Interviewing and hiring has gone digital. Virtual interviewing platforms such as HireVue have become an integral part of the process, leaving students challenged with this interviewing environment.

The Center for Student Professional Development (CSPD) at the Fox School of Business invited Stephanie Cabalatungan, early talent acquisition partner at Prudential, to host a Hire Vue Secrets & Virtual Interview Tips webinar as part of its ongoing Back to Business Bootcamp series.

The Back to Business Bootcamp series helps students develop an in-depth understanding of networking, career development and interviewing best practices. “Employer partnerships are essential not only to maintain brand eminence with Fox but also to establish the importance between education and how it relates to the future of work,” says Meg Wherrity, associate director of employer partnerships in CSPD. 

Wherrity also discussed the importance of students being involved in the virtual sessions as a way to enhance their professional development. 

“By participating in Back to Business Bootcamp sessions, students can engage with prospective employers and gain real-world insight into employer processes and best practices,” said Stephanie Cabalatungan. 

For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) had become an integral part of the interviewing and hiring process, even before the pandemic. Brighid Scanlon, CSPD’s assistant director of undergraduate professional development, offered students tips for preparing for their digital interview. 

“Students should get a list of common interview questions and outline responses to each one using evidence from their work history. Then, they can practice out loud and time themselves,” says Scanlon. 

There are two types of virtual interviews students should be aware of: synchronous, as in live with an employer via Zoom or WebEx, or asynchronous, such as responses recorded via HireVue and other AI interviewing platforms.

“Students can practice with AI-based interviews on Big Interview and get AI feedback to see how HireVue and other AI platforms will evaluate them,” says Scanlon.

The three main steps to help students prepare for their digital interviews: 

• Make sure their technology is adequately set up in a quiet environment with a plain background.
• Create a personal connection during the interviewing process.
• Schedule a mock interview appointment with a CSPD staff member via Handshake.

Although the interviewing and hiring process may look different this year, the Center for Student Professional Development (CSPD) motivates students to be capable of succeeding regardless of the circumstance.  All Fox students will have the chance to practice their virtual interviewing skills at CSPD’s Rock the Mock event on October 21^st.  During Rock the Mock, the Center for Student Professional Development will offer on-demand virtual mock interviews with employer partners from a variety of industries.