An interview at a new company often involves significant stress and resources. To be successful, a candidate must start by preparing for the meeting, researching the potential employer, and perfecting his or her resume. The recent shift to digital communication, especially last year during the pandemic, has resulted in online interviews mostly replacing face-to-face meetings at company offices. Accordingly, both employers and job seekers are rethinking their job search and recruitment strategies and adapting to this new meeting format.

A study by Jobbatical, an Estonian platform connecting employers and candidates, showed the 47% of surveyed companies arranged virtual interviews for candidates in 2019. After the onset of the pandemic, that figure is now 86% according to information technology market consulting company Gartner. A similar trend is expected in 2021, so it is clear that virtual interviews will become a key tool for company HR teams.

Julia Malezhyk

“The main advantage of virtual meetings is lower stress. Candidates are having the conversation in a familiar, comfortable environment, so communication becomes more productive and they open up faster. Also, an online interview saves resources and time. There is no commute to the company's office and scheduling is easier, so candidates can organize their workdays more efficiently,” says Julia Malezhyk, HR Manager at AsstrA.

Despite their advantages, virtual meetings also have drawbacks. Candidates have limited opportunities to experience a company’s office atmosphere and get a feel for its internal culture. This presents a risk for both sides. Therefore, AsstrA HR Managers invite candidates to the office to complete the last stage of their recruitment processes. This way, applicants can get a better picture of the office environment, workplace life, and their future teams before making a final decision.

“Our HR team receives dozens of resumes every day, so they definitely form a first of impression of you based on the information in your resume and how you present it. Highlight the most important facts in bold and remove unnecessary details. Adapt your resume the vacancy you are applying for and be sure to mention your competencies, educational background, and relevant professional experience,” recommends Julia Malezhyk. “Be honest and do not oversell yourself. For example, your foreign language skills will often be checked during the interview, and any discrepancies with the information on your resume will work against you. And, of course, get creative! Add a touch of personality to stand out from the crowd."

A well-written resume will help a candidate receive an invitation to an initial interview. To make this first interview effective, the AsstrA HR Department recommends following these three rules when preparing for it:

1. Dress professionally. A business-like appearance will show your interviewer that you are taking the conversation seriously.
2. Create the right environment. To keep the recruiter's attention on yourself, make sure you have a neutral background, sufficient lighting, and quiet surroundings. If doing so is not possible, warn the recruiter about children, pets, or anything else that may interfere with the conversation.
3. Check technical equipment in advance. Make sure your headphones, microphone, and camera are working ahead of time to avoid difficulties during the interview. If you use your phone for the conversation, keep it in one place and avoid wandering around the room with it.

Open communication, courtesy, and a professional approach remain basic requirements for successful interviews no matter how they are held. At the same time, the ability to adapt to today’s circumstances and digital recruitment processes will help candidates secure positions in a new company.