We are all living through extraordinary times that have brought major changes to our way of life. We are also having to adapt to new ways of working and recruiting. As a local authority we have a duty to ensure that we maintain essential services for the community we serve. Therefore, we are continuing our recruitment efforts into key areas, aided by technology.
If you have been selected to attend a video interview for one of our roles, well done! We look forward to seeing you – virtually – soon.
Whether you are an expert at video interviews or have never experienced one before, we want you to feel comfortable the day and have compiled some top tips to help you prepare and feel confident for your upcoming interview.
Prepare and test your technology
To attend a video interview, you need to use a device that has a camera and microphone as well as an internet connection. We use Microsoft Teams to conduct our video interviews and we advise you to download the application so that you can get used to its feature and practise meetings as needed in advance of the interview. Please download Microsoft Teams to your device and follow the instructions on your screen to install the application. We will send you a calendar invite by email to confirm the date and time of your interview, this will also contain a Teams meeting link. You need to click on the link in the email to connect to the interviewers at the specified time.
Before the interview, you should test the device and Microsoft Team application if you have downloaded it. Make sure that the camera shows a clear picture and sound quality is good, and that your internet connection is stable.
On the day of the interview ensure your device is charged or plugged in so that your battery does not run out. We advise you switch everything on at least half an hour before the interview to give yourself time to sign in and get settled in plenty of time.
If you have technical issues at any point and it is unlikely that they can be resolved in time for your interview, please contact our Recruitment and Talent Team on 0161 793 3955, option 1. A member of the team will be able to assist with arranging an alternative interview method.
Choose a suitable location
You should plan in advance where the interview will take place and, if possible, choose a location that is quiet.
You can choose to show your background during your interview. Alternatively, Microsoft Teams offers the option to blur your background showing only yourself on screen. You can also test this feature beforehand and decide the settings that you are most comfortable with. You can access the feature by clicking on the 3 dots that appear on the horizontal bar in the middle of your screen. If you cannot see the bar, you should hover your mouse slightly over the screen to make it appear.
We would also advise to close any tabs, windows or applications that may play notifications sounds, and put your phone on silent so that you do not get distracted during your interview.
Prepare yourself
You should dress for your video interview as you would for an in-person one. Body language is also important, and you should remember to try and look at the screen or camera when the interviewer is speaking. Digital connections can be delayed so please be mindful that there may be a second or two delay. When speaking try to keep a steady pace so that the microphone can pick up what you are saying. Should it be needed, MS Teams has a live caption feature that enables subtitles during a call, this can be accessed by clicking on the 3 dots on the call horizontal bar as described above.
You should be prepared to answer questions based on the role profile or job description provided as you would for an in-person interview. You should not use Google or other search engines during your interview to avoid getting distracted and looking unprofessional.
Final review
Alongside the detailed guidance, here is a quick checklist you can review to ensure you are fully prepared for your interview:
- Have a suitable device connected to the internet
- Test your technology well in advance
- Where possible, have the interview in a suitable quiet location
- Disable any visual or audio distractions
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Be mindful of your body language, try to look at the camera and screen and act as you would at an in-person interview
- Be prepared to answer questions related to the role profile or job description advertised
- If you encounter issues, try not to worry arrange through our team an alternative way to continue with the interview
- Smile, relax and give it your best!
We wish you the best of luck with your interview!