Great news! You have been invited for an interview because clearly your CV looks great. Well done for reaching this milestone as you have passed one of the first stages of the recruitment process that many never get to. Making a lasting impression in an interview is everyone’s aim. This at times can go beyond the content of your interview and be more based on how you showed up in your interview because sometimes it boils down to your attitude over your skills.

COVID-19 has now thrown a curve ball into the mix. We can no longer do things the same way we did before and that includes face-to-face interviews. Gone are the days when a recruiter would assess your handshake, ability to make eye contact and what shoes you are wearing to assist in making a judgement call. The situation we are in currently has minimised that unnecessary yet inevitable unconscious bias. Would I then be correct in saying, COVID-19 is a blessing in disguise?  Maybe not, but it certainly has given us the opportunity to look at things differently. 

We have been hearing the buzz words '4th Industrial Revolution' (4IR) and 'digital' for a while now, and have been asked to adapt and become more digital in how we approach problems and do things. The 4IR, is the term popularised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the current and developing environment in which disruptive technologies and trends are changing the way we live, work and relate to one another. It then makes sense that more and more organisations are now looking to fill their vacancies with individuals who possess the above-mentioned skills. However, remember what I said: sometimes your attitude matters more than your skills. Still in this context; the questions we now find ourselves asking are: Do you embrace technology? Do you like all things digital? Do you thrive in an environment that likes to do things differently?

Coronavirus has forced us to adapt and make it possible to do things in a non-traditional way. We can apply the same to candidates seeking new opportunities. It is of paramount importance to be comfortable with change if you do not want to be left behind and this goes for digital interviews as well. I know some people may not be open to them because of many reasons ranging from awkwardness to the technical glitches one can encounter.

Below are a few tips on how to tackle a digital interview:

• Do some research on the organisation
• Rehearse in front of the mirror and respond to possible interview questions
• Make sure you test your connectivity a few hours before the interview by clicking on the link you would have received. (Inform the organiser if you are experiencing issues)
• Test your audio and video
• Find a quiet room with good lighting if possible
• Be comforted by the fact that we are all nervous, including the panel, because we do not want any technical glitches
• Look presentable- there is no need to wear a suit and tie although this varies from organisation to organisation)
• Don’t look straight into the camera. Just be as natural as possible and rather look at the screen or faces of the interviewers
• Speak up
• Don’t read your CV because we are having a conversation
• Do not mind the awkward silences during the interview as the panel might be on 'mute'
• Relax, embrace the opportunity and have fun.

Thola Tshivhule is a Talent Acquisition Specialist with over 8 years of experience under her belt. She currently recruits for Vodacom’s Consumer Business Unit.