The world has experienced a digital takeover, and much of what used to
\nhappen in person now takes place online. The process to apply for a job in
\nthe fashion industry is no exception: Instead of sitting down face-to-face,
\napplicants and recruiters now meet screen-to-screen. Many factors that
\napplicants should focus on during a personal job interview also apply to
\nother important video calls. <\/p>\n
First and foremost, it’s beneficial to find out which video program the
\nrecruiter will be using. The applicant should take time to set up the
\nsoftware, preferably in advance, said Nabila Staschel, senior executive
\nsearch consultant at the fashion personnel consultancy company Deeken HR in
\nBerlin. “You can start a day or two beforehand and make a test call.” When
\ntesting, applicants should make sure that the camera and microphone are
\nworking. She also advised not to rely on the program’s built in tests, but
\nto make a real test call. If the technology is up and running, it is also
\nless likely to cause uncertainty during the interview. <\/p>\n
A second important factor to ensure a successful video call is the
\nlighting. The applicant must certify that he or she is clearly visible in
\nthe video and is not sitting in the dark. “We always recommend using
\ndaylight as much as possible,” said Staschel. “This means aligning the
\nlaptop or camera so that it falls against daylight, exposing you to it.”
\nSitting with your back to daylight can give the impression of having a
\n“halo” and dazzle your conversation partner. <\/p>\n
“We’re all in our private rooms now and one thing to consider is what we
\nwant to share with others,” said Staschel. “When the desk is in the
\nbedroom, it’s possible that the wardrobe and perhaps the dog basket next to
\nit are in view. You should consider: How serious does this look and do I
\nwant it to be seen?” This does not mean that everyone needs to show a
\nbright white wall behind them or that they need to furnish an office room
\nfor this purpose. <\/p>\n
Instead, Staschel advised that it is important to find a background that
\nlooks serious and does not disturb anyone. A bookcase, for example, is a
\ngood background, or even a photo wall. You should feel comfortable with the
\nbackground and testing it beforehand to see if it looks serious and
\nappealing is always an option. “We always advise a certain genuinity here,”
\nStaschel continued. “We don’t need to set up a whiteboard with notes on it.
\nIt’s about seeing if I can use my background to convey the insight that I’d
\nlike to.” <\/p>\n
“In the end, I always tell candidates to pretend as if they’re going to
\na personal interview. This also applies to clothing,” she advised. Even
\nwhen interviewing for a job via video, candidates should wear everything
\nthey would otherwise wear for a job interview. But does this mean that you
\nshould sit at home in front of the computer screen wearing a suit? “It
\ndepends,” said Staschel. “In the fashion, consumer goods or lifestyle
\nindustry, classic ‘suit conversations’ – with the exception of the luxury
\nsegment – are no longer so common. It’s more about fashion consciousness.”\n<\/p>\n
Genuinity may not be conveyed by sitting in front of a bookcase in a
\nthree-piece suit. “It’s all about feeling comfortable. Everyone has to
\nidentify with a clothing style,” she explained. For men, during a somewhat
\nformal conversation, she advised to wear a jacket with a chic turtleneck,
\nor even just a well-fitting turtleneck. Women can choose a blouse and lave
\nout the jacket. “It’s perhaps unusual for many to wear a blazer within
\ntheir own walls. You can try it on and if it doesn’t fit, take it off.”\n<\/p>\n
The job position and sector within the fashion industry also plays a
\nrole. In most video interviews that Staschel has accompanied since the
\nspread of the coronavirus, rather than suits, men have been wearing a
\nshirt, blazer or turtleneck sweater, while women chose a blouse. As is the
\nnorm with the choice of clothes at a job interview, Staschel advised: “To
\nfeel secure and comfortable, applicants should ask themselves which company
\nthey are applying to. What does it express? What is its position in the
\nmarket? What type of fashion does it focus on? What are its collections?
\nWhat can I represent genuinely?” In the end, it is about creating a “new
\nnormal” and embodying the values of the company, just like in a personal
\ninterview. <\/p>\n
Everything is going as planned: the background, the light and the
\noutfit. But then, despite the previous test, the technology used puts a
\ndamper on your performance. Should candidates who are experiencing issues
\nwith their internet connection or microphone address these immediately?
\n“Absolutely,” said Staschel. “If there’s a problem with the connection,
\ndon’t get nervous. This is technology and it usually doesn’t work right
\naway. Contact them directly and ask them to start the video again. There
\nwill be enough time, because this is a new situation for everyone.” It’s
\nworse if you don’t address technical problems and cannot have the quality
\nconversation you would have had without a bad connection, Staschel
\nbelieved. “From my point of view, solution-oriented and communication are
\nthe be-all and end-all.” <\/p>\n
Read more:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Bild: Anna Shvets \/ Pexels<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 … <\/p>\n