Online Job Interview

[Grogger]

Currentley looking at finding a new engineering job as I leave the Navy next spring and have applied for a few positions over the last week or so.

Just had an email from one place asking me to do a pre recorded video interview with them.

Has anyone ever done one of these before? From my undersatanding they just put a question up on the screen and I have to give an answer to it. It's not a live one in front of an interviewer.

Absolutley bricking it as I've not had an interview for about 12 years and this isn't even a face to face interview :mmm:

 

[pbrown7582]

In similar boat being under redundancy notice I had 1st face to face interview last week was a wreck before hand! Not sure I like the idea of an online video link.
Good luck with the search.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Currentley looking at finding a new engineering job as I leave the Navy next spring and have applied for a few positions over the last week or so.

Just had an email from one place asking me to do a pre recorded video interview with them.

Has anyone ever done one of these before? From my undersatanding they just put a question up on the screen and I have to give an answer to it. It's not a live one in front of an interviewer.

Absolutley bricking it as I've not had an interview for about 12 years and this isn't even a face to face interview :mmm:

Presumably they don't give you the questions in advance so you can't prepare answers?

Assuming not, I would prepare for it in the same way as I would any other interview:

1. Make sure you know exactly what job you're applying for and keep this in mind when answering qu's so you can be certain the answer you're giving is relevant;

2. Research the company and industry in question and try and drop a few relevant things into your answers to show off your knowledge;

3. Know your CV off the top of your head;

4. Prepare a list of relevant examples of things you have done in your role in the Navy to illustrate and embelish your answers. Aim to refer to a real life example of one of your experiences in the answer to each question, but don't refer to the same one more than once (so think of as many as possible!). I try to think of examples around the core competencies that most employers are looking for: e.g. teamwork, leadership, decision making, difficult situations etc. but again, making sure they're relevant to the role for which you're applying. Make sure in these examples you pick out what your role was and how you influenced the outcome - saying you were part of a successful team is one thing, but much better to explain what your crucial role was in that team!

When it comes to the interview itself, take your time. If you need a few seconds to think and plan what you're going to say, just say "I need a moment to think about that", much better than babbling on or going off on a tangent.

The hardest thing about this format is the interviewer won't be able to help you stay on topic if you start to deviate, so make sure you keep the question that has been asked in your mind throughout your answer and don't be afraid to over explain things. If it helps you could even repeat the question back before answering. If you're not sure what the question means exactly, don't panic, just say what you think it means back to the camera and answer the question you think has been asked.

Overall, try and stay relaxed and calm, take your time, don't be afraid to pause - try to speak clearly and confidently with something of a smile - first impressions even in a video are crucial. The better prepared you are the easier it is to be calm.

Sorry - that's a bit of a brain dump!

 

[Dan2501]

I did one recently. You went onto the site it gave you all the questions in a list and when you were ready to provide your answers, you clicked the question and clicked "record my answer". Was pretty weird, but not overly challenging. Imagine it'll be pretty similar to that. If you get the opportunity, prepare your answers, but don't write a script. Then be clear and concise, don't waffle just because it says you're allowed 5 mins. All my answers said 5 or 7 mins allowed and I didn't go longer than 2 mins on any of them, and I got the job, so must have done alright!

 

[Rooter]

I have been interviewed over skype video before, for my current job actually! not a pre recorded thing though... Sounds a good idea from the employers side, great time effective way of separating the wheat from the chaff!

 

[drdel]

Do you want to work for a company who treats people this way.

If you need to participate in this style of interview I'd suggest to install a good voice recognition software package on your computer (I use a package called "Dragon Dictate" for wiring my reports; Window 10 has the capability built in); it'll type much faster than you and spell correctly. Practise dictating a bit beforehand.

 

[Grogger]

Cheers for all the advice everyone! A bit to take in but all makes sense.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I left the RAF just over two years ago and was nervous as hell when I was searching for a job

When I got my first interview I was in pieces etc

But in the end there was nothing to worry about - be yourself and ensure you can back up your CV - remember in the military you will be able to provide real life scenarios that just can't be seen in civvy street

And the one biggest tip - don't be afraid to sell yourself - it was an alien concept for me because in the military it's one big team as opposed to being about yourself and military people aren't very self appreciating but don't be afraid to boast about yourself

Be yourself and good luck - any company will be enhanced by your experience

 

[ColchesterFC]

I work in the offshore industry - oil, gas and wind farms - and work with a lot of former Navy personnel. Obviously I don't know your background or whether it's something you'd even consider but there are a lot of different roles that could be open to you. If you want any info drop me a PM and I can put you in touch with some people that can talk you through what could be available.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Your inbox is full Gregg so I can't reply to your PM. I'm flying home from a job in Finland today so will try to reply again tonight once I get home.

 

[Crazyface]

Christ alive don't sweat about it. If you got the job, in six months time it would just be a job and you'll be on the look out for the next one !!!!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Not so sure about the 'sell youself' aspect. Don't go overboard.

I got one job and afterwards the Chairman said that he liked the way I said 'we' and not 'I' when referring to successful ventures.

Anyway, good luck. Remember to pause for thought and breaths and don't wear white socks.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Not so sure about the 'sell youself' aspect. Don't go overboard.

I got one job and afterwards the Chairman said that he liked the way I said 'we' and not 'I' when referring to successful ventures.

Anyway, good luck. Remember to pause for thought and breaths and don't wear white socks.

After going through a career transition workshop when leaving the RAF - every single job will have th possibility of hundreds of applicants

You need to sell yourself - everyone else will be and if you don't sell yourself you get left behind

I have recently conducted interviews for new staff and they all had to sell themselves and tell us why they should get the job

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Is it not the job of the interviewer to draw those conclusions after interview

For example a shy introvert may be the ideal person for the job advertised.
Wheras a person who is full of 'I am' may be ideal for a sales/PR type position.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Is it not the job of the interviewer to draw those conclusions after interview

For example a shy introvert may be the ideal person for the job advertised.
Wheras a person who is full of 'I am' may be ideal for a sales/PR type position.

When you have ten or more interviews per day the person needs to stand out - you have short window

Just because someone sells themselves doesn't mean they are "i am" nor does it point to a specific job ?

Can I ask when you last had or conducted an interview ?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

When you have ten or more interviews per day the person needs to stand out - you have short window

Just because someone sells themselves doesn't mean they are "i am" nor does it point to a specific job ?

Can I ask when you last had or conducted an interview ?

10 years ago, but I have done loads in my time.
10 a day, I used to do double that when appointing seasonal staff.

Why are things so different now?

I once had nearly 200 applicants for a mechanic's job shortly after the BREL works closed.
The guy I appointed was a loner/introvert and was a superb employee for nearly 20 years. He built up a great workstation and saved us a fortune over that time.
He interviewed really badly and would have made a dreadful receptionist or starter.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yes things are different now - the interview is the most crucial part and if you don't interview well then you have next to no chance of getting a job

 

[Rooter]

Yes things are different now - the interview is the most crucial part and if you don't interview well then you have next to no chance of getting a job

and if you dont have a decent CV, you dont stand a chance of getting an interview! (i know its not the point of this post, however i thought relevant)

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I disagree, as I said before therein lies the skills of the interviewer.
Selection of candidates [weeding out] prior to interview is the crucial part.
Checking details [lies] on CV,s etc.

I used to be staggered at how many candidates achieved O levels at school before they had been introduced.

 

[Hobbit]

I left the RAF just over two years ago and was nervous as hell when I was searching for a job

When I got my first interview I was in pieces etc

But in the end there was nothing to worry about - be yourself and ensure you can back up your CV - remember in the military you will be able to provide real life scenarios that just can't be seen in civvy street

And the one biggest tip - don't be afraid to sell yourself - it was an alien concept for me because in the military it's one big team as opposed to being about yourself and military people aren't very self appreciating but don't be afraid to boast about yourself

Be yourself and good luck - any company will be enhanced by your experience

It has to be relevant. I've recruited quite a bit in the last 15 yrs, done a hundred or more interviews and seen hundreds of CV's. The CV has to be tidy. It has to have the right qualifications, and it has (hopefully) to have the right experiences. Yes, an individual has to sell themselves, but if they come across as pushy they might not fit into a team - seriously unbalancing the current group dynamic is the very last thing a manager wants to do. There will be the usual "forming" issues when a new team member comes on-board but conflict is the last thing you need.

By all means try and relate Service experiences to civvy street but it can be a turn off if someone from the forces tells you in a pushy manner why their experiences will improve your organisation. There has to be a balance and a delivery to how a candidate sells themself. Telling a prospective employer you can revolutionise an already successful business is basically telling that manager he's doing a rubbish job.