Online recruitment has been a necessity for many businesses over the past 18 months. With most offices closed in the wake of Covid-19 restrictions, organisations have had to take their recruitment process online, holding virtual interviews via video conferencing rather than in-person.
Indeed, a survey by Gartner found that, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, 86% of organisations were conducting online interviews to hire new candidates.
Hiring team members online looks unlikely to come to an end, even as the pandemic subsides. Remote working is taking root – 73% of workers want to split their time between home and the office post-pandemic – meaning that online recruitment will remain an essential part of the job application process.
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Whilst working remotely is not new, interviewing for a job behind a computer screen is still unfamiliar territory. And if it’s to become as ubiquitous as working from home, then getting up-to-speed with virtual interviewing best practises is vital – especially for next gen workers.
How online recruitment affects next gen workers
Traditionally, school and college leavers are taught essential employment skills such as how to write an effective CV, search for jobs, and ace in-person interviews. Whilst many of the foundations of job hunting remain the same, such as browsing online job boards for open positions and checking that the job description matches your skillset, the evolving world of work – in part due to the effects of the pandemic – is changing the interview and selection process. And the next generation of workers will potentially be the first to experience the full effects of these changes.
Claromentis CTO Mike Christian saw this first hand when he recently volunteered at Ardingly College, located just 20 miles north of our Brighton offices. The college hosted an online event for their students called the “One Day Job Challenge”, inviting local business owners to share their real-life knowledge of the recruitment process and how to adapt to the changes the pandemic has brought with it.
Mike Christian, CTO at Claromentis says:
“The pandemic has changed the business landscape. Recruiting from global talent, conducting interviews online, and managing the application process through a streamlined recruitment portal will became the default standard.
“I feel delighted and privileged to be part of this project and get the chance to talk to these young talents. They have such awareness and remarkable drive to create a better world.”
The event covered fundamentals – updated for post-pandemic work – such as submitting an application via online recruiting software, being selected through an applicant tracking system, before finally attending a mock virtual interview.
Here are some of the online interview tips Mike shared on the day:
Online recruitment tips for next gen workers
1. Make eye contact
Eye contact is super important in any interview scenario, but behind a computer screen, be mindful that minor cues – such as your eyes darting around – are amplified. In person, the interviewer can learn a lot from your overall body language; it’s different in a virtual interview. Everything is focussed on your upper body, so it’s essential that you’re aware of your facial expressions and maintain eye contact when appropriate.
2. Smile
Smiling is contagious – it’s almost impossible not to smile when others are, so start the interview on a good footing by being friendly and positive. This will help you (and possibly the interviewer) relax as well as create a sense of calm and confidence throughout the interview.
3. Be authentic and genuine
Gone are the days when “being a perfectionist” was considered a good answer to a question about your weaknesses.
Being honest and showing your desire to learn and improve yourself will impress the interviewer so much more than a clichéd response.
4. Turn up on time
A simple trick, but one that is very easily missed. Save time by setting yourself a reminder ahead of the interview and, on the day, sign-in a few minutes early to iron out any technical issues. If you can no longer attend your interview due to other commitments, make sure you let the relevant people know. Courtesy goes a long way.
5. Do your homework
It’s important that you do your research about the company you’re looking to work for. Sign up for a free trial of their product, check out their company website and social media platforms, and read customer reviews. Get familiar with what the business does to show that you’re enthusiastic about the job.
