Are Video Interviews The Gateway To Your Next Job In Dubai?

For any of you who are looking to relocate from their own country to take up an expatriate assignment in Dubai, then the best way to do this is to find a job first while in your home country and then your prospective employer will sponsor your visa application and assist you to take up residency in Dubai. This is without doubt the most effective way to get an international assignment in Dubai.

What you should be aware of however is, that for international assignments especially, there is a strong likelihood that your first interview may be a video interview. Why? Because this is a great way for companies to make a detailed assessment of candidate — that is to see how they behave and how they appear — without having to pay the costs to fly numerous expatriate candidates out to Dubai for first round interviews.

In fact, companies are increasingly relying on video interviews as part of the interview process as shown by research from the Aberdeen Group which found that 42% of companies are now making use of video interviews, compared to just 10% in 2010.

So, if you are one of the many thousands of overseas applicants looking to get an expat job in Dubai you must become an effective video interviewee. And yes, it does require some additional preparation than what is needed for a face to face interview and below we have provided several tips to help you prepare effectively for a video interview, which will enable you to perform better and maximize your chance of making it to second interview, possibly on site in Dubai.

5 Tips To Prepare For and Perform at Video Interview.

1.Optimize the viewing environment (bedroom/study/home office)

Make sure that you optimize the viewing environment prior to your video interview, so that your interviewer has the best possible viewing experience. So, you must ensure that the viewing area and room is adequately lighted. We recommend that you position a lamp on the desk in front of you and this will illuminate the viewing area. Also, make sure to remove all possible sources of distraction, which means shutting windows and blinds.

2. Dress formally as in a normal interview

Dress as you would in a standard face to face interview which means a suit. Avoid wearing striped shirts or jackets as this can have a distracting effect in the camera.

3. High quality video camera

We recommend that you buy/borrow a high quality video camera, ideally of HD quality as you want your video image to be of impeccable quality – as this will make a good impression on the interviewer.

4. Optimize your desk and seating area for video presentation

Prior to the interview, set up the camera so that head and upper body are at the centre of the camera’s view and ensure that you are looking directly at the camera as this will give the interviewer the impression that you are making eye contact which is an important element of interview communication. It is also useful for the interviewer to be able to see your upper body as they can then read your body language which will allow for more effective communication.

5. Maintain a good posture during the interview

Remember the interviewer will be closely watching your body language during the video interview so ensure that you appear alert, engaged and enthusiastic and you can do this by making sure that you maintain a good posture during the interview. This means sitting upright and not slouching and looking into the camera regularly so it appears to the interviewer that you are making eye contact.

Finally, we strongly recommend that you do a practice video interview with a friend to see how you come across in your video presentation – and you can use their feedback to make any necessary changes to your video interview style.