Don’t dress too casually, warns Cornish. “You still need to make an effort – not necessarily a jacket, but a smart top or shirt, or whatever’s the industry standard.” For men, says Lees, a tie looks strange at home but “smart casual” is appropriate. If you wouldn’t do something during an inperson, office-based interview, don’t do it on screen. “I’ve seen people file their nails or say, ‘Don’t mind me, I’m just wrapping a present’.” That’s a bit extreme, Cornish admits, but “people are a bit more casual than usual.” This is where recording yourself can be helpful – are you fiddling nervously with something on your desk without realising, or is your body language too casual? “You’ve got to connect with the interviewer and work harder when you’re not in the same room, so anything that’ll distract you is going to be negative.” Interviewers are fairly forgiving of life’s interruptions, says Cornish, when it’s not too extreme. “If your dog starts barking, that’s OK; it can be a bit of a laugh. We all know people are working from home and doing their best. The interviewer is on your side.” If your technology fails, “don’t let it become the focus” says Cornish. “Deal with it calmly and confidently and don’t show your frustration.” Have a backup plan. “Any unexpected hitch gives you an extra chance to demonstrate your resilience.” This is still a job interview, after all. “Don’t forget about things you’d ordinarily do,” says Cornish. “Research your interviewer and the company. Good questions are great while obvious ones aren’t. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification – asking questions is a sign of confidence.” Following up afterwards can work, she says, “Depending on how you do it. The trick for any job interview, is to look keen, but not too keen, which can come across as desperate. “You’ve almost got to be thinking, ‘I’ve got three offers, you’re lucky to get me’.” 0 What error does Ruth Cornish say interviewees will find difficult to overcome in an online interview? 1 According to Cornish, what behaviour does she typically notice during interviews with unprepared candidates? 2 What does John Lees say good eye contact helps to facilitate in an online interview? 3 What does a candidate’s cluttered background signal to interviewers? 4 What do candidates need to consider when deciding what to wear for an online interview? 5 According to Cornish, how shouldn’t candidates act during a screen-based interview? 6 What does Cornish say candidates shouldn’t do if they experience issues with technology? 7 What do candidates who deal with unexpected problems efficiently reveal to interviewers? 8 What does Cornish warn could happen if a candidate appears too eager at an interview? arriving early or late 175 E Preparing for final exams Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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