Career Blog

How to Nail Your Next Video Interview

If you are looking for a job and have not yet been interviewed for a job via Zoom, Teams, Skype, or any kind of video platform, you may be part of a minority. You probably already know the basics, but we wanted to refresh your memory so that you can prepare.

1. Get your technology in working order

Make sure you have:

  • a solid internet connection;
  • fully charged batteries;
  • a working camera;
  • a functional microphone;
  • all the required apps (properly installed) as well as plugins;
  • the right camera angle;
  • a friend or family member to rehearse with!

2. Resolve logistic issues beforehand

Avoid:

  • clutter, embarrassing, or overly personal items in the background;
  • poor lighting;
  • background noise;
  • any source of physical discomfort;
  • clothes with jarring colours or distracting patterns;
  • social media, text or email alerts.

3. Rehearse until it becomes natural

Why not:

  • write down your talking points and your answers to anticipated questions (video interviews allow you to use notes so take advantage of it);
  • rehearse in the shower;
  • practice with a peer virtually;
  • book a mock interview on Teams with a Career Centre staff through Career Launch.

4. Prepare.

  • Write down your talking points in bullet-point form.
  • Create a list of questions for your interviewers and make sure to have space for their answers.
  • Have a cup of coffee or another beverage to help you keep from fidgeting and to make the interview slightly more convivial.

5. Embrace your mistakes.

Remember:

  • No one is perfect at video interviews except robots. And you are not a robot. You are a human.
  • Mistakes are not the end of the world; it is your ability to bounce back that matters.
  • If you blow an answer, pause, take a deep breath, acknowledge that you find yourself rambling, and simply ask to restart the answer.
  • Humility, humour, and humanity are also endearing qualities.

6. Show positivity

Try to maintain:

  • a friendly demeanour and a great smile;
  • your focus on the camera (and not on your notes);
  • a conversational tone (listening is key).

7. Express gratitude

Remember to:

  • send each of your interviewers a thank you note within 24 hours after the meeting; acknowledge the time of the person who coordinated the interview;
  • reiterate your interest for the position and remind your interviewers the value you bring to the team.

Why Going on Exchange is Good for You

It’s almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented to you.
No – it’s not only just presented to you: you are actually encouraged to take it.
The opportunity to experience new countries, new cities, new people, new everything.
And it’s handed to you on a silver plate by the University of Ottawa.

The International Exchange Program may sound daunting but the opportunity to go abroad for one semester (or more) during the school year is something that most students may not have the time to do after graduating. Or ever. Sure, there’ll be potential vacations and travelling in the future but the sense of being independent and living alone in a foreign country among places and people that you’ve only ever seen on screen or paper or heard about is uniquely different. This is perhaps the only time in your life when you will experience such a mixture of wonderment and exploration.

The great thing about this, is that this is not a luxury, nor selfish. The University of Ottawa encourages students to participate in the program, to experience what others have called “a life-changing period” in their lives.

That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

The opportunity peer out the window every morning to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.
The wonderment of watching the sunset in the late hours of Budapest.
The joy of going for your daily run in the bustling streets of Milan.
The amazement at the architecture in Amsterdam.
The excitement discovering the Singapore University of Technology and Design.
The breeze in your hair while biking in New Zealand.
The smile on your face as you take your first bite of a Belgium waffle.

That is the beauty of an international exchange.

View up a building

The hiring obstacles faced by international students

Foreign students in Canada do not always have an easy time building the foundations for a solid career. Indeed, international students face a number of obstacles when searching for work. This article deals with this subject and provides advice to all international students.

Lack of Canadian job experience

Private and public organizations are reluctant to trust international expertise and to hire applicants who lack work experience in Canada. Therefore, I recommend that international students get actively involved within the University, by volunteering, networking, taking part in work-study programs over the summer, in order to acquire precious Canadian job experience. Students don’t necessarily need to work in an office or in a prestigious position at first: the goal is to gain experience in any field. The skills they develop in any job can be transferred to other fields. In addition, Telfer’s Career Centre organizes many workshops and events, such as Telfer Connects and Telfer Networks, which are ideal for honing skills and finding tools that will help foreign students succeed.

International student status

Ottawa and Gatineau are government towns: since government is one of the area’s main employers, much of the job market is government-based. Unfortunately, international student status greatly limits access to certain positions in government and in private companies that have landed government contracts. I experienced this situation first hand when the CO-OP counsellor informed me that I would probably not be able to undertake a CO-OP placement in a government department, even though I am a permanent resident.

It’s all fine and well to network, meet people, get involved and succeed in your field, but some jobs will always be out of reach for those who are not Canadian citizens. When you’re told “You’re really competent, and we’d love to hire you, but unfortunately, you’re not a Canadian citizen”, you realize that being a foreign student is a real handicap and closes several doors.

Message to international students

Even so, the message I would like foreign students to take away from this article is that even if they don’t have a wide network in a host country, in this case Canada, they shouldn’t give up hope. Foreign students simply need to understand that they will have to work two or three times harder to reach their goals. This type of attitude can tip the scales and by knowing what to expect, students can prepare to face these challenges. I was once a foreign student and I know better than anyone what awaits us in Canada; even though I am now a permanent resident, there are still opportunities that are closed to me.

In closing, Canada is a beautiful country with more and more opportunities: a new Eldorado. The country’s growing immigrant population has increased diversity in Canada, creating an environment that is changing the attitudes and lifestyles of Canadians. Newcomers to Canada just need to work hard and keep hope alive. As is often say: there is light at the end of the tunnel.