TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

No two interviews are exactly the same, but when you are planning your particular interview, know that it will likely take place in one of three ways: in person, phone or video conference. Each presents its own unique challenges and hurdles. VIDEO CONFERENCE/ ZOOM

− This is a burgeoning trend in recruiting practices and you need to be prepared. − Dress as if it were in person. Yes, that includes pants and shoes. Clothes set the tone and you do not need to get too casual. − Control the environment. Do your best to control for noise and visual distractions. Interview in front of blank space as much as able, and send the roommates and household pets away. − Look into the camera. As tempting as it may be to look at the screen while talking, look into the camera, that is the “eye” you should be attempting to make contact with. − Use an ethernet cable. Avoid conducting over Wi-Fi. Temperamental connection issues might reflect poorly upon you. − Use the University Career Center.

Unable to find a quiet space free of distraction or do not own a video camera? Feel free to use our facilities to conduct your interview. Please call 334-844-4744 to take advantage of the resource. IN PERSON

− Make eye contact. This simple task can be particulary vexing, but it is the best way to showcase that you are plugged into what they are saying and are trying to connect when you are speaking as well. − Be prepared for a panel. Paneled interviews are not uncommon; be ready

to actively engage with all the people in the room. Direct most of your eye contact toward the person who asked the question, but be sure to hit upon the other members as well. − Seeing the interviewer take notes is not a bad thing. Their notes are often innocuous, instead of sinister, and mostly help them remember something you said for later debate. − Be overdressed vs. underdressed. It is much easier to scale back an outfit than to upscale it. Confirm dress expectations well in advance. TELEPHONE

− Telephone interviewing presents its own particular challenges, namely the lack of visible feedback. Pay especially close attention to your tone and rapidity of your speech. − Smile while talking. As contrived as it may sound, smiling while talking will help to charge your language with positivity that you would otherwise give in person. − Silence is ok. When you’re on the phone, silence seems to stretch forever. When you’re in person, you can see the interviewer writing, being distracted, etc., but over the phone you get none of that. When you’re finished with your response, be ok with the seemingly infinite silence that follows. − Use a landline. Cell phones have the uncanny ability to go out when you need them most. Use a landline for your phone interviews. The University

Career Center will allow you to use one of ours, free of charge. − Be in a quiet environment. Encourage your roommates to leave and take pets with them. You need it to be as silent as possible, especially to cut down on distractions.