At Ubisoft Montreal, we’re still hiring – COVID-19 has just changed the way we go about the process. The main adjustment? We’ve moved to a completely virtual recruitment approach. Now, video interviews have replaced in-person ones. We know that for many, video interviews are uncharted territory. If that’s the case for you, we’ve got you covered. We gathered the advice of our Talent Acquisition Specialists to give you some guidance.
Without further ado, here are their top five tips for video interviews with the studio:
Set up your space
You’ll be in a familiar, less stressful environment for the interview: the comfort of your own home. So, choose a spot that makes you feel at ease.
We recommend opting for a calm, quiet area with a neutral – or, at least, clutter-free – background. Any brightness behind you could make you appear as a silhouette, so have a light source, like a window or lamp, in front of you.
2. Research & prepare
Just as you would for an in-person interview, find out more about us and our culture by browsing our studio website and social media accounts, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Re-read the job ad of the position you’re interviewing for and prepare questions about the role, the team, and the project.
Think of examples of experiences you’ve had and challenges you’ve faced that relate to the role. One of the advantages of video interviews is that they allow you to share your screen. So, if you have any content (like digital documentation, samples, etc.) you want to showcase, go for it!
Also, get to know your interviewees. Before the interview, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the names and job titles of the people you’ll be meeting. We encourage you to look up their LinkedIn profiles. (They’ll already know a bit about you from your CV. Why not learn about their backgrounds too?)
3. Check your equipment
Decide on the device you’ll use in advance (like a cell phone, laptop, desktop computer, or tablet) and have a potential plan B in place. No matter which device you choose, have its batteries charged or a power source nearby.
Make sure your audio and video are working correctly and that your internet connection is stable. You can hop on a video call with a friend or family member to do a quick test.
Your video interview confirmation email will include the name of the application we’ll be using (like Microsoft Teams, Skype, or Google Hangouts, for example) as well as the video interview link.
At least 30 minutes before it’s go-time, click on that link to verify that there aren’t any problems.
If you do encounter issues, just let us know – we’ll help you find a solution.
4. Be present
Limit distractions by turning off notifications that could take your focus away from the conversation.
Avoid multitasking. You can certainly take notes, but if you’re planning to do so on your device, give us a head’s up. We’re trying to create a connection with you, which could be challenging if you seem preoccupied.
If anything prevents you from giving your full attention and being engaged during your interview, you’re better off rescheduling to a later date; we’ll understand.
5. Be yourself
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Be it during an in-person or video interview we want to discover more about you, the real you, so show us your authentic self. Let your motivation come through. Non-verbal cues are less visible on camera, so don’t shy away from being expressive. And wear whatever makes you most comfortable and, well, feels like you (within reason, of course: no bathrobes, please!).
Know that things happen
- If you accidentally talk over someone, it’s alright.
- If you didn’t hear a question because of a glitch, don’t hesitate to ask to repeat it.
- If there are moments of silence throughout the discussion, it’s o.k.
- If you get interrupted during the interview, don’t worry. We’re all getting used to working from home for the long term, so who knows? You might see a child or pet pass by on our end. (It’s happened before, it’ll happen again).
- “Ça va bien aller,” as they say.
To view all of our career opportunities, take a look at our career page.
