{"id":23735,"date":"2020-10-16T10:44:12","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T09:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stonebridge-blog.positive-dedicated.net\/?p=23735"},"modified":"2020-12-01T11:00:51","modified_gmt":"2020-12-01T11:00:51","slug":"how-to-learn-soft-skills-for-interviews-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/top-tips\/how-to-learn-soft-skills-for-interviews-online\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Learn Soft Skills for Interviews Online"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\u2018Soft skills\u2019 is the umbrella term for the skills, attributes and traits we possess as individuals that enable us to interact with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It encapsulates our social and communication skills, our character and personality, our emotional intelligence and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a modern work environment, soft skills are essential. Especially with the growing emphasis on cultural fit and personality in addition to the relevant work experience and \u2018hard skills\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demonstrating your soft skills during an interview is essential. The hiring manager will want to be sure that you\u2019re a good fit for the team as well as whether you can do the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The days of bums on seats and expendable workforces are ending. Businesses are looking to retain and invest in people who share their vision and values. Rather than high staff turnover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If for no other reason than keeping good staff is 13% cheaper than hiring new ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, with online interviews becoming increasingly common, communicating those soft skills can be harder than in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soft skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, it\u2019s important to understand that soft skills are attributes you develop over time. They can\u2019t be taught overnight and nor should they be faked for an interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Any organisation that prizes a strong cultural fit will quickly see through you once you start work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fact is there is the right cultural fit for everyone so if you don\u2019t feel like you gel with the hiring manager, that\u2019s okay. It\u2019s better to find a company you will thrive in rather than pretending to be someone you\u2019re not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No amount of money will make that job a worthwhile experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your hiring manager will be looking to get a feel for you as a person. Not just how you work under pressure or how you hit a deadline, but your attitude too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They will want to get a gauge of your communication skills, your sense of humour, social intelligence, common sense and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are relatively easy to discern when meeting someone in person. But it can be a very different situation when meeting someone through a computer screen for the very first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below are some of the things to be mindful of when interviewing online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tone of Voice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
While the interviewer will be able to see your head and shoulders, they won\u2019t necessarily get to see the rest of you. Which means many of the cues they would pick up from your body language aren\u2019t there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This makes your tone of voice very important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep your tone light and speak clearly. Test your hardware before your interview to make sure the microphone, speakers, or headset you\u2019re using work properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re someone who gets anxious during interviews, note down some key points or possible answers and practice them with someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can also help to write down the question you get asked so you can refer back to it as you answer so you don\u2019t get flustered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make Eye Contact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This can be pretty difficult when you\u2019re talking to someone on a screen. More so as the camera \u2013 which is essentially their face \u2013 is usually set above it. The result is neither of you look one another in the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Train yourself to look into the camera when you speak. It\u2019s as much about ignoring how you look on the preview in the corner and focus on giving the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also advisable to clear the area of distractions \u2013 especially your phone \u2013 so you don\u2019t look away while being spoken to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is perfectly acceptable to make notes during an interview and this doesn\u2019t change because it\u2019s over a video call, so don\u2019t worry about that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is much more about making it clear to the hiring manager that you are listening, engaging with the conversation and being respectful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t forget Small Talk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Video calls can feel far more functional than a face to face meeting. They don\u2019t lend themselves to informal conversations because there is a physical distance between you and the person you\u2019re talking to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coupled with the fact that it\u2019s harder to read each other\u2019s body language, small talk becomes even more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Informal chats at the start and end of the interview will help keep the tone light, reduce any anxiety you may be feeling, and help to build a rapport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It will also give you an idea of what the hiring manager will be like to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure you research the business and \u2013 if possible \u2013 the hiring manager so you have some talking points to get things going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prepare your Answers in advance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most interviews follow a fairly similar format. You will be asked about your education and employment history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will also be asked how you approached different work situations. That could be how you handled a challenging situation or addressed an interpersonal issue within the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or how you motivated the team to achieve an objective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Write down a number of examples of your achievements both from a business perspective \u2013 targets hit etc \u2013 but on a personal level too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hiring manger will be assessing not only your competence but how you approach problem solving on a variety of levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep the anecdotes short and to the point. Give context, describe what happened, the outcome and what you learned from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demonstrate your Soft Skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Interviews can get bogged down with questions about the role and experience. This can make it difficult to show the hiring manager who you are as a person. Ever more so over a video call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it\u2019s just as important to demonstrate your soft skills. You can lace your answers with examples of how you work well with others or supported colleagues experiencing personal or professional challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or how you didn\u2019t get stressed when there was a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By giving your answers context it will be easier for you to demonstrate those crucial soft skills. Your answers still need to be concise but resist brevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And don\u2019t be afraid to be humorous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think before you speak<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s perfectly acceptable to take a moment to answer a question. Just as in real life, not every answer is readily available, and you need a moment to think. Writing the question down can help with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Equally it is acceptable to ask for the hiring manager to repeat the question or even to rephrase if you\u2019re unclear what they mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t be afraid to say that you need a minute to think. Remember, they\u2019re looking for people who are capable, responsible and can be honest with them. Blurting out the first thing that pops into your head won\u2019t achieve that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead being calm, reflective, patient and respectful are all qualities any hiring manager would want in their team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Practice makes Perfect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Practice your interview with a friend or family member. This will allow you to prepare your answers more fully and familiarise yourself with the video interview format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arrange a video call with someone \u2013 ideally using computers \u2013 and have them ask you a series of mock interview questions. The internet is full of examples if you get stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can work through your answers and they can give you feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also gives you the opportunity to prepare your space for the interview. So \u2013 again \u2013 check your hardware is working. You can also make sure that there\u2019s nothing rude, offensive or distracting in the background too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stonebridge Associated Colleges is a leading UK provider of online courses. We are here to help you get the qualifications you need to achieve your career aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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