The world has experienced a digital takeover, and much of what used to
happen in person now takes place online. The process to apply for a job in
the fashion industry is no exception: Instead of sitting down face-to-face,
applicants and recruiters now meet screen-to-screen. Many factors that
applicants should focus on during a personal job interview also apply to
other important video calls.
Checking technology in advance
First and foremost, it’s beneficial to find out which video program the
recruiter will be using. The applicant should take time to set up the
software, preferably in advance, said Nabila Staschel, senior executive
search consultant at the fashion personnel consultancy company Deeken HR in
Berlin. “You can start a day or two beforehand and make a test call.” When
testing, applicants should make sure that the camera and microphone are
working. She also advised not to rely on the program’s built in tests, but
to make a real test call. If the technology is up and running, it is also
less likely to cause uncertainty during the interview.
Daylight
A second important factor to ensure a successful video call is the
lighting. The applicant must certify that he or she is clearly visible in
the video and is not sitting in the dark. “We always recommend using
daylight as much as possible,” said Staschel. “This means aligning the
laptop or camera so that it falls against daylight, exposing you to it.”
Sitting with your back to daylight can give the impression of having a
“halo” and dazzle your conversation partner.
Background
“We’re all in our private rooms now and one thing to consider is what we
want to share with others,” said Staschel. “When the desk is in the
bedroom, it’s possible that the wardrobe and perhaps the dog basket next to
it are in view. You should consider: How serious does this look and do I
want it to be seen?” This does not mean that everyone needs to show a
bright white wall behind them or that they need to furnish an office room
for this purpose.
Instead, Staschel advised that it is important to find a background that
looks serious and does not disturb anyone. A bookcase, for example, is a
good background, or even a photo wall. You should feel comfortable with the
background and testing it beforehand to see if it looks serious and
appealing is always an option. “We always advise a certain genuinity here,”
Staschel continued. “We don’t need to set up a whiteboard with notes on it.
It’s about seeing if I can use my background to convey the insight that I’d
like to.”
Clothing
“In the end, I always tell candidates to pretend as if they’re going to
a personal interview. This also applies to clothing,” she advised. Even
when interviewing for a job via video, candidates should wear everything
they would otherwise wear for a job interview. But does this mean that you
should sit at home in front of the computer screen wearing a suit? “It
depends,” said Staschel. “In the fashion, consumer goods or lifestyle
industry, classic ‘suit conversations’ – with the exception of the luxury
segment – are no longer so common. It’s more about fashion consciousness.”
Genuinity may not be conveyed by sitting in front of a bookcase in a
three-piece suit. “It’s all about feeling comfortable. Everyone has to
identify with a clothing style,” she explained. For men, during a somewhat
formal conversation, she advised to wear a jacket with a chic turtleneck,
or even just a well-fitting turtleneck. Women can choose a blouse and lave
out the jacket. “It’s perhaps unusual for many to wear a blazer within
their own walls. You can try it on and if it doesn’t fit, take it off.”
The job position and sector within the fashion industry also plays a
role. In most video interviews that Staschel has accompanied since the
spread of the coronavirus, rather than suits, men have been wearing a
shirt, blazer or turtleneck sweater, while women chose a blouse. As is the
norm with the choice of clothes at a job interview, Staschel advised: “To
feel secure and comfortable, applicants should ask themselves which company
they are applying to. What does it express? What is its position in the
market? What type of fashion does it focus on? What are its collections?
What can I represent genuinely?” In the end, it is about creating a “new
normal” and embodying the values of the company, just like in a personal
interview.
Technical issues
Everything is going as planned: the background, the light and the
outfit. But then, despite the previous test, the technology used puts a
damper on your performance. Should candidates who are experiencing issues
with their internet connection or microphone address these immediately?
“Absolutely,” said Staschel. “If there’s a problem with the connection,
don’t get nervous. This is technology and it usually doesn’t work right
away. Contact them directly and ask them to start the video again. There
will be enough time, because this is a new situation for everyone.” It’s
worse if you don’t address technical problems and cannot have the quality
conversation you would have had without a bad connection, Staschel
believed. “From my point of view, solution-oriented and communication are
the be-all and end-all.”
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