I'm Ashley.
If you're watching this video, it's a safe bet
that you're preparing for a job interview
and feel like you need a little help.
Your interview is also likely to be virtual i.e.
a remote video call.
To get hired in today's job market,
it is essential to master the art of the virtual interview.
And in this video, you'll get to learn by example.
I'll share how I prepare, offer a few little tips and tricks.
And you'll get to see an actual interview from start to finish.
Don't worry we're going to help you get really good at these.
This is Job Science.
So today I will be interviewing for the role of a marketing
copywriter at a trendy athleisure company.
Although, virtual interviews do come with some new challenges,
the fundamentals of what make for a successful interview
remain the same.
So we'll be focusing on the old and the new.
And for those of you who might be
doing pre-recorded interviews, keep in mind
that a lot of what we cover here today
can be applied to that format as well.
Welcome to my bedroom.
Some people prefer to do their work
from home in either the kitchen or the family room.
That is no good if you've got roommates or family members
flying in and out, especially for making
that first impression.
I recommend that you use a secluded room with a door
you can shut like your bedroom.
That way, you can control the environment.
Video calls are a window into who we are.
So I like to make sure that my background is clean and tidy.
This is also a simple and subtle opportunity for me
to reveal a little bit about myself.
I also don't want to sit too close or too far away
from the camera.
And it's usually most flattering if you
can be lit from the front, either natural window
light or a lamp placed right at or slightly above your face,
and watch out for brightly lit windows behind you.
They can create that dark silhouette effect.
The goal here is to achieve even lighting
on both me and the entire room.
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And we would love to know what makes you feel confident
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Please jump into the comment section below.
Now, I like to double check my computer and video software
settings and be sure and test all that Wi-Fi strength.
We don't want your call to freeze during the interview.
So now, that I'm all set up, it's
time for me to think about what I want to say.
Before any interview, I always like to do a little research.
I want to make sure I know the basics about the business,
any recent news headlines, and most importantly, the job
description.
The goal is to sound natural and not too rehearsed.
So I also like to put together a quick cheat sheet
with some bulleted notes tailored to the role
rather than memorizing answers.
You'll want to consider strengths, weaknesses,
work style, and career goals.
It also helps if you can prepare some anecdotes
from your current or a recent job,
may be a problem you solved, your special achievement.
I'm also going to write down 3 to 5 questions of my own.
Asking questions conveys enthusiasm
and also signals that I've done my homework
and want to learn more.
And even though I'll be working from home,
I think it's important to dress professionally.
Wardrobe style is different for everyone.
So you should think about what that
means for you and for the role.
I aim for one step up from how I would normally dress for work
since this is an interview.
The sweats and the PJs will be there after it's over.
It's time.
Now, if you're still not feeling ready,
check out our video on how to answer tricky interview
questions by clicking this link right here.
OK.
Let's do this.
Don't forget to silence your cell phone and desktop
notifications before logging in.
Hey, Ashley.
There you are Thanks for sitting down with me today.
Hi, Joe.
So nice to finally meet you.
So how's your day going so far?
Pretty good.
Thanks for asking except that my dog
caused quite a scene on our walk this morning.
Oh, no.
I know how that goes.
I have a Frenchie, and she can be a handful.
Let's pause for a second.
So he likes dogs.
Awesome.
Engaging in small talk can help you find some common ground.
Pets, the weather, it can be just about anything as long
as you keep it brief and professional.
I also made it a point to repeat his name.
People subconsciously appreciate that and saying it out loud
will actually help you remember his name.
Also, I think the small talk is going well,
but I think my body language is revealing how nervous I am.
So I'm going to take a moment to stop fidgeting with my hair
and biting my nails.
If you're like me and have nervous tics,
it's OK to glance at yourself in the monitor
while you're talking on screen to make little adjustments
during your interview.
Can you tell me a little bit more about yourself
and why do you think you'd be a good addition to the team?
Well, I have a background in writing web and email
copy for fitness products, and I'm
good at generating clever calls to action that deliver results.
For example, my copy significantly
increased our click through rates and sales rose over
20% last quarter alone.
I'm looking to join a team that will allow me to contribute
and grow even more.
And because you're in the athleisure space,
I think that my skills and experience would be an asset.
That's great to hear, Ashley.
Our email copy could use a face lift.
That said, there are a lot of cooks
in the kitchen that make it tough for us to radically shift
our brand voice.
I wonder if you could share an example
of a challenge or a problem you faced
and how were you able to solve it.
Whoa.
That took a turn.
Now, I mentioned earlier that it's
good to have an anecdote handy.
And then I completely forgot to prepare one of my notes.
But that's OK.
I'm just going to take a breath and do
my best to be transparent while showing some self-awareness.
Well, I don't have an example off the top of my head,
but I'm always trying to think outside the box
when my team and I get stuck.
Actually, that just reminded me.
There was this one wearable product that was actually
really hard to get people interested in
and everybody knew it.
When my boss put me on it, at first,
I was pretty intimidated.
But then I realized I'm not the target demographic,
my parents are.
So I asked them what they liked about the product,
and that inspired some new talking points.
That copy is actually one of my favorite writing samples.
And, yes, as a result of the new copy,
the product started selling.
Goes to show the power of good copy.
I love to take a look at that sample.
Can you email it to me later?
Absolutely.
So I took a moment and decided to talk about one
of my strengths, outside-the-box thinking.
Thanks mainly to my cheat sheet.
And as you saw, it jogged my memory
inadvertently about a specific win from my current job
and now the hiring manager wants to see it.
So it sounds like you're doing really well over there.
Why do you want to leave?
To be honest, I'm part of a pretty large
soulless corporation, and I'm starting
to feel like a cog in the wheel.
My boss also isn't the sharpest tool in the shed,
if you know I mean?
[CHUCKLES]
[MOUTH SOUND]
Whoa.
Time out.
OK.
That didn't feel right.
Even though I'm not happy with my current situation
or my boss, I don't want to gossip.
That's not me, and it's not what I'll be like if I get this job.
So let me try that again.
So it sounds like you're doing really well over there.
Why do you want to leave?
Well, I've learned a lot, but I feel
like it's time for me to branch out and challenge myself
in new ways.
I also want to work with the smaller team
than I'm part of now.
That makes total sense.
Well, we are a smaller company and our CEO
has always made it a point to foster
more tightly knit departments, including the creative team.
We're also having a great year so far, so there's
ample room for someone in this role
to grow right along with us.
This has been a great conversation.
What questions do you have for me?
Notice how he didn't ask me if I had any questions.
That's right.
It's implied that you should at least have a couple.
This is where my cheat sheet comes in really handy.
We also have an entire video dedicated to questions
to ask your interviewer.
It sure sounds like a great opportunity.
What are your employees like best about working here?
Well, we make it a great point to take good care of our people
and to listen and respond to their needs.
It's a positive, collaborative working environment
for everyone from the CEO to the interns.
Everyone's input is valued.
That sounds ideal.
I'd love to get a sense of what the company's goals are
over the next year beyond just growth.
Are there any big initiatives I should be aware of
and how this role will contribute to that success?
Great question, Ashley.
The short answer is that we're launching a entirely new line
of more affordable price activewear targeting
the 18 to 24 age demographic.
There are a lot of big plans for the rollout.
But I'm afraid we'll have to save
those details for a future conversation with you.
Fair enough.
And I like the sound of that.
Do you have any more questions for me?
No.
I think that covers it.
Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today, Joe.
It was my pleasure, Ashley.
Take care.
OK.
It's over.
I did it, and it honestly wasn't as bad
as I thought it was going to be.
If you start to feel stressed or nervous,
try to remember that interviewing
is a two-way street.
You're not just there to present yourself.
You're also learning about the role and whether
or not working for this company feels right for you.
Whatever happens next, we hope to see you one step closer
to landing that dream job.
If you found this video helpful, make sure
that you hit the like button down below,
subscribe to our channel over here, and, of course,
hit the notification bell.
So you don't miss out on our weekly career tips.
For more Job Science, I recommend checking out
the series playlist here.
And for more help with virtual interviews,
you can watch this video.
See you next time.