Congratulations! You’ve just secured an aviation interview with a recruiter or hiring manager.
In today’s hiring landscape, video interviews have become a standard practice, especially in the fast-paced world of business aviation where last-minute trips are common.
While video interviews save time, they also come with unique challenges. How can you ensure you make a great first impression when interviewing via video? Here are some essential tips to help you stand out.
Master your Video Skills for the Aviation Interview:
Know Your Why
Why are you interested in this role? What’s your why and why is this a great organization for you?
Be sure to do your research and be prepared for predictable questions that may come your way. Prepare answers to common interview questions and have your resume and job description handy. Practicing your responses will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.
Be ready with answers to such things as: Why are you looking for a new job? What appeals to you about this opportunity? Are you willing to relocate? How much notice do you need to give your current employer?
Test Your Technology
Before the interview, ensure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are working correctly. Test your setup using the same platform as your interview to avoid any last-minute glitches.
Optimize Your Environment
Choose a quiet, well-lit space for your interview. Ensure the background is tidy and free from distractions. Good lighting is crucial—natural light is best, but if that’s not available, use a lamp to illuminate your face evenly.
Dress Professionally
Dress as you would for an in-person interview. At a minimum, wear a collared shirt. This not only makes a good impression but also helps you get into a professional mindset. Avoid clothing that blends into your background or has busy patterns that can be distracting on camera.
Maintain Eye Contact
Position your camera at eye level and look into it while speaking. This creates the impression of direct eye contact with the interviewer. Avoid the temptation to look at your own image or the interviewer’s image on the screen.
Prepare Your Space
Ensure your interview space is quiet and free from interruptions. Inform anyone in your household about the interview to minimize noise and disturbances. Turn off notifications on your computer and phone to maintain focus.
Make sure you set up for your call in a place that lends an air of professionalism to the event. Kicking back on the couch or calling from your busy hotel lobby might not set the right mood—either for you or your interviewers. And by all means, do not have a headboard in your background.
Don’t forget to have a copy of your resume handy for reference, along with pen and paper to jot down notes.
Be Punctual
This sounds like a no-brainer, but trust me, you don’t want your interviewer’s first impression of you to be the sound of your voice mail recording. Set reminders and alarms to make sure you are ready to accept their incoming call even if it’s a few minutes early.
If you’re calling in, be ready to dial the number as soon as the clock strikes the agreed-upon time. Even if they might be running late, you want to make sure that you’re on time!
Listen
A good place to start is by making sure you know the interviewer’s name; then feel free to use it when addressing him or her on the call.
Every interviewer has his or her own style. Let them set the pace and tone for the conversation. And be sure that you’re answering the question they asked without going off on tangents. This is where note taking can really be handy.
Practice Good Body Language
Sit up straight and maintain good posture throughout the interview. Use hand gestures naturally, but keep them within the camera’s frame. Your body language should convey confidence and enthusiasm.
Handle Technical Issues Gracefully
If technical problems arise, stay calm. Communicate the issue to the interviewer and try to resolve it quickly. And show them the same grace if issues happen on their end. If needed, suggest rescheduling the interview. Handling such situations with composure reflects well on your adaptability.
Follow Up
After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. This reinforces your interest in the position and keeps you fresh in the interviewer’s mind. It’s also entirely appropriate to send a “touch base” email after a couple weeks, if you haven’t heard anything back from your interviewers. This shows that you’re still interested in their position.
Heeding any or all of these aviation interview tips can be a serious boon to help you show up in the best possible light. Remember, preparation and attention to detail are key to acing your video interview. Good luck!