Job hunting in a pandemic - My first video interview

As the reality of my fixed-term contract job ending began to feel more real, a small light appeared at the end of the tunnel in the form of a second stage video interview for a similar-sounding digital marketing role at a company whose office (as and when I would be required to go there again) was just around the corner from where I had been based before the pandemic sent us all spiralling to work from home.

The job spec, pay, location and company culture all seemed like the ideal fit. All I had to do was convince them to hire me, over video. Having not had an interview for two years, I was nervous anyway but the additional worries about using this method only made it worse.

Don't get me wrong, I'm more than used to conversing with friends, relatives and existing colleagues through my laptop or even my iPad. I have a good camera, good internet, a separate room in which to not be disturbed and even a craft lamp that functions as a form of studio lighting to ensure my face is always fully visible. This was however the first time I would ever be having a job interview conducted in this way.

The advantages of this way of interviewing are of course that you can sit there with your CV, the job description, the company website and any other useful information open in front of you, ready to be utilised.

The disadvantages, however, are a whole new way of working and communicating and having to forge instant rapport through a computer screen.

I have always prided myself on showing up suitably early to interviews, but without a reception area to sit in and wait until I was called I found myself instead, sitting alone at my computer wondering how soon was too soon to join the call. I decided on 5 minutes and then sat with the little zoom window that says 'the host will let you in soon'. It was a strange feeling a little like those companies who have decided to forgo reception staff in favour of an empty desk with a phone on it where you call the department you require and then sit alone, with nobody to talk to and gain company insight, wondering which of the anonymous doors your interviewer will appear through.

Normally at a face to face interview the moment that person walks into the room is the moment the anxiety begins to ebb away as you put a face to the name and make mundane chat about your journey before the interview proper begins, but not in the video meeting world, no sir. Instead, my two interviewers appeared on screen simultaneously, their faces almost life size and thanks to the height of my table, level with my breasts! My camera is much higher and I know they can only see my head and my shoulders but it's a little disconcerting all the same. Not only that but as ordinary dress codes have slipped during the pandemic, it would seem video interview attire has followed suit (no pun intended). I am wearing a crisp blue and white stripped shirt with contrasting white collar, accompanied by full hair and make-up, while my interview panel are in a hoody, a strappy vest and matching messy buns. I instantly regretted having bothered to get the hair straighteners out.

With all this unfamiliarity sending my heartrate up and up rather than in the direction I wanted my body decided to throw one more challenge into the mix. How about now we realise that we haven't had a conversation with a stranger in over 9 months and forget how to speak in clear and intelligent sentences. A momentary wobble which I explained away as nerves and quickly regained composure, answering the remaining questions with ease.

I wish I could end this story on a happy note and say that I go the job, but i didn't. What I did get though was a lot of experience and insight into how things work in this new world. My trusty lamp and I have been on other video interviews since and they have gone a lot better although I am still yet to find my perfect role.

Stay tuned for more pandemic job search insight and maybe leave me a tip if you are feeling genrous, I'm running out of coffee over here!