Videoconference Interview -- Need Tips! (applying, job, interest, office)

[djkkt6]

I've got a videoconference interview in a week and a half, and have never done anything like this before, so I'm reaching out to the great people here in hopes of getting some great tips! The position I'm applying for is in Chicago, I'm interviewing with people at the corporate office in New York, and I'm currently a St. Louis resident. I've already had a phone interview. If you need any other info to help you to provide suggestions please let me know. But really, I'm just looking for tips specific to videoconference interviews. Thanks!

[allforcats]

Congratulations! They already like you, so you're off to a great start!

The basics still apply:
-- dress as you would for a formal face-to-face interview
-- know your stuff
-- SMILE
-- be genuine and/or tell them what you know they want to hear (if you don't know what they want to hear, be genuine)
-- be enthusiastic

The fundamentals always apply: they want someone who knows her or his stuff, who will learn their ways without friction, who's a team player, who wants the job they're looking to fill.

If they make you an offer you don't know what to do about, say you're really interested and to do the offer true justice you'd like to take overnight / over the weekend / a week (whatever is appropriate) to think about it. Nothing's different. People are just in different locations. Pretend you're on Star Trek. The very best to you!

[djkkt6]

Thanks for the advice!

So, basically, treat it as a normal face-to-face interview?

One specific question. Right now, my computer is in a room that's more or less empty aside from my desk. Is that going to be okay to be sitting in an empty room or should I put some things in there? Also, how close to the camera is to close? Do I want to sit far enough away where they can see my whole upper body or is close enough where they can just see my face appropriate?

[JTGJR]

Treat it as a normal interview. Make sure that there will be nothing that can distract you. If you're interviewing from home, make sure the dogs and the family won't disturb you. Close all windows on your computer except ones required for the interview. If you run a chat program, make sure it's shut down. You don't want a "Wassup?" popping up in the middle of your interview. A couple others:

1. Don't stick your face right into the camera.
2. Take notes just like you would in any other interview.
3. Make eye contact with the camera- don't watch yourself on the screen.
4. Make sure there's nothing in the background that you wouldn't want your interviewers to see. If you've received awards from previous positions, hang some of them in the background.

If you're interviewing from one of their local offices, obviously, some of the above does not apply.

Good luck.

[djkkt6]

Thanks for the tips!

[Jesse69]

How'd you arrange for a webcam interview and how'd it go?

[djkkt6]

Originally Posted by Jesse69

How'd you arrange for a webcam interview and how'd it go?

It went incredibly well, thanks! I'm flying in for a face-to-face next week.

What do you mean how did I arrange for it?