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How To Ace A Video Interview

Ace the Video Interview, Tips for Job Hunters

Online job interviews are more coming ever so popular with more large employers and recruitment agencies using a video platform as a time-saving device in their recruitment process.

However, video job interviews is a difficult task for any fresh recruit. There are several tips that you can implement to increase your chances of a job interview.

Be warn the interview questions may be the same but how you communicate online differs from a face to face job interview. 

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The Basics

We need to cover the basics.

Ok, check you have a good internet connection (you need both good upload and download speed)

Prepare your interview answers as you do with all job interviews. Not sure how to do this? Simply use the search engine of this site to find commonly asked interview questions (you can check this by sector)

You still need to dress appropriately and think about your USP your Unique Selling Point

Control the Environment 

The environment for the video job interview is key. It is easy for the interviewer to become distracted by your background, interruptions and poor internet quality   

You need to create a blank background. You can do this by panning the camera in on a wall you sit in front or by using a sheet to create a blank canvas

Ensure to tell your house mates not to enter the room (this seems obvious but is a common mistake) and turn of your phone

This is simple advice but this is key. A distracted interviewer doesn’t listen to your interview answer, which means you don’t get the job offer

Avoid Using Online Platforms on your Mobile Phone

Using iPad or camera phone can be a major mistake for a video interview. The small screen size of an iPad is considered too small to engage a candidate. Instead, you should use a LED monitor which is big enough to clearly show the foreground and background of the space of the candidate.

A good-sized screen will allow also you to thoroughly scrutinize the body language of the candidate which is important to analyze his behavior during the interview.

Pace Your Communication

When you practice this, and you do need to practice this technique. You need to talk twice as slow as you do in normal life and leave longer gaps between sentences.

A lot of communication is lost on a video interview. Even though the interviewer can see on the screen a large percentage of body language, gestures and facial expression (all key non-verbal communication)  is lost or missed 

Due to this, you need to increase your verbal communication. Watch your pace, speed, volume and increase your chance of tonality, gaps in sentences and delete any “filler” words.

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How To Conduct A Video Interview Like An Expert?

Conduct A Video Interview Like A Pro

The trend of conducting a video interview has become common in the corporate sector nowadays.

Conducting a video interview, however, is a difficult task for any fresh HR professional.

Nonetheless, it can be as manageable as a one-on-one interview with the right approach. Being a fresh HR professional, conducting a video interview in a professional way is one of your biggest challenges.

This write-up seeks to help the HR professionals who have a video interview lined up in the schedule and don’t know the ways to go about it. In this article, they’ll find some effective tips and techniques for conducting a video interview successfully.

Without further ado, let’s drill down some of the ways HR professionals can conduct a video interview like an expert:

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Set Your Goals

No task is fruitful unless you set the goals for it and the same goes for conducting a video interview. Therefore, you first need to set the goals of your interview according to the hiring policy of your organization.

Once you do it successfully, you will be able to identify the right person who fits the job position and align with the policy of your organization.

Research About the Candidate

Before you conduct a video interview with a candidate, you should first find some information about the person. This will help you prepare your question list based on the personality, academic background and professional experience of the candidate.

Since the job history of the majority of the professionals is available on LinkedIn, you can easily jot down the most critical details about the career profile of a candidate and use them as cues while you engage in the Q & A session.

Ensure That You Have A Seamless Internet Connection

The internet connection is one of the many things that you must consider prior to conducting a video interview.

You need to make sure that your internet connection is stable and uninterrupted.

In this way, you’ll be able to converse with the candidate without irritating yourself due to internet downtime or interrupted network coverage.

Dress Up Like a True Professional

Having a video chat does not imply that you overlook your attire.

In fact, it makes it even more important to dress properly during a video interview and show your true professionalism.

Therefore, it is advisable to comply with the dress code of the company and convey the same instructions to the prospective candidate. 

Keep The Distractions At Bay

Distractions are the biggest turn off when you are engaged in a video interview.

It not only diverts your attention but also puts your focus away from important parts of the interview.

Therefore, it is important to get rid of things that might interrupt your interaction with the candidate, such as cell phones, squeaky sounds, or any flashy images in the vicinity of the interview room.

Avoid Using An iPad

Using iPad can be a major mistake for a video interview.

The small screen size of an iPad is considered too small to engage a candidate. Instead, you should use a LED monitor that is big enough to clearly show the foreground and background of the space of the candidate.

A good-sized screen will allow also you to thoroughly scrutinize the body language of the candidate which is important to analyze his behavior during the interview.

The aforementioned are some of the expert tips on conducting a video interview as an HR professional. Hope they serve you as guiding principles for your next hiring appointment and help you find the best candidate for a job.

Author Bio

Scarlett Erin is Head of human resource management at Assignment Star. She is also a pro academic writer and provides assignment help UK services to students all over the world. In addition, she is an active blogger and seeks it as a way to share insightful tips and advice on the matters of human resource management.

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How to Answer Oddball Questions in a Job Interview

Oddball Interview Questions 

Job interviews are exciting, however bring anxiety to the job seekers at the same time. Over the years, job search process has evolved from simple face-to-face interviews to Skype interviews and from sending traditional paper CVs to visual CVs.

With several changes happening, the interview process has evolved and helped employers find the best talents for their companies. Interviews nowadays are not simply about asking, “Tell me about yourself”.

Hiring managers surprise the candidates with weird or oddball questions to see how well you think on your feet.

No matter what comes your way, to help you ace your interview, here’s more that you should know what are these oddball questions, how do employers ask them, and how to handle them. Read on…

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What are oddball questions?

These questions are typically not related to your profession or job role.

These weird interview questions can talk about anything- a person, hypothetical situation, reasoning, etc., that encourages the job seeker to keep his creativity flowing.

These questions are popularly asked by MNCs to shortlist smart, enthusiastic and talented people. So, whether you are looking for a job abroad or in your home country, preparing for oddball questions is the trick to ace your job interview.

Oddball Interview question examples

Let’s take a look at some of the nerve-wracking questions:

  • Can you tell us why a manhole cover is always round in shape?
  • What was the last gift you gave someone and why did you choose it?
  • How will you put a giraffe in a box in three steps?
  • What was in your mind when you were coming for this job interview?
  • Why does yellow color called– ‘“yellow’”?
  • If you get superpowers, what would you do first?
  • If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why?

And the list goes on…

Why do Employers Ask These Questions?

Before planning the right strategy, it is imperative to understand why hiring managers pick up such new and weird interview questions.

The simple reason is that answering such questions gives employers a chance to know more about your real thought process and confidence.

He/she wants to gauge how you handle an unexpected situation and can come up with some out-of-the-box thinking.

Everyone can easily answer the common interview questions, but impressing the recruiter with some really interesting answers is something that can land you to a great job.

How to handle these questions?

Giving a logical approach is more important than answering anything. The idea is not to jump on the conclusion and give an answer within few seconds.

In fact, there is no right or wrong answer to these weird questions. Therefore, the right drill is to take some time to think about the question and give an interesting, but a logical answer.

Oddball Interveiw Question Answers

Your answers should be based on these facts:

  • The employer wants to know how you react to something that comes your way unexpectedly
  • What’s your confidence level
  • Can you think out of the box
  • How you answer a question that has no textbook answer

Don’t take it too seriously as sometimes employers with such questions are not always looking for what is right or wrong, but how you leave an impression with your interesting answer.

So whatever you say, do come with a concept.

All the best!

About the Author:

Swati Srivastava is an avid writer who loves to pen down her ideas and professional tips for job search, finding your career goal, and working abroad. Currently she is working for Naukrigulf.com. Reach her on LinkedIn/Twitter

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Interview Questions for a Bid Writer

Interview Questions for a Bid Writer

A bid writer specialise in collecting information about the required bid and creating a detailed proposal that explains how your organisation will be the best-suited organisation to meet the contract specifications.

In a bid writer job interview, you need to share your expertise (by quoting previous successful bids) and your bid writing and research skills.

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10 Interview Questions for Bid Writer

Bid Writer Job Interview Question 1

  • What is your experience and key successes as a bid writer? 

Bid Writer Job Interview Question 2

  • How do you find possible opportunities to bid for, what is your success with this? 

Bid Writer  Job Interview Question 3

  • What is your process and procedure for collectivizing relevant data for a potential bid? 

Bid Writer Job Interview Question 4

  • Give an example of how you have questioned a client to gain relevant information for a bid proposal? 

Bid Writer Job Interview Question 5

  • How do you prepare a presentation to deliver technical information? 

Bid Writer Job Interview Question 6

  • Describe the steps you take from the tender to the proposal of a new bid? 

Bid Writer Job Interview Question 7

  • What is your approach to answering the pre-qualification questionnaire? 

Bid Writer Job Interview Question 8

  • Give an example of working with a partner, as an example a planning team, to successfully collaborate on a bid? 

Bid Writer   Job Interview Question 9

  • What steps do you take to ensure the delivery team understands your bid to ensure that they meet the contract obligations?  

Bid Writer Job Interview Question 10

  • Do you have any questions for me?

Good questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.

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Interview Questions for a Door Supervisor

How to Pass a Door Supervisor Job Interview

A door supervisor (often referred to as a security guard) is a complex role with various duties, often depending on the type of venue you are supervising.

This is a regulated role where you will be required to have an SIA licence – many employers will require you to prove you have this qualification during the job interview process.

Your day to day duties will include the following:

  • managing crowds, queues and entry to venues
  • checking tickets, age and behaviour 
  • patrolling inside and outside the venue
  • watching people’s behaviour and dealing with conflict
  • restraining and escorting people out of the venue
  • dealing with emergencies, conflict and working with the police

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10 Interview Questions for Door Supervisor

Door Supervisor Job Interview Question 1

What is your experience in security and door supervision? 

  • Give an overview of your experience as a security guard or door supervisor
  • State the duration of collective experience
  • Explain the type of venues you have worked in

Door Supervisor Job Interview Question 2

How do you monitor and assess customers?

  • Make this answer relevant to the job role you are applying for, giving suitable examples
  • Discuss how you assess a person(s) behavior as they approach the venue
  • Explain what questions you ask and the type of responses that would set of alarm bells

Door Supervisor Job Interview Question 3

Why do you need to cooperate successfully with the uniformed services? 

  • Talk about collaboration with the police, PCSOs, fire service and ambulance service
  • Discuss how it is a collaborative approach that helps to reduce risk
  • Explain how you share intelligence with and from the police service

Door Supervisor Job Interview Question 4

Give an example of making a quick and decisive decision in a pressurized situation? 

  • Use a real life example
  • Set the scene by explaining what happened to the lead up of an incident
  • Explain what decisions you took and the reason behind each decision

Door Supervisor Job Interview Question 5

Give an example of when you have used, successfully, your powers of observation and what was the outcome? 

  • Explain (a real life experience) of general observation, and how an out-of-place visual cue made you want to investigate
  • Discuss what you found and how you dealt with the situation
  • Finally, give the positive outcome from you taking action

Door Supervisor Job Interview Question 6

Describe how you would restrain and escort customers out of the venue? 

  • Discuss the quick response process you followed in previous roles
  • Focus on de-escalation techniques
  • Explain what you do post the restrainment of a customer

Door Supervisor  Job Interview Question 7

How do you deal with a conflict to ensure it does not escalate? 

  • Give an example such as staff rotation on a door
  • Explain how remaining calm and relax can defuse situations
  • Talk about your communication style and the positive effect this has in conflict situations

Door Supervisor Job Interview Question 8

Give an example of using excellent customer service skills?

  • Give an overview of your customer service skills; friendly, approachable, supportive
  • Explain how you supported a customer in need
  • Discuss the actual steps you took – give detail

Door Supervisor  Job Interview Question 9

What qualifications do you hold? 

  • List SIA badges, first aid certificates etc
  • Also discuss any sector specific qualifications you hold
  • Finally explain any none related security type qualifications you hold and how they add value, IE a L5 management qual taught you how to be  door supervisor team leader

Door Supervisor Job Interview Question 10

Do you have any questions for me?

Good questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include:

  • What type of venues do you work with
  • Do you have a good working relationship with the local authority and the police service
  • What additional training do you offer staff

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Interview Questions for a Waste Plant Manager

How to Prepare for a Waste Plant Manager Job Interview. 

A waste plant manager is often referred to as an environmental services manager or waste contracts manager.

In a waste plant manager job interview you need to discuss your experiences and skills relating to managing environmental staff, your ability and knowledge of waste management production and knowledge of waste management legislation.

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10 Interview Questions for A Waste Plant Manager Interview

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 1

  • Can you explain your experience in the waste management sector? 

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 2

  • How do you monitor and assess waste that comes into the plant?

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 3

  • Why is  a good working knowledge of health and safety an important part of this role?

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 4

  • Give an example of how you have ensured that a plant met environmental safety standards? 

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 5

  • What permits are required in a waste management plant and how do you apply for them? 

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 6

  • Do you have experience in negotiating contracts?

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 7

  • Give an example of how you have developed new business? 

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 8

  • Give an example of managing and maintaining specialist equipment and machinery?  

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 9

  • What management style have you adopted? 

Waste Plant Manager Job Interview Question 10

  • How do you manage the time and duties of your employees? 

Waste Plant Manager  Job Interview Question 11

  • Do you have any questions for me?

Good questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.

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Interview Questions for a Forest Officer

A List of Interview Questions for a Forest Officer  Job Role

A forest officer can be known as a forester, forest manager, woodland manager, assistant head forester.

This is a physically demanding job with a need for an ability to project manage long-term schemes, work with external partners and a good working knowledge of forestry.

Throughout the forest officer job interview, you need to highlight these skills, your own forestry experience and your relevant qualifications; arboriculture, countryside management, forest management, forestry and woodland ecology and conservation

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10 Interview Questions for An Forest Officer Interview

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 1

  • Can you tell me a little bit about your experience as a forest officer?

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 2

  • What certificates of confidence do you possess, IE, chainsaw, wood-chipper, harvester?

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 3

  • Why is a good working knowledge of health and safety an important part of this role?

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 4

  • Can you give an example of when you have completed a long term forest project?

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 5

  • How do you motivate others when working collaboratively on a project?

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 6

  • What land management skills do you possess? 

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 7

  • What type of specialist personal protective equipment can you operate IE harnesses, abseils, etc

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 8

  • Give an example of managing and maintaining specialist equipment and machinery?  

Forest Officer Job Interview Question 9

  • How do you carry out a survey of a new site?

Forest Officer  Job Interview Question 10

  • How do you evaluate the success of a project?

Forest Officer  Job Interview Question 11

  • Do you have any questions for me?

Good questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.

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Interview Questions for an Industrial Cleaner Position

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Questions

An industrial cleaner cleans large facilities; factory, plant, warehouse or other industrial setting.

This job requires safety knowledge, understanding of chemicals and industrial cleaning equipment as industrial cleaners may be required to use special equipment or chemicals to complete their cleaning duties.

The key to passing job interviews in preparation and practice, this sounds obvious but is often overlooked with the average interviewee spending around only 60 minutes preparing for their job interview.

For industrial cleaner job interviews, applicants will be asked, around, 8 job interveiw questions during a 30-45 minute panel job interview.

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10 Interview Questions for An Industrial Cleaning Interview

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 1

  • Can you tell me a little bit about your experience as an industrial cleaner and what you bring to this role

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 2

  • What is your understanding of COSHH?

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 3

  • Why is  a good working knowledge of health and safety an important part of an industrial cleaners duties?

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 4

  • Why cant you mix cleaning chemicals together?

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 5

  • How do you motivate yourself to work in haphazard conditions?

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 6

  • Name 3 different types of high pressure equipment you can use to clean walls and ceilings?

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 7

  • What type of specialist persoanl equipment can you operate IE harnesses, abseils, etc

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 8

  • What precautions do you take when cleaning up a haphazardness spillage? 

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 9

  • How do risk assess each job before you start cleaning? 

Industrial Cleaner Job Interview Question 10

  • Do you have any questions for me?

Good questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.

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How to Prepare for a Job Interview Answer

Prepare for a Job Interview Answer

The job interview isn’t the difficult process that everyone believes it is.

In actual fact to pass a job interview all you need to learn is how to prepare your job interview answer (as you will have the essential skills, qualities required for the desired position).

By following a couple of steps you will blow away the competition and win more job offers.

Set Up Your Own Coaching Business 

Prepare Your Job Interview Answer Step 1

Use examples to give real evidence to your answer.

Basically to win a job offer you simply need to state that you have the essential desired criteria. But stating that you have X, Y and Z may be the logical (and most commonly used) approach but this rarely has any impact.

This is because employers make job offer decisions based on their emotional association to the interviewee. For your job interview answers to have real impact, state you have the desired skill and then give an example of how you have used this to good effect.

Remember stories, anecdotes and examples have a lasting impact of the job interviewer.

Prepare Your Job Interview Answer Step 2

Talk about what the interviewer deems important.

In the job interview, it can be surprising that after a confident verbal delivery you don’t get offered the job. You had a rapport, answered each question and use stories but still, you aren’t accepted – why?

The reason is that different people from the same industry deem different skills, work styles and priorities differently. If you talk about how you are a people person but the interviewer preferences systems more then you won’t hit the mark in the job interview.

You need to question the interviewer and find out what they deem important. This could be targets, growth, development, technology, finance, people, reputation, charity, processes, the list can go on. Once you know what the employer finds important you can add this to the your interview answer, giving it a bigger impact.

Prepare Your Job Interview Answer Step 3

Match your tone and facial expressions to your answers.

People will often talk throughout the job interview, even give a good answer, but still, they fail to pass the interview process.

This is because a monotone voice and blank facial expressions detracts from your answer. Remember that most of your communication, around 60% is none verbal. Use tonality, volume and expression to answer the interview question with power.

Over 50 Job Interview Questions and Answers

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3 Easy Steps for Creating the Perfect Interview Answer

The Perfect Interview Answer

The way you win a job interview is through your perfect job interview answer.

How you reply – with strength or with weakness, determines the success of your job interview. This article will teach you the 3 steps to make a job interview answer hit the mark

Step 1

Answer with confidence.

The first few seconds of your interview answer determines whether the interviewer will listen or ignore the rest of your answer (well they’ll half listen – still not that good)

To create a buzz and to ensure that the interviewer is interested, state straight away that you can do, or have the desired skill they request. Just state “yes” or “I have a great example of that” if you have what they want they will want to listen to your answer

If you wanted a chocolate bar and I said I know where you can get an apple, you wouldn’t be interested. Instead, if I said I know where you can get chocolate your all ears. Give them what they want straight away

Step 2

Create intrigue and an emotional response

Rather than state just logical facts (if you do this you’ll become part of the grey void that all other applicants merge into) gives an emotional story.

People are emotionally drawn to a story. Adopting this storytelling tactic in the job interview you can create authority by selling your skills, experiences, and qualities through the adventure of a detailed story. Stories create visualizations and what you visualize you feel

Step 3

Sum up at the end

Your story creates rapport – key in today’s job interview, but you need to remind that you have X skill

At the end of your answer simply say “so overall I have X skill” or “so yes, I can say I have been using X in all my roles to full effect”