Right now, it’s definitely a seller’s market when it comes to RT jobs. Hospitals in many parts of the country are desperate for therapists to help alleviate the burden being placed on overworked RTs who have been battling on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a year and a half.
In many cases, departments are having to go significantly outside of their geographical area to find available staff, and that means job interviews are increasingly being conducted via Zoom or another remote video technology.
We’ve all become accustomed to visiting with friends and family this way during the pandemic, and even attending educational events like the AARC Congress (which is once again going to be held virtually this fall).
But interviewing on Zoom is different from talking to the parents or grandparents or even tuning in to a professional conference. How can you put your best foot forward in a virtual environment?
Here are six tips that can help you look just as good on the small screen as you would in person —
- Before the interview date, take some time to ensure your WiFi connection is solid and that you have your computer, laptop, or other device in a location where the signal is strong. You don’t want to freeze up during the interview due to an unstable connection.
- It is also a good idea to do a test run — have someone call you on Zoom or whatever other platform you’ll be using and then assess the quality of the video. You don’t want to be in a room that’s so sunny you have a glare on your face, or in a place that’s too dark for the hiring manager to get a good look at you.
- While you’re at it, take a few moments to practice answering a few questions with someone you trust on the other end. Ask them to critique your appearance and demeanor on the screen, and your delivery of the answers. Practice really does make perfect.
- When the big day arrives, be sure to load up the program you will be using during the interview — Zoom, etc. — an hour or so ahead of time to ensure you have the latest version installed on your device. You don’t want to pull it up at the last minute only to find that it must update before proceeding.
- What should you wear? This is a job interview, so dress exactly as you would if you were going to meet the hiring manager in person. And don’t think you just need to look good from the waist up. While you probably won’t have to get up during the interview, in case you do, you don’t want the hiring manager to see that you have on a nice blouse or shirt and tie with your gym shorts.
- Lastly, eliminate or minimize as much as possible any and all distractions. Give the kids a snack and put on their favorite movie, put the dog outside or in his crate where he can’t be heard, set your phone to mute, and turn off all TVs, radios, and any other sound-maker in your home before you click on “Join Meeting.”
Following these simple tips will help ensure your next remote interview goes as planned!
For more interviewing tips from the AARC visit our Interviewing Advice page.
