Video interviews are nothing new as many international schools have used this technology for years as part of the recruitment process.

However, they have become more frequent since the Covid-19 outbreak and are likely to stay put – especially for an international role – given the advantages they can offer over always requiring an interview in the face. to face.

In view of this, teachers need to ensure that they are prepared for this new reality of interviews. However, after a recent round of video interviews, it’s clear that some still make basic mistakes that undermine their chances of being nominated.

Online teacher job interviews: how to make a good impression

As such, here are a few basics to consider to make sure you get it right on D-Day:

1. Dress professionally

You would think it was obvious, but since the video interview could take place in the comfort of our own home, I saw over-disguised people during the interview.

A blazer might not be part of your daily teaching outfit, but it certainly should be during an interview. After all, impressions matter. Dressing smart shows that you are serious about your role and that you can dress professionally if necessary. Better to be overdressed than underdressed.

2. Have a good Wi-Fi connection

This is a big problem and one which, a year after the start of the pandemic, is surprising.

It can be very off-putting when the signal drops and people asking you freeze on the screen, and you might only catch some of the questions they ask.

Or the interviewers may miss some of your answers and not really have a full idea of ​​who you really are as a candidate.

Avoid this by finding a place where you know the Wi-Fi connection is strong and secure – or perhaps invested in an Ethernet cable. If you are having trouble making a good connection at home, consider doing so from school or a friend’s house, where you know the connection is good. It could make a big difference.

3. Eliminate all distractions

Schools fully understand that lessons and interviews can be interrupted at any time; for example, by a fire alarm.

However, try as best you can to remove any distractions you can control, such as turning off your cell phone or being in a room where you will not be disturbed by background noise.

If you have a scheduled delivery, reschedule it or ignore it when the doorbell rings. You can always pick it up another time. The interview should be your only goal.

4. Have a good camera setup

You’d think after a year of video calling people would know, but there’s nothing worse than trying to interview someone when the camera is at an odd angle and you can’t. see that half of his head or too much cap.

Make sure you are in the eye line with your camera and everything is stable. If nothing else, a few large books can be a suitable medium for the duration of your call.

5. Don’t talk too long

It can be difficult in an interview to know how long to talk. You don’t want your answers to be too short, as you will need to provide relevant examples and discuss your experiences, and this is your opportunity to show off your expertise.

However, answers that are too long can be very frustrating for the interviewer asking the questions. It can become easy to set off on a tangent, wander off and move away from the original question asked. Keep the answers concise and clear.

On a video call, where it may be more difficult to discern facial expressions or to “feel” that you have responded sufficiently, it can be even more difficult.

But try to keep in mind how long you talk – you can always ask the interviewer if they want to expand or expand further; that way you can or if they don’t need you, it suggests that you provided enough information in your answer for them to move on.

The author is a teacher working abroad