Video Interview Tips and Tricks

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With today’s shift to more remote working options and reliance on technology within the interview process, new skills need to be developed by candidates that are seeking to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s safety concerns, ease of scheduling, reduced travel, or any other multitude of reasons - video interviews are one of the first steps in the process for roles across all industries. But there is more to it than you think! 

Consider the goals of your typical interview: you want to make a good impression, you want to seem prepared and knowledgeable, and you want to stand out among the other candidates in the pipeline. With video interviews, all these goals remain the same, but the strategy for accomplishing them has shifted. Blue Signal has expertly gathered some tips and tricks on the subject to help you navigate these nuances within the web conferencing world. Here are some ways that despite the change of setting, you can stand above the rest in your next video interview. 

 

1. Plan Ahead

Download the application you are using for the conference call as soon as you get the invite. Make sure to set up your username, account information, and settings to professional standards - such as using both first and last name in your username so when you appear on the screen, they don’t have to wonder who soccerlover32 is. 

Test out the technology immediately to make sure your camera, microphone, and connection are working properly. Set up a practice interview with a friend, colleague, or your recruiter to see what using the system will be like. Record this first practice run to reference later - and see how your posture, background, eye contact, and other aspects could be improved. Just as professional athletes review old game footage, it would be useful for you to see your areas of improvement beforehand. 

Review the “Resources” section below for insightful links on best practices as well as tips and tricks for some of the most popular web conferencing software and sites. 

 

2. Do Your Homework

Review the job description as well as the company’s website. Familiarize yourself with their products, services, culture, and some of their employee structure. Looking at their LinkedIn page can be a great indicator of who you might be speaking with, who may be on your future team, and what your career progression might look like once you land the job. And, if you do happen to know the names of each of your interviewers, look them up and review their profiles to get a sense of their qualifications, leadership style, and what they might be looking for. If you notice other people on their page with titles similar to the role you are interviewing for, review their profiles to get a sense of what works for the role as far as background, experience, and culture fit. You’ll gain a better sense of what they are looking for by seeing what’s working for them today. 

 

3. Be Prepared to Share

Interviewers may ask to see your portfolio, examples of your work, or other relevant documents you will want to have on hand. Create an updated folder of supporting documents and make sure it is easily accessible. Closeout all other applications, windows, and files, and make sure your background is appropriate. While a picture of you drinking beer with your friends may be a conversation starter, that’s not the conversation you want to start with. 

The advantage? They will be able to see your shared screen but not your actual desk. Utilize notes in order to keep track of what you would like to highlight. Be careful not to appear distracted, and maintain eye contact to the best of your ability - but use your home-court advantage to the best of your ability. 

 

4. Be Present

Just as candidates are seeking to adjust to new practices with video interviews, so are the interviewers. Without being able to really meet you in person, they will have to rely heavily on your body language and professional presence, but now through a limited view. Continue to dress as you would for an interview. Keep in mind what is behind you - and make sure your background is either a plain wall or something non-distracting. Sit up straight and maintain good posture, just as you would if you were across the desk from them. Make sure to stay engaged with the conversation by nodding, smiling, and maintaining eye contact. Try not to use your hands to speak, don’t fidget with your desk/computer, and never check your phone. Even though they aren’t physically in the room - they can still see you and sense when you are tuning out! 

 

Resources

Below are several links to tips and tricks for some of the most popular web conferencing and video chat sites, listed by site name. Happy interviewing! 

From a TrustRadius study.

With this shift in practice from in-person to virtual interviews, we will certainly have to learn as we adapt. However, if you want to stand out among other contenders, these steps are a good start. Limiting technical difficulties by being prepared, knowing your stuff, and staying engaged will help you accomplish just that! Even if you’ve had hundreds of interviews during the course of your career, there are always ways to improve, especially as the game keeps changing! Contact one of our recruiting professionals today to start working with a career coach that knows how to navigate these changes, and can help you land your dream role! 

HOW TO SCORE YOUR NEXT GIG WITH A THANK YOU NOTE

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The interview process can be extensive, with multiple interview sessions, required personality and skill assessments, and delayed response times. Several candidates never hear back from interviewers, leaving many to wonder what they could have done differently to set them apart. While not required, thank you notes are a guaranteed way to leave a lasting impression on your interviewer and put you ahead of the rest. 

According to CareerBuilder, 57% of job seekers don’t send a thank you message after an interview. A thank you email is one of the biggest closers in the interview process, allowing you to review discussed items and show your excitement. This is also another opportunity to emphasize your qualifications, mention anything you forgot, and keep your name at the top of the list throughout the decision process. 

 

Be Prepared

Sending a thank you note should be your first step after any interview. A quick email is a great way to show appreciation for the interviewer's time and consideration, plus it’s just polite. Just as you would prepare for an interview, you should be ready to send a follow up memo as soon as you’re able. In order to make your message relevant, it’s helpful to take notes during your interview so that you don’t have to worry about forgetting something. Make sure to mention that you are taking notes, as that shows you are focused and genuinely interested in retaining the information they are providing. Make your notes quick and short so that you are still engaged in the conversation and not falling behind. If you feel that they are supplying a lot of important information or you’re confused, ask them to reiterate in your thank you email or find your own answers by doing some research on their website. The more engaged you appear in the interview, the more prepared you can be in your follow up. 

 

Timing Matters

Hiring managers come across hundreds of resumes in the interview process, making it difficult to remember every single person they speak to. This means that timing is everything. Thank you messages should be sent within 24 hours of the initial conversation, keeping your name higher up in their inbox and at top of mind. Ask interviewers for a business card or way to connect with them at the end of the meeting, and ensure you have the correct spelling and contact information. If you forget to do this, don’t stress! Reach out to your recruiter or do some digging online.

 

Customize it

Just as they receive hundreds of resumes, interviewers and hiring managers see their fair share of thank you emails. Customize your message to help set yourself apart, expressing your authentic interest over the role by citing specific examples from your notes that were discussed during the interview. This is also a great time to introduce new material that further validates your qualifications and experience. Use small details you have in common with the interviewer, such as a shared hobby or schooling, to personalize the note to each interviewer and demonstrate your attention to detail. Consider including a link to an online portfolio or shared folder for more work examples.

Source: CareerBuilder
Source: CareerBuilder

Keep It Professional

Some interviewers are more casual than others, but it’s important to maintain a professional demeanor throughout the process. Always, always, always follow up. Though rare in today’s digital age, some hiring managers may be more old-fashioned and would prefer a mailed thank you letter. If you feel this is the case, still send a thank you message and make it clear that their personalized letter is en route. If you’ve met multiple people during the interview stage, be sure to send thank you notes to all parties involved. This way, you are able to gain more connections in the company you’re applying for, and possibly discover more opportunities in the future. This is a great opportunity to show that you will be able to represent them professionally. Before sending, read over your note several times to eliminate any chances for grammatical issues and spelling errors. 

Thank you notes should be thought of as a required step in the interview process. There is really no downside to sending a follow-up email. At worst, you’ve wasted 5-10 minutes on advocating for yourself and being polite; at best, it could be the factor that pushes you to the top of the list. Even if you’re not a good fit for the role you are applying for, hiring managers and interviewers may remember you for your professionalism and respect when another opportunity opens up. In order to set yourself apart, you must be prepared, respond in a timely manner, customize your message, and stay professional.

National Puppy Day: The Dogs of Blue Signal

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This National Puppy Day, we focus on the bundles of fur that bring us so much joy: our dogs. With most of the nation adopting a work from home policy, owners around the country are able to spend more time with man’s best friend. Although we don’t need an excuse to obsess over our pets, today it is important to bring awareness to the millions of shelter dogs still looking for their forever homes.

Blue Signal takes pride in our philanthropic efforts to give back to the community and causes we’re passionate about. Last year, Blue Signal took part in our annual Blue Signal Gives Back: Puppy Edition. Volunteers were able to donate their time to play, feed, and give love to puppies who were up for adoption at the Arizona Humane Society! This allowed us to give back to the community in a way that positively impacted the lives of many shelter pups. 

Today, take a moment to give your pets some extra love and attention, appreciating the four legged creatures that reside in our homes and hearts. 

Check out some of our adorable Blue Signal Dogs in the gallery below!

Take a look at some of our other Blue Signal pets below!

Blue Signal Welcomes 11 New Team Members to Keep Up with Growing Demand

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In order to keep up with growing demand for Blue Signal's recruiting services, we recently welcomed 11 new additions to the Blue Signal staff. With these experienced and diverse extensions of our team, Blue Signal is on track to make more placements in 2020 than ever before. We're excited to introduce the newest members of our staff!

Meet Our New Recruits

Select a name to meet our new hires!

Wyatt Humrichous Project Manager

Interview Tips – Downloadable Guide

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Companies often use interviews as the first step in the hiring process. An interviewer’s goal is to determine whether the candidate possesses the technical skills for the position, can speak to the desired qualifications and accomplishments, fits the company culture, and is truly interested in the opportunity. The candidate’s goal is to gather information about the role, company, and hiring manager while also trying to make it to the next step. From the first impression to the negotiation phase, it’s your job as a candidate to make sure you are properly prepared.  

The best way is to work with a recruiter - like the ones at Blue Signal - to help coach you through the process and give you even further insight into the company, the role, and what they are looking for. Even without this expertise, you can ensure a positive impression by following the interview tips outlined in the following download!

Download our 2020 Interview Guide
Interview Guide - 2020

If you are interested in learning more about what a recruiter can do for you as a candidate in the process, contact one of our experienced and discrete recruiters today to talk about the opportunities available for you. 

You’ve Lost Your Star Employee, Now What?

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Losing a star employee is one of the most challenging things employers have to face. Top performers are typically among the most engaged in a company and when they make an unforeseen departure, this makes their leaving even more difficult to swallow. While no company is immune, (particularly in today’s competitive market), there are ways to ensure you’re better equipped to handle the situation when it does. Read on for best practices on how to recover from the loss of a top employee.

Think before extending a counter-offer.

Assuming there is still time to counter, your initial thought might be to do so in hopes of retaining a top performer. However, you have to consider the long-term implications of this. It’s possible that compensation may be the main driver behind their departure, but your star employees will likely have addressed this concern prior to making a decision to leave. Whether they have or not, this leaves both parties in an awkward spot. Your employee will be left wondering why it had to come to this point for them to get a raise, and you will feel that it took a form of blackmail in order to keep them on-board. 

Make sure their departure is as positive as possible.

While emotions are still likely running high, it’s important that you treat your employee’s departure as professionally as possible. Conducting exit interviews that allow them to speak to any frustrations should be a regular practice. Even if their reasons for leaving have no bearing on their experience at your organization, they’ll appreciate the opportunity to be heard. In turn, they’re much more likely to leave with a positive view of their time spent with you and will be more likely to recommend future candidates to your organization. In fact, employees that leave with a positive experience are 2.9 x more likely to recommend their former employer to their network.

Take your time in finding a replacement.

Losing a top performer is a tough blow, so it’s important to take a step back and not act on emotion. It may be your first instinct to try and find a replacement as soon as possible, especially if you’re going to be hiring from outside of your organization. This could be an excellent opportunity to hire an executive placement firm. Let them know what your former employee did well, and possibly where they fell short. They can often be an invaluable resource in finding your next big star, and you can continue to focus on business as usual.

Show a little extra appreciation for your current employees.

When any employee leaves, it can start a chain reaction. Present employees wonder what caused the departure and may reassess their own place internally. When a top performer leaves, however, this is doubly concerning. This can cause worries around lack of stability or merely open people’s eyes to greener pastures. While the feeling will likely be fleeting, it’s important to re-address why each individual employee is valuable. 

So how do you go about that? It could be something as simple as having conversations with individuals about their career paths within your company. Another option that’s mutually beneficial is to identify opportunities for development. If employees have expressed an interest in training in a specific area or skill and you have the resources, invest time in doing just that. The bottom line is that your people want to feel that their work is valued and that there is room for growth and learning within your organization.

    Blue Signal CEO: “Self-worth is the best motivator”

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    For National Entrepreneur’s Day, we sat down with our very own CEO and trailblazer, Matt Walsh, to share his leadership advice on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Matt’s insight and vision for Blue Signal has allowed the company to grow a team of hardworking individuals who work with transparency and purpose to who truly invest in the goals of our candidates and clients. Read below to gain an inside look into how Matt runs his business with determination and integrity.

    How do you measure success?

    I measure success by the amount of lives Blue Signal has positively impacted, both internally with our current employees, and externally of our clients and candidates.

    What’s one mistake you made early on?

    One mistake I made at the beginning was delaying hiring and delegating for the sake of ensuring that everything was done 100% correctly.

    What was the hardest lesson in your first year of business? 

    To start a business, you truly do need to dedicate yourself 100%, be available 24/7, sacrifice friends, family and your own personal desires for the sake of the business succeeding and taking off right out of the gates.

    What’s the toughest part of being in charge?

    Time management is extremely difficult, as everyone feels what they need is urgent and important. I have learned that not everything is vitally important to be done quickly for the success of the business.

    What’s the best motivator for employees?

    Self-worth. I truly enjoy working with every employee on a hands-on basis, to help them understand that they can effect change in the business and educate them on how their goals affect them and everything they touch.

    What’s your proudest accomplishment in your business? 

    I am extremely proud of our consistent track record we’ve maintained in doubling in size and revenue every year since our existence.

    What’s the biggest myth in business and recruiting?

    The biggest myth in business and recruiting is that everything is numbers driven. At Blue  Signal, we believe it’s extremely important to establish long lasting relationships and partnerships, with our candidates, clients and most importantly every employee within to ensure you are maximizing success.

    What have you learned about yourself running your business?

    How little sleep one truly needs in order to operate. And more importantly, how I can count on friends and family around me when I need an extra motivator.

    What have you sacrificed for success?

    I often hear and see business leaders talking about sacrificing their own personal desires in addition to their friends and family taking a back seat. While I agree, that is certainly capable of most leaders to do, there has to be a perfect balance. So while yes, I’ve made some sacrifices in these areas, I truly feel that the greater good of what we’re doing as a team and the lives we are affecting more than makes up for the sacrifices we all make here.

    Whom do you admire most as a business leader?

    While the obvious answers are Steve Jobs, Bezos, Zuckerberg and other innovative individuals who’ve been successful, my stance is and always has been from earlier sayings:

    " Choose a Job You Love, and You Will Never Have To Work a Day in Your Life. ”

    -(Unconfirmed source)

    We strive here at Blue Signal to ensure every function and disciplinary task in our entire workflow is given to the person who not only performs it the best, but also has the most fun doing so. Thus, leading to our high level of productivity, great level of spirits and culture and most importantly, having a lot of fun.

     

    Want to learn more about Blue Signal?

    Drop us a line or follow us on social media!

    Contact Us!

    Ammunition FC Wins 2019 Fire Fall Classic!

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    Blue Signal recently received some exciting news out of Central Illinois.

    This year, Blue Signal sponsored Ammunition FC, a U14 boy’s soccer team located in Owner Matt Walsh’s hometown of St. Joseph, Illinois.  The team recently swept the competition and won the Fall Classic Championship!

    The entire Blue Signal team celebrated the victory, as St. Joseph, Illinois has bred quite a few of Blue Signal’s star employees, including Ryan Walsh, Executive Recruiting Manager; Jordan Lawhead, Managing Partner; and John Ross Wilsey, Executive Recruiter.

    This is Blue Signal’s first team sponsor (they even have our logo on their jerseys!). The team is also sponsored by several other amazing companies representing the heart of Central Illinois, including El Toro, Lockhart Angus, AGTech Advantage, Do it Best, and Anthem Chevrolet Buick. We look forward to seeing these talented young athletes continue to blaze a trail in the future.

    Ammunition FC is led by Coach Markus Lockhart and Assistant Coach Dave Barney. The team was formed in 2017 with the specific intent of building a competitive youth soccer team in the Champaign and Vermilion County area. Since then, they’ve gone on to win four tournaments and placed second in another.  The team recently swept the competition and won the 2019 Illinois Fire Fall Classic and just recently won the 2019 Indy Premier Halloween Classic on the heels of their Fall Classic win. Overall, they finished second in the league in 2018 and third in 2019.

    Ammunition FC’s Mission:

    FC strives to field athletes that will be known for exceptional sportsmanship and discipline. Their goals are to develop young athletes capable of playing at a higher level. They believe hard work, proper technique, and a strong desire to play the game of soccer will ultimately result in success on the field. Developing athletes with key core values provides the best opportunity to succeed at the next level.

    About Blue Signal 

    Blue Signal was founded in Chicago in 2012. Since then, it has grown into a multimillion-dollar executive placement firm with offices in Phoenix and Chicago. Blue Signal has established itself as the premier executive search firm within the wireless/telecom, technology, and related industry niches.

    Our team works with both candidates and hiring managers to find the right fit. Contact us today to let us know how we can help.

    Blue Signal Expands to Meet Growing Demand

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    In response to our recent successes, and increased demand for Blue Signal’s recruiting services, we have recently expanded our internal teams. We have nearly doubled in size with the addition of 15 incredible team members. With three new classes of recruiters in the first half of 2019, Blue Signal is poised to multiply our placements in the upcoming quarters. We are proud to announce this expansion of our team, and are excited to see what change and development we can shake up next!

    Meet Blue Signal's 2019 New Recruits

    Select a name to meet our new hires!

    Michaela Newheart - Sr. Executive Recruiter

    Connect with Michaela on LinkedIn!

    Jeffrey Williamson - Sr. Executive Recruiter

    Connect with Jeff on Linkedin!

    John Ross Wilsey - Sr. Executive Recruiter

    Connect with John Ross on Linkedin!

    Trevor Gamble - Executive Recruiter

    Connect with Trevor on Linkedin!

    Rachel Zuckert - Executive Recruiter

    Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn!

    Sal Salerno - Executive Recruiter

    Connect with Sal on LinkedIn!

    Lauren Gallagher - Executive Recruiter

    Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn!

    John Stuart - Executive Recruiter

    Connect with John on LinkedIn!

    Dominique Ziegler - Content Marketing Specialist

    Connect with Dominique on Linkedin!

    We look forward to working together with our new team members to deliver the best available talent to our clients. Meet the rest of the Blue Signal team here.If you are interested in getting in on the fun, you can also check our jobs page as we are constantly looking for talent to help us expand our own internal capabilities as well.

    Blue Signal Launches New Women Empowerment Program

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    Blue Signal kicked off its women’s empowerment initiative by holding the first annual meeting of “Blue Signal Search Women of the Workplace” (BSS WOW) at its Phoenix Corporate office.  The team’s working purpose is, “To promote education, connection, and empowerment for women (and those who support strong women) and their contributions to the broader goals of Blue Signal… and beyond!”

    The group plans to create an assembly that unites the workplace to further the goals of each other as individuals, and propel Blue Signal to be the best recruiting firm in the world.  We believe that connected, empowered women, and those who support them, are unstoppable. Other goals of the group are to serve as a platform to give colleagues the tools and resources needed to support their growth and to build long-term relationships with clear goals for professional development.

    BSS WOW meets once per month over lunch and addresses issues relevant to working women today exploring topics such as professional growth, teamwork and cohesiveness, and work-life balance. We have explored industry-related articles, discussed other women-driven initiatives in companies we are inspired by, and have reviewed podcasts for new ideas. In the meetings, members are encouraged to discuss pain points they are currently facing, ways they are developing themselves in their role, and ultimately how to make the workplace better for all. This not only helps participants tackle issues at hand, but also gives them a space to collectively brainstorm and use as an outlet and think tank for areas to improve the company as well as their individual roles. So far, the feedback has been incredible and the meetings have delivered so much support and innovation generation.

    "Blue Signal's team is comprised of over 44% women; well above the industry average of 26%."

    Women are historically underrepresented in the tech space.  They make up over half of the working population, however only 26 percent of jobs in technology are held by women.  Blue Signal is no stranger to breaking records and surpassing what is considered the norm.  In contrast to industry standards, Blue Signal’s team is comprised of over 44 percent women (and growing!) and our female-led marketing team shatters not only the glass ceiling but places us ahead of all competitors.  We’re passionate about not only our clients and candidates, but our dynamic team. We continue to empower and support one another as well as market Blue Signal to its best potential.

    Want to get in on the action?

    Drop us a line or follow us on social media!

    Contact Us!