We’re always excited to hear from international candidates with public sector experience. Many people in our talent pool are Kiwi expatriates planning to return to New Zealand once they find a suitable job.

One popular way of interviewing international candidates is to use webcam and video conferencing software. This is usually cheaper than travelling long distances to do an interview—and it’s almost always more convenient for the candidate. Video interviews will usually require the candidate to go to a video conferencing location that has been booked by the employer, but webcam interviews can be done from the comfort of the candidate’s home.

A webcam interview may often be the final interview in the recruitment process, especially when the candidate is currently based in a different country.

So what are our top tips when it comes to webcam and video interviewing?

• Always do a test-run first, either with the employer or with a friend who also has webcam software. You don’t want to find out your webcam is broken five minutes before the real interview!
• Treat the webcam interview the same way you’d treat a formal interview. Wear the same clothes you’d wear if you were meeting the employers in person.
• Practice for your interview—think about the ways you plan to answer questions quickly and succinctly. (Remember the ‘STAR’ format!) As you can’t rely on body language and presence as much in an online interview, make sure that you can convey what you need to say in an engaging way.
• Do as much preparation as you can—you can check our page on preparing for a government job interview for more information.
• Try to keep still as possible, and make sure there’s minimal background noise. Rustling and fidgeting can be distracting to employers, and to you.
• Remember that webcam technology isn’t always perfect—if you’re using a program like Skype for your interview, you may experience some time-lag when you’re talking. Make sure you talk clearly and loudly so your voice will be easily picked up by the microphone.
• Don’t let yourself get frustrated by technology. If you are having problems with the software, let your interviewers know. You may be able to continue the interview in a different way, or reschedule for a later date.

Most of all, remember to relax! Some people find webcam and video interviews more stressful than regular face-to-face interviews, but this is mainly because they’re unfamiliar with the software. The best way to get over webcam and video nerves is to experiment first. Try using a webcam program like Skype to contact a friend or family member.

Quick tip for interviewers: If you’re a recruiter or HR manager having problems with the sound quality in a web interview—it cuts out, or comes across slurred or incomprehensible—turn off the microphone element of the webcam and use a regular phone on speakerphone instead. Great sound quality, and it will sync perfectly with the webcam!

If you want more information on web cam interviews, try About.com’s tips on successful video interviewing or WikiHow’s (brief) page on video interviewing.

Do you have any tips on webcam interviews? Drop me a line at Rachel@thejohnsongroup and let me know!