Many of the tips and insights apply to those who have new positions or are considering looking for something new. In true Audie style, I'll sprinkle in some humor, motivation, inspiration, helpful resources, and much more.
I welcome your feedback as well as input and suggestions on what you'd like to see that will be of value to you. Please email me at [email protected].
I hope you enjoy reading these each month and glean something new each time. If you're no longer interested in receiving the monthly newsletters, feel free to unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of this email. I'll be sad, but I still love ya!
In light of the challenges we're facing and adjustments we're making due to the coronavirus, try to enjoy each day and let's celebrate Spring's arrival!
Happy reading! Stay safe and healthy.
Warm regards,
P.S. I invite you to share my newsletter with anyone you feel could benefit from receiving valuable content and insights each month.
P.P.S. To learn more about Your Call To Action and how I help my clients go from being frustrated, burned out, stuck in a toxic environment or worried about being downsized, to feeling excited, valued and re-energized at work (and in their life) again, take a look around my website.
Getting Comfortable with Video Interviewing (and Video Conferencing)
In early March, I wrote a LinkedIn post about how to get comfortable with video interviewing (vs. onsite interviews). Some of you may have seen it.
With the coronavirus in full swing and many companies requiring their teams to work remotely from home, the use of video conferencing, and conferencing in general, has grown significantly. Video conferencing is also a great way to maintain your connection to people and team interaction, as adjusting to working from home can be difficult for some.
Following is my original post along with additional reminders/tips when joining a conference call. Enjoy!
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Interviewing via video conference is common early in the interview process. With the onset of the coronavirus, job seekers will probably find themselves having more of these as the interview process progresses.
Here are 6 tips to help you be more comfortable with video interviews:
- Change your mindset! You're still seeing the person except you're not in the same room! All best practices (i.e. maintain eye contact, friendly demeanor) still apply (minus the handshake!).
- Dress as you would for an onsite interview. First impressions still make a huge difference.
- Breathe! If you're not comfortable with video interviews (or interviewing in general), remember to take full breaths while the other person is talking. When people are nervous, they tend to breathe shallow breaths, which often leads to being out of breath when they talk.
- Be positive! Frame your responses to their questions & questions you ask them in a positive light.
- Prior to your call, sit in your chair facing your laptop screen. Then look behind you. Is it clear, clutter-free & presentable? If not, clean it up! You want the interviewer focused on you, not distracted by your background.
- Create a sticky note like this picture & place it by your laptop camera during your call!
Additional Video Conferencing Tips:
- Find a quiet room in your home where you can close the door and be free from distractions or noises by other family members (that includes the 4-legged kind, too!).
- Remember to turn off email and IM notifications on your laptop prior to your call. You don't want to be distracted by them nor do you want an email or IM to pop up on the screen for all to see (this will happen if you're sharing your screen during the call). Murphy's Law has a way of appearing at the most inopportune time!
- Don't forget to mute your cellphone prior to your call.
- If you're joining a video or audio conference call with a group of people, always be on time (in fact, 5 minutes early is better); and be sure to mute your line throughout the call with the exception of when you're speaking.
For those of you who are actively seeking a new position, do yourself a favor and get professional business cards printed right away. You never know when you might run into someone or be introduced to someone who may be of help to you in your search. Being able to immediately hand them your card is much easier and more professional than scribbling your contact information on a napkin, fumbling to add it to your phone, or taking their card and having to remember to email them your contact information.
What to put on the card? Use the KISS method and keep it simple and professional looking.
What color? Any lighter color or white is recommended.
On the front, put your name, a title (very brief description of who you are and the type of position you're seeking), your phone, email and LinkedIn URL. NOTE: If you are in a creative field and have an online portfolio, add your portfolio website URL as well.
On the back, I highly suggest you leave it blank. This way, people can jot notes to themselves after speaking with you—especially helpful when there's a next step. (This is a great networking tip for you to follow, as well.)
There are a number of online companies that print business cards. Vistaprint is a great source as their variety, quality, service, and pricing is second to none! I have used them for years and have recommended them to many clients, as well. 👍👍👍👍👍 (Full disclosure: I don't gain anything from recommending them!)
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If you are a mid- to senior-level executive and motivated to find your next opportunity (or know someone who is), I'd love to speak with you to better understand your situation, what you're looking to do, and see how I can be of help. |
Each month, I will post a schedule of upcoming events I am running or introduce you to other entrepreneurs I personally know who provide valuable services you (and your family or friends) could benefit from.
This month, I am pleased to share some information about a colleague's business that has to do with a major event in you and your children's lives: COLLEGE!
Imagine the immense frustration of being a 25-year-old college grad with no job and a boatload of debt. That was my story soon after earning a master's degree from Northwestern University. I wondered, "How did I get here?" "How did I make it through undergrad and a master's program without a guidance counselor, academic advisor, coach, or anybody else telling me how this might turn out?" I'm Kevin Krebs, and I founded HelloCollege to help students and parents pave a path to college while also assisting families to be mindful of the escalating costs of higher education. I've spent the last 20 years daring to ask, what if there was more "real" in the college admissions process?
Students in crisis, parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, and classroom guidance requirements leave school counselors with very little time during the instructional day. The average student receives 38 minutes of college planning over all four years of High School. HelloCollege provides students and families with a clear understanding of the connection between the major they choose and their future career, financial strategies, test prep assistance, and a college list that fits their needs. 90% of our students graduate from college within four years compared to the national average of 24% and 96% of our students receive scholarships.
Your Path to College Starts Here. Are you ready to help your student find the right social, academic, financial, and employment fit? Schedule a free consultation with us by calling (630) 708-0732 or visiting https://sayhellocollege.com/schedule-consultation. We would love to hear your story and provide your family with a college readiness plan.
Prior to launching Your Call To Action in 2015, Audie spent over 30 years in technology sales and sales leadership roles working with C-Level and other key stakeholders at Fortune 1000 companies utilizing a consultative and value-based approach to addressing her clients' needs.
Due to the evolving nature of the technology industry, it was common to change companies due to M&A, new leadership coming in and bringing their own team, corporate restructurings, or as a way to advance one's career. Audie became very proficient — and successful — in landing multiple offers each time, and was frequently complimented on how she stood out (in a good way!) from other candidates throughout the interview process.
She leverages her business acumen, consultative and value-based approach to sales, and professional coach training (ICF Certified) in working with clients and delivering her proven methodology, strategies and tips for successfully landing a new position (after all, one needs to sell oneself, right?).
Audie is intuitive, nurturing, and compassionate yet firm—all of the qualities you should want in a coach. She is your accountability partner with a focus on helping you get real results ... and you’ll also have fun along the way!
Want to learn more? Click here to book a Complimentary Strategy Session.
