Despite the COVID-19 pandemic greatly
slowing down economic activity throughout the world, the Philippine BPO
industry continued to function. Surprisingly, call
center hiring in Metro Manila continued, and
new positions even become available.
One major difference, though, is the
more widespread use of video conferencing apps for the job interviews, rather
than the usual face-to-face meetings. Call centers have long been recognized as
a health risk due to the close proximity of thousands of workers. This
closeness, as well as the fact that people who work the night shift tend to
have compromised immune systems has made BPOs especially wary of the dangers of
infectious illnesses such as COVID-19.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, large
numbers of job applicants would be onsite at almost any given time. As more
BPOs recognized the risks, video calls became the standard way these interviews
were done. Having job interviews done entirely through Zoom, Skype, or some
other remote conferencing software is an obvious way to not only reduce the
risk of contagion but also to improve the efficiency of the interview process
as well.
If you’re scheduled for a video
interview, first of all, congratulations! Now, you’ll have to do your best to
ensure that the call goes smoothly. Here are the things you should do before
your scheduled video call:
1.) Make
sure your webcam, speakers, and mic are working
If you’re using a
relatively new laptop, chances are you’re already covered. But if you use an
older laptop or a PC with external peripherals, you’ll want to make sure that
everything is working as intended.
2.) Use a
stable internet connection
Use the most stable
internet connection you have available. You don’t want random dropouts to
happen in the middle of your call. This is especially important if you’re
applying for a work-from-home position. Having a serious connectivity issue
from your end may even end up costing you the position if there is a
similarly-qualified applicant with better internet connectivity.
3.) Make a
test call
Now that you’re sure
your speakers, mic, webcam, and internet connection are all in order, it’s time
for you to make a test call. Most video calling apps have a test function, but
you can also try getting in touch with a friend as well.
4.) Consider
using a pair of headphones
While not strictly
necessary, a good pair of headphones or earbuds can help improve the audio
quality of the call. This will keep you from misunderstanding the interviewer,
keep outside noises from being too distracting, and give you some additional
privacy as well.
5.) Close
unneeded tabs and applications
Conserve your computer’s
resources to prevent your call from dropping out or from becoming too garbled.
You also want to close them so that you have your full attention on the call,
and won’t be tempted to do anything else while the interviewer is still there.
6.) Dress as
you would for a face-to-face job interview
Only clothing
appropriate for a professional face-to-face meeting should be worn on video
interviews. Contrary to popular practice, you shouldn’t just wear the top half
— you also want to wear appropriate trousers or a skirt as well. This is in
case you have to get up to do something — you don’t want the interviewer to see
something you don’t want them to see!
7.) Have a
notepad and a pen ready
Sure, you can also
write things down on a word processor. But having a pen and paper can be more
convenient as it won’t require you to put your video call window away.
8.) Have “the
talk” with people in your home
Tell your housemates,
parents, children, or whoever will be at home during your interview that you’ll
have an important job interview. Be sure to tell them the time as well as where
you’re taking it so that they know to not make any noise or present other
distractions during your call.
9.) Take the
interview in a quiet, private place
Avoid taking your calls
in cafes or other public spaces. If you have a choice, stay home or at least,
stick with a quieter place such as a coworking space’s meeting room.
10.) Do a
practice interview
As with any
face-to-face job interview, you want to do a practice run, if possible. Arrange
for a call with a friend who can take the role of the interviewer. While it may
seem a bit silly, doing this simple thing can increase your confidence and help
put you in the right state of mind for the real call ahead.
Even after the end of the pandemic, it’s
likely that BPOs will attempt to mitigate the risks of transmissible illnesses
by limiting the number of people on their premises. It’s even possible that
soon, even your final interviews will be done remotely. By following the
checklist above, you can maximize your chances of success, especially in the
post-pandemic BPO job market.
