Online video interviews - the coming thing?

A participant in a recent workshop told me about his experience applying for a job with United Health Group. He said "It was the weirdest thing ever!" He received emailed instructions to go to a specific website and login from a computer or tablet with a webcam. Once logged in he was presented with a series of questions to answer verbally by speaking into the camera within a fixed amount of time, I believe it was 3 minutes per question.

To make it even more stressful, up in the right corner he could see the timer clicking down from three minutes for each question. He said it was a horrible experience and in retrospect he wishes he would have just withdrawn and refused to do this impersonal version of an interview.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

I have heard of a number of larger companies using this technology to allow them to screen candidates without the expense of bringing them in for an interview. It is probably even cheaper than a phone-screening interview, because the online video version is saved, and can be reviewed off line at the convenience of the reviewer.

Face to face interviews are stressful enough, but at least it is mostly a known process. You don't always know the exact questions that will be ask, but when it is face to face you have a human to interact with and get immediate feedback from non-verbally. This new wrinkle requires a different kind of preparation. Let's look at the key differences and how to prepare.

1.  The cold eye of the lens. Not everyone feels comfortable in front of a camera lens. When it is a webcam, it can be even more intimidating. If you are not familiar with using a webcam, you will need to play around with the hardware by skypeing a few friends or relatives and getting comfortable with how it works. Learn to look at the camera lens rather than at all the other things going on the screen. This will look more like you are actually making eye contact with whomever is reviewing the recording later.

2. Comfortable private setting. Make sure you can find a quiet, well-lighted room with no distractions. You will want a plain background. When practicing skypeing, get feedback on how you look on camera. Some experts recommend being visible from the chest up and not just a headshot.

3. Speak conversationally. Practice speaking in a normal conversational tone of voice. Don't speak too loud, like some people do when they are on a cell phone, as if you don't think they can hear you. If you can, imagine you are speaking to someone who knows, likes and respects you. Some people even tape a photo next to the camera lens to make it seem like you are speaking to this friend.

4. Dress up. It is a good idea to dress up with a sport coat and tie to look professional, just as you would at a face-to-face interview.

5. Notes? It is ok to have some notes available as long as you won't over rely on them. You will seem less prepared if you are looking around for notes. Mock interviews and practice, practice, practice are still the name of this game.

6. Smile and relax. Keep your posture straight, lean slightly forward, and don't forget to smile at the camera as you would a person in front of you.

7. Close other applications on your computer. Before you login be sure to exit any other computer applications you may have running. You don't want your email program beeping that you have an incoming message.

Good luck and get used to it, because this technology will only become more popular in the future.

The balance of power

One of the worst feelings about the job search is when you feel that corporations have all the power, because they are making the decision about hiring you or not. The company is in the driver's seat, and they sometimes don't even respond to your application at all. So, you start to feel less confident and less significant. After all there are hundreds of applicants for a single job. And after a number of rejections it wears on you.

But don't let these distressing emotions derail you from believing in your own value. The reality is that the hiring process is a mutual decision. Just as an employer is evaluating you, you are also evaluating the company, the culture, the team and all the other aspects of the job posting. Let's face it, there are some positions or companies you would turn down if offered a job - right? Or perhaps you would never have even applied there in the first place.

There is an amazing diversity of occupations and jobs in our economy, and we need to believe that there is a place for each of us in the workforce, and that through persistence and positive expectation we will find it.

So, keep focused on what you can control and and on your own value. Good things will happen.

Decision strategies

I have been reading a book called "The Decision Book: Fifty Models for Strategic Thinking." The authors are Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschäppeler. I'm a big picture kind of guy, which means before I dig in to learn something, I like to understand the context and how it fits in with other things I am interested in. So, I love studying models that help me understand things.

One of the models in the book caught my eye because of how it can relate to job searchers. The model is called "The rubber band model: How to deal with a dilemma." A dilemma is usually a decision we have to make that seems evenly balanced for or against. The rubber band model shows how we are often pulled in two directions. Or more accurately, we are pulled toward something we want, but also held in place by other forces.

The resolution to this kind of dilemma is to identify what is pulling you (where do you want to go, what do you want to do), versus what is holding you back (fear, security, comfort zone). This is a little different from the usual list of pros and cons because it engages our emotions. 

Some of us are naturally motivated to pursue what attracts us. The clearer we become about what we want to move toward, the more excited we become. And this excitement allows us to overcome whatever holds us back. Others of us are motivated to avoid what appears risky, or scary or threatening, and this is what holds us back. 

Procrastination is essentially the problem of avoiding what we want to do or what would be good for us to do, because there is something about it that seems risky or threatening to us. Perhaps we are avoiding fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of the unknown, or fear of commitment. But whatever it is if we can identify it, we can recognize that we are focusing on the negative value instead of focusing on the potential benefits of action. Whatever we focus on gets stronger, so it is vitally important during job search to focus on the positive in order to build motivation and overcome indecision, avoidance and procrastination.

So, if you find you have been avoiding your job search responsibilities, then list what is pulling you and what is holding you back. Then spend an hour focusing only on what is pulling you by listing all the potential benefits of pursuing it, and list how these actions utilize your strengths and talents. Imagine how things could be better if pursuing it works out positively for you.

If after doing this for an hour you still find what is holding you back to be stronger, then you may need to work on minimizing the feelings that are holding you back by understanding that fears are not reality. What if your fear never comes true? Was it worth avoiding something that could have turned out well because of something that is actually unlikely to happen?

Great research tool - ELM

We in Minnesota have a wonderful resource available to find tons of information through easy searches. It is called ELM for the Electronic Library for Minnesota. The URL is www.elm4you.org and it is a storehouse of information. It gives Minnesota residents online access to magazine, journal (academic or business), newspaper, and encyclopedia articles, eBooks, and other information resources.

Who can use it? ELM is available to any Minnesota resident of any age with any subject interest. For job seekers, it is a great tool for researching a company where you may want to work. You can get lots of industry and occupation articles and detailed reports on specific companies. For larger corporations they often have a MarketLine or DataMonitor Report, which are comprehensive summaries of business data about a company.

You can also find articles and PDF books on job search topics and lots of other random stuff. It is very cool and you can get lost in it for a few hours easily.

Have fun,
  --Mike

"People will never forget how you made them feel"

I was just sitting around waiting for summer weather to arrive in Minnesota, and was browsing a book I like called “You, Inc.” The author, Harry Beckwith, has a few paragraphs on what people value, and I think it is relevant to the networking and interviewing parts of job search.

He calls it “What people Value” and he summarizes from research that shows that where people put their money is what they value. For example, oddly enough on the average people don’t tip any more for prompt efficient service at a restaurant than they do for poor service. However, they do tip more for a server who makes them feel good.

This may sound trivial, but it is not. It is Maya Angelou’s quote that you may have heard, “People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did; but people will never forget how you made them feel.” So, as you interact during networking or during an interview, remember to treat each person in a way that will make them feel good. Listen carefully. Recall a good experience you had together. Show sincere interest. Smile with a twinkle. Touch them on the arm. Think of what makes you feel warm and good when someone does it to you and do that toward others. And most of all, find someting about them that you appreciate and show it.

Good luck,

Mike

The Body Language of Confidence

 As a hiring manager I know how important body language is for assessing someone’s state of confidence and positivity, but as a job seeker, do you know how to use this to your advantage? I was just watching a great TED talk by Amy Cuddy called “Your body language shapes who you are.” http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html  

She has some simple suggestions to use before a job interview that will help you not only project confidence, but actually FEEL it. Research shows that when people feel confident they adopt body postures that are expansive and that take up more space. They are noticeably spread out and almost celebratory. For example, holding your arms outstretched above your head in a sort of victory pose. Arms on hips in a Wonder Woman pose. Leaning on a table like you own it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other side of the coin is that when people feel powerless, fearful, or insecure they tend to make themselves smaller by holding their arms folded or close to their body. They stand with feet crossed and they hunch a bit. They look downward more, and they make small gestures instead of grand ones.

 

     

What is important about Amy Cuddy’s research is that the mind-body connection is a two way street. Certainly our body often reflects how we are feeling inside. But more importantly is that how we stand, sit or gesture directly affects how we feel inside. So, we can turn things around by acting as if we feel confident until we do. It only takes a few minutes.

So, Amy Cuddy’s suggestion for job interviews are:

1)      Ahead of time go into a private area and stretch out your arms. Stand tall and spread out. Take up space. Act bigger and more expansive than you may feel. This will communicate to your brain to start feeling more confident.

2)      During the interview adopt body positions and postures that take up space. Make slightly larger gestures and own your space. This is no time to be a shrinking violet. Sit up tall, lean forward make eye contact. Act like you belong there, and soon perhaps you will.

Go get ‘em tiger.

  --Mike Powers

Asking Powerful Questions

The question is a very powerful tool. It is deceptively simple but can evoke profound effects if used to our advantage. We often get ourselves stuck with closed-ended questions that get basic facts or yes/no answers. Here are three types of questions that you may find useful to propel you toward something useful. (Thanks to ideas from a book by Vogt, Brown and Issacs called The Art of Powerful Questions for inspiring this Blog.)

Questions for focusing attention

·       What question, if answered, would make the most difference to your job search?

·       What attracts you to certain parts of the job search process?

·       If you dig a little bit, what hidden opportunity might you discover in your present situation?

·       What assumptions do you need to test or challenge in your thinking about job search?

·       What would someone who knows and loves you say about your situation?

Questions for connecting ideas and finding deeper insight

·       What is starting to take shape for you? What are you noticing that is positive in recent events?

·       What is in the center of your life that you need to stay connected to?

·       What new connections could you make that will really help you out?

·       What seems easy for you during this process?

·       What has been the most interesting discovery for you so far?

·       What is it that you would love to discover soon?

Questions that create forward movement?

·       What will it take to move to the next level in your job search?

·       What brings you the most positive energy during the job search process?

·       What is possible here and who can help me get what I want?

·       What seed can I plant today that will make the most difference in my future?

·       Who do I need to have a conversation with to go to the next step?

·       What have I been putting off that I can do now to get some momentum?