What to Bring to a (Skype) Interview
The Oz market is now open for hiring! My profile on Linked In finally landed an interview for the kind of role I'm really interested in.
Some of the things I could have done a lot better:
1. Bring in more light/ color: The interview took place over Skype and I noticed an absence of bright colors and light to enliven the conversation. A dash of color in the pocket square coupled with suitable lighting would have helped in creating much better ambiance.
More caffeine and warmer clothing would have helped make more comfortable and brought out a more natural smile (since the interview took place at 3 am in my local timezone). The placement of the camera should be at eye-level and remember to 'look in the eye' more by looking into the camera from time to time.
2. Create more rapport: Most conversations usually start of with the 'how do you pronounce your name' question. Rather than dismissing it off quickly, this is a great way to break the ice. Could compliment them on pronouncing correctly and explain to them how pronouncing differently could easily mean something else.
Make sure to have a few laughs and keep the conversation chatty and light before moving into more serious talk. The milestone achievement here should be to get on a first-name basis with your interviewer and utter the name at least once of everyone else in the immediate social circle you're dealing with (with suitable titles). Also ask about anyone who may be missing from the conversation.
3. Have an interesting and well-developed storyline about your background: When asked to describe, try not to rattle of dry and boring educational/ work achievements. Use the space to narrate an exciting and vivid story about how you've come to apply to for this position following your journey so far, bringing in some flavors of romance from the Aussie psyche - for e.g. talk about the countries you've visited and the adventures you've been in.
Show them you're a real person with an engaging personality who can be a friend as well as a colleague. Why you're applying for the role should be a no-brainer as the conclusion of the story.
Obviously you would have researched the company, the role and the people beforehand to know the best story to tell for your audience.
4. Have a spontaneous list of clear achievements for each relevant project you use as an example of your capabilities for the role. Don't just talk about what you did, or flash trophies - show them how the organization used what you created to improve their strategy with tangible results.
5. Ask to connect on Linked In and get email address of the person to send a thank-you note to. If the interview has gone really well, you should share a warm buzz with the interviewer and be pretty sure you will be in touch - even if you are not hired in this specific role.
Things I got right:
1. Utilized the Skype platform to showcase a portfolio of relevant examples. Don't just tell them what you did, show them. And this time round don't forget to have tangible results at hand to prove how useful it was.
2. Sent in a thank you note to reinforce specifically what you will do, e.g. translate data into strategic insights for their client. Your notes from the interview should have captured specifically what they need from you and how you can exceed their expectations, so be sure to summarize in your message.
So here's the checklist for what to bring in to the interview next time:
1. A suit with dash of color and reflection
2. A smile
3. A personality
4. A story
5. Good lighting (in a Skype call)
5. A pen and pad to note down what they need from you
6. A portfolio
7. Ready answers to 'how did the company use this/ how did it help them?' for each portfolio item
Some of the things I could have done a lot better:
1. Bring in more light/ color: The interview took place over Skype and I noticed an absence of bright colors and light to enliven the conversation. A dash of color in the pocket square coupled with suitable lighting would have helped in creating much better ambiance.
More caffeine and warmer clothing would have helped make more comfortable and brought out a more natural smile (since the interview took place at 3 am in my local timezone). The placement of the camera should be at eye-level and remember to 'look in the eye' more by looking into the camera from time to time.
2. Create more rapport: Most conversations usually start of with the 'how do you pronounce your name' question. Rather than dismissing it off quickly, this is a great way to break the ice. Could compliment them on pronouncing correctly and explain to them how pronouncing differently could easily mean something else.
Make sure to have a few laughs and keep the conversation chatty and light before moving into more serious talk. The milestone achievement here should be to get on a first-name basis with your interviewer and utter the name at least once of everyone else in the immediate social circle you're dealing with (with suitable titles). Also ask about anyone who may be missing from the conversation.
3. Have an interesting and well-developed storyline about your background: When asked to describe, try not to rattle of dry and boring educational/ work achievements. Use the space to narrate an exciting and vivid story about how you've come to apply to for this position following your journey so far, bringing in some flavors of romance from the Aussie psyche - for e.g. talk about the countries you've visited and the adventures you've been in.
Show them you're a real person with an engaging personality who can be a friend as well as a colleague. Why you're applying for the role should be a no-brainer as the conclusion of the story.
Obviously you would have researched the company, the role and the people beforehand to know the best story to tell for your audience.
4. Have a spontaneous list of clear achievements for each relevant project you use as an example of your capabilities for the role. Don't just talk about what you did, or flash trophies - show them how the organization used what you created to improve their strategy with tangible results.
5. Ask to connect on Linked In and get email address of the person to send a thank-you note to. If the interview has gone really well, you should share a warm buzz with the interviewer and be pretty sure you will be in touch - even if you are not hired in this specific role.
Things I got right:
1. Utilized the Skype platform to showcase a portfolio of relevant examples. Don't just tell them what you did, show them. And this time round don't forget to have tangible results at hand to prove how useful it was.
2. Sent in a thank you note to reinforce specifically what you will do, e.g. translate data into strategic insights for their client. Your notes from the interview should have captured specifically what they need from you and how you can exceed their expectations, so be sure to summarize in your message.
So here's the checklist for what to bring in to the interview next time:
1. A suit with dash of color and reflection
2. A smile
3. A personality
4. A story
5. Good lighting (in a Skype call)
5. A pen and pad to note down what they need from you
6. A portfolio
7. Ready answers to 'how did the company use this/ how did it help them?' for each portfolio item
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