It’s All About The First Impression

by admin | Nov 20, 2022 | Uncategorized

Today, the majority of businesses successfully transitioned their hiring and onboarding processes, including job interviews – online. Businesses have adapted to use video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet to conduct meetings, lectures, courses, and seminars, including virtual interviews, offering a more convenient way to meet and connect with candidates online.

The virtual interview has now been established as the new standard for recruitment agents to communicate with the candidates, so as soon as you are informed of your virtual interview, make sure you get ready to stay ahead of the curve and make your preparations, as there’s no second chance to make a good first strong impression.

Simply follow these 6 tips to ace your next virtual job interview:

• Tech check / Test your connection

Online interviews, as compared to conventional face-to-face interviews, have additional technical considerations. And, as much as possible, you should avoid having technical issues with your connections and equipment so that you don’t have to cram and can instead focus on what really matters, the actual job interview.

So whether you will be using a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet, you should ensure that you have a strong internet connection,  your camera and microphone are operational, and that Zoom or all conferencing tools has been installed on your computer. It’s critical that there aren’t any interruptions during your interview.

Showing up to the meeting and your camera failing on you, that’s a bad first impression, it’s not acceptable the excuse that “it was working yesterday”, and it’s not acceptable to ask the interviewer to do the meeting over the phone, they asked you for a virtual meeting for a reason.

• Dress the part

Dress appropriately-even remotely! Sure, only the top half of your body is visible, along with your tidy hair, crisp dress shirt, and beaming smile, but why risk showing your interviewer a part of you that nobody wants to see?

Keep in mind that accidents happen. If you’re wearing a “Donald Duck” outfit, wherein you are just wearing your pajamas below, wouldn’t it be a disaster if you happen to show it?  You don’t want that to happen. Right?. So, put on your best dress and take the interview seriously so that your interviewer will be impressed. You should dress the part just as you would if it were an in-person interview.

• Set the stage

When conducting an online interview, a recruitment manager is likely to base his decision on everything he learns about you, including everything he sees in your background.

It would be ideal if you could find a comfortable spot with a plain wall or neutral colors, and a pleasing scene behind you. A virtual background would also work well in an environment resembling an office-like setting. Whatever background you use, pay attention to the amount of light in your area, and ensure that the light is shining down or in front of you like a spotlight rather than directly behind you. In the days before, test it at your precise appointment time and make any necessary adjustments.

Oh yes, please make sure the camera is positioned well so the interviewer can see you fully and not just your forehead.

• Prepare and don’t rely on your notes

Don’t rely on a cheat sheet, be prepared! Know your resume details, and make some notes about your work history and common interview questions in advance.

While you want to sound prepared, you also don’t want to sound overly scripted. You may keep some tabs and refer to them as needed, but make sure to do your research on the company and the people you’ll be speaking with beforehand, such as their title, role, and direct reports, and come up with questions to ask them so they know you’re engaged and responsive and don’t just rely on the notes available for you.

It’s also a good idea to have responses to typical interview questions on hand, like:

Why are you interested in this role?
What do you know about our company?
What are your biggest weaknesses?
What do you consider to be your biggest professional achievement?
Tell me about a challenge at work and how you dealt with it.
What are you looking for in a new position?
Why are you leaving your current role?

• Minimize distractions

Perform a practice interview beforehand, and test your connection, lighting, and background to ensure that you have a pleasant environment in which to conduct your virtual interview. This will provide a clear assessment of your interview space by ensuring that you have a clean, quiet area of your living space where you can take the call.

It is critical that the call should be as free of distractions as possible. If you are at home, notify everyone that you will need a distraction-free space for a while, close the door if possible, silence your cell phone, close any nearby windows to muffle neighborhood traffic, and inform the people with you that you will not be accepting any interruptions during your interview. This will demonstrate not only your readiness but also your willingness to present a professional image.

• Relax, be calm, and be steady

While it’s true that being well-prepared for a virtual interview will help you come across favorably, keep in mind that mistakes do occur. Try not to overthink before, during, and after the interview.

As soon as you walk into the virtual interview space, you may start to feel anxious and nervous. And it is normal just like how face-to-face interviews happen. So instead of cramming and losing your focus, try to keep them under your control. You don’t want to sound robotic throughout your interview, whether answering or asking questions or giving your pitch. Keep in mind everything you practiced, speak slowly and clearly, and don’t rush. If they pose a question that confounds you, pause to consider your response.

Remember that being genuine allows them to see that you are the ideal candidate, and being prepared will help you get even closer to successfully receiving a job offer.

Key Takeaway:

Having a virtual interview can be challenging, your enthusiasm for the job through a screen makes it more difficult for a recruiter to see and decide whether you would fit well with their company’s culture.

However, having a solid preparation plan and being aware of online interview etiquette will help you succeed. So to stand out from the crowd and ace your next virtual interview, make sure your technology is functional, prepare yourself and your setting before the meeting, and sit down at your computer poised, nicely dressed, and ready to respond confidently to any questions that may arise.

Are you trying to prepare for a new job or change careers entirely? Visit our website and check our many amazing job opportunities at Supreme Staffing Group

Before Accepting a Job Offer, Think About It!

by admin | Nov 1, 2022 | Uncategorized

Congratulations – you got the job! It means you’ve proven your worth and demonstrated that you’re a valuable asset to your new employer, the company thought you were impactful enough to hire to get you on board, and that’s a big deal! 

However,  it is important to remember that there are countless factors to consider before accepting a job offer, the type of position, compensation, and benefits are just a few considerations. This is especially important if you’re starting in your career or deciding whether to accept a new role. 

So before you sign on the dotted line, and accept the job offer, consider these 7 factors :

• Does the job offer career growth opportunities?

Whether you feel like you fit the role and you are happy staying put in that position or if you plan on moving up a rung on the ladder for the next 5 years, whatever your plan is, make sure that considering your career growth is at the top of your list. 

If you intend to advance in your career, ask the company, “Is there any way for you to advance in that organization?” Giving your clear intention will not only allow you to thrive in your career goals, but it will also give the employer insight into the fact that you want to know that your hard work and talent can earn you a promotion.

•  Is the compensation offer reasonable?

The compensation offered might be suitable for you, but is the remuneration fair?  

When deciding to accept a job offer, the compensation should be carefully considered. Other than evaluating how much your skills and experience are truly worth, take a minute and check the list of job positions and salary benchmarks in every industry at website like  www.salary.com to get a good idea of the average salary bands in your industry, position, location, and company.

Considering an offer higher the going rate for that kind of responsibility are also not good, it might be very tempting to get that job, but if it looks too good to be true, then don’t take it, there is something hidden, and that’s why they are offering a salary higher than usual, it will hunt you in the end.

• Does the company location work for you?

If you are a job seeker who is unwilling to go anywhere. Accepting a job offer might be heavily influenced by its location. Sometimes even if you enjoy your job but dislike the location, it can create a real dilemma.

A dilemma of easily becoming burned out, perhaps not because of work and responsibilities, but because if you have to travel more than 40 minutes to get to your company’s location, you have less time to spend with your family, friends, and even just for yourself. Remember, there just isn’t enough time in our day. Now, if the company’s location is too far away, and you have to travel long, relocate and find a new place to live, or sell your current home and buy another, think about it! Make some location points that you only consider before accepting the job offer. After all, choosing the right job location can have a significant impact on your job success.

• How well-defined is the position?

In the excitement of the moment, your initial reaction to receiving a job offer may be to accept it right away. However, take some time to learn about the position and make sure you understand your role in the company.

Make sure you understand exactly what the company expects from you. If they make vague statements about what the offered position is, what the responsibilities are, and what the ultimate goals of the position will be, it could be an indication that the company is missing in direction, which can be frustrating for you. Consider requesting a detailed job specification, which will provide you with a clear description and the demands of your position.

• Highly consider the PEOPLE!

While it’s essential to consider the job itself, it’s also crucial to consider if you would like working with the people in their organization, the same people you will likely spend up to 40 hours a week. 

Consider asking a few questions to your interviewer about the people in their organization, work practices, event celebrations, or how they pursue employee engagement. You can also research the company culture and values to determine the type of workplace you will be entering. Look at the company’s social media platforms and see how they frequently share photos of company events and even work for parties. You may also request references from people who work for the company to learn more about the working environment and to get a sense of the people who work there, how they interact, and what the social atmosphere is like.

• Is the job offer aligned with your values and interests?

If you’re considering accepting an offer and are wondering whether this job is right for you, one of the most important factors to consider is if the job offer aligns with your values and interests.

If you’re to accept the new job, think about if the work aligns with your values and interests. If this isn’t clear, start by asking yourself which aspects of the job would challenge or inspire you, and which might not be so exciting. If you are going to work at this company for the next few years, consider how you will stay motivated throughout your career.

• Always check the detailed contract.

Some job offers may sound fantastic when discussed openly in person or during interviews, including the compensation packages, perks, and privileges. Never, however, assume that you and the company have reached an agreement until you have your detailed contract in hand.

Don’t just accept the offer—make sure all the job entails and everything discussed are documented. Title, department, location, reporting line, work hours, vacation entitlement, salary, benefits, start date, and other details should be considered.  

Conclusion

While receiving a job offer can be exciting, accepting or declining is a serious decision that can dictate your career path. Carefully consider the 7 factors before accepting a job offer that will impact your career for many years to come.

Haven’t you found a worthwhile job yet? There are many amazing job opportunities at Supreme Staffing Group