September 17, 2020
Post Image

The COVID-19 pandemic has made securing a job after graduation much more difficult. It takes the average college graduate 3-6 months to find a job, and even then, about 50 percent of graduates do not find employment or are working in a job that does not require a college degree.

One factor that will significantly raise the chances of getting hired after college is an impressive interview with a prospective employer. Because of social distancing precautions, many job interviews are now taking place on the phone or over video conference calls.

Here are five video interview tips for new college graduates searching for their first job.

    1. Learn the software. If your video interview is taking place on Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts or another video conferencing software, make sure you understand how the platform works ahead of time. If you are unfamiliar with the particular software, download it and play around with it before your interview.
    2. Arrive early. Even if you have to be granted access to the video conference room, arrive at the digital waiting room 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled call. This will demonstrate to your interviewer that you respect their time and your own.
    3. Dress professionally. Even though you might be participating in the video interview from your bedroom or living room, dress as if you already have the position and are going into the office for a day’s work. This will show your future employer that you take the position seriously.
    4. Choose the right background. Conduct your interview from a quiet place with plenty of natural light. Make sure you do not have a bright light, such as a window or lamp, behind you as this will create a dark shadow on your face and be distracting to the interviewer. Try to choose a neutral background, such as a plain wall.

Create a digital portfolio. If you have samples of your work, put them into a digital portfolio, such as a website, that can be easily shared with your interviewer during your video call. If you have digital examples or photographs of projects you have completed, make sure to keep them handy so you can share your video screen and present them to your interviewer if the need arises.