NEW! Guided Applicant Process - You will get insights and advice through three guided electronic steps in the hiring process for $50.00 each or $150.00 total. You will be more prepared and more confident after getting mock interview questions, key insights about the hiring process and model documents to review. The key steps include: (Click here to get started with the Guided Applicant Process)
Resume & Cover Letter Feedback - For a nominal fee, Trent will review your resume and cover letter and provide you feedback. Complete the request for this service or email him directly here (tgrundmeyer@gmail.com).
Resume & Cover Letter Revisions - For a moderate fee ($50.00-150.00), Trent will review and update your resume and cover letter. Please allow 2-3 weeks for this service depending on the necessary revisions. Complete the request for this service or email him directly here (tgrundmeyer@gmail.com).
Mock Interview - On a date, time and location set by you and the consultant, you can prepare for future interviews by engaging in a mock interview session. The fee for this experience is normally $250.00 (plus millage if necessary). The consultant will provide general feedback to you around your application materials, interview question responses, body language, and answer other questions you may. The mock interview will utilize many of the same interview questions that are common to leader searches and help build your confidence in the hiring process. Complete the request for this service or email Trent directly at tgrundmeyer@gmail.com.
- Polishing your papers (insights and advice for polishing application documents)
- Preparing to be screened (Preparing for the initial interview)
- Fine-Tuning for the formal interview (Progressing on to the final interview stages of the hiring process)
Resume & Cover Letter Feedback - For a nominal fee, Trent will review your resume and cover letter and provide you feedback. Complete the request for this service or email him directly here (tgrundmeyer@gmail.com).
Resume & Cover Letter Revisions - For a moderate fee ($50.00-150.00), Trent will review and update your resume and cover letter. Please allow 2-3 weeks for this service depending on the necessary revisions. Complete the request for this service or email him directly here (tgrundmeyer@gmail.com).
Mock Interview - On a date, time and location set by you and the consultant, you can prepare for future interviews by engaging in a mock interview session. The fee for this experience is normally $250.00 (plus millage if necessary). The consultant will provide general feedback to you around your application materials, interview question responses, body language, and answer other questions you may. The mock interview will utilize many of the same interview questions that are common to leader searches and help build your confidence in the hiring process. Complete the request for this service or email Trent directly at tgrundmeyer@gmail.com.
How to Ace the Virtual Interview
In this Chronicle of Higher Education article, search consultant Kim Brettschneider says that virtual interviews have advantages (no travel, for one thing), but she’s also seen a number of snafus, including:
- The camera focusing on a candidate’s shiny forehead;
- A pet, an unmade bed, or a naked toddler in the background;
- The candidate, thinking he is on mute, shouting at a spouse to be quiet and telling a child to “go pee;”
- Candidates putting on eye makeup, sneezing onto the screen, and summoning kids to manage the technology;
- Committee members, thinking they’re on mute, talking about the candidate.
“Some of those mistakes are recoverable and some aren’t,” says Brettschneider, “yet most are entirely avoidable.” Her suggestions:
• Consider an artificial background. If an attractive, office-like background or a plain wall isn’t available, use a virtual backdrop from your video service. Not a forest or a beach, though, and keep in mind that if a curious pet or a bored spouse gets within two feet of the camera, they will unexpectedly “pop” through the virtual background. It’s a good idea to do interviews behind a locked door, or perhaps with a child sitting next to you with “work” and crayons, and introduce him or her at the beginning of your interview.
• If life happens, roll with it. “Pick up your toddler, give your dog a bone, and continue with the interview,” advises Brettschneider. “Everyone is much more understanding of awkward live moments during this time of quarantine.” Such moments may even work to your advantage, making a human connection.
• Make muting the default. “Play it safe if you are worried about a sudden meow, bickering children, or loud blenders in the background,” says Brettschneider. Mute your sound and have a finger on the unmute button (in Zoom, it’s the space bar) so you can speak on cue. In addition, shut down e-mail and online chat programs.
• Practice like a TV analyst. It’s a good idea to rehearse talking points beforehand, perhaps recording yourself and watching with a critical eye. But for the actual interview, Brettschneider says, “what matters most is to be fully attentive… and ready to improvise based on what you hear. Active listening is even more important in a video interview because you can’t take in as many visual cues as you do in a face-to-face conversation.”
• Have your notes on the screen. Be familiar with how to minimize your image so you can sneak a peek at important lists you’ve prepared.
• Make eye contact with the camera. Center your torso on the screen, look up at where the camera is, and glance only occasionally at notes and the faces of interviewers.
• Have your own name at the bottom of your screen. If you’re using someone else’s computer, be sure to change it in settings, and consider doing a dry run of the interview with a critical friend to pick up any other possible distractions.
• Be prepared for a connection freeze. This happens, and if it does, have your cellphone handy (silenced) with the main interviewer’s number programmed in so you can make a quick call while you reboot and reconnect. It’s also wise to pause after each answer in case there’s an audio lag, giving interviewers a chance to follow up without being interrupted.
• Smile early and often. “You are on camera with your future colleagues,” Brettschneider concludes. “Smile (naturally), sit up straight, and speak clearly. Enjoy the chance to talk about your proudest moments… In some ways, a flat screen levels the playing field and allows more equal opportunity to shine in an interview setting and demonstrate advantages.”
“How to Ace the Virtual Interview” by Kim Brettschneider in The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 15, 2020 (Vol. 66, #29, pp. 37-38)
- The camera focusing on a candidate’s shiny forehead;
- A pet, an unmade bed, or a naked toddler in the background;
- The candidate, thinking he is on mute, shouting at a spouse to be quiet and telling a child to “go pee;”
- Candidates putting on eye makeup, sneezing onto the screen, and summoning kids to manage the technology;
- Committee members, thinking they’re on mute, talking about the candidate.
“Some of those mistakes are recoverable and some aren’t,” says Brettschneider, “yet most are entirely avoidable.” Her suggestions:
• Consider an artificial background. If an attractive, office-like background or a plain wall isn’t available, use a virtual backdrop from your video service. Not a forest or a beach, though, and keep in mind that if a curious pet or a bored spouse gets within two feet of the camera, they will unexpectedly “pop” through the virtual background. It’s a good idea to do interviews behind a locked door, or perhaps with a child sitting next to you with “work” and crayons, and introduce him or her at the beginning of your interview.
• If life happens, roll with it. “Pick up your toddler, give your dog a bone, and continue with the interview,” advises Brettschneider. “Everyone is much more understanding of awkward live moments during this time of quarantine.” Such moments may even work to your advantage, making a human connection.
• Make muting the default. “Play it safe if you are worried about a sudden meow, bickering children, or loud blenders in the background,” says Brettschneider. Mute your sound and have a finger on the unmute button (in Zoom, it’s the space bar) so you can speak on cue. In addition, shut down e-mail and online chat programs.
• Practice like a TV analyst. It’s a good idea to rehearse talking points beforehand, perhaps recording yourself and watching with a critical eye. But for the actual interview, Brettschneider says, “what matters most is to be fully attentive… and ready to improvise based on what you hear. Active listening is even more important in a video interview because you can’t take in as many visual cues as you do in a face-to-face conversation.”
• Have your notes on the screen. Be familiar with how to minimize your image so you can sneak a peek at important lists you’ve prepared.
• Make eye contact with the camera. Center your torso on the screen, look up at where the camera is, and glance only occasionally at notes and the faces of interviewers.
• Have your own name at the bottom of your screen. If you’re using someone else’s computer, be sure to change it in settings, and consider doing a dry run of the interview with a critical friend to pick up any other possible distractions.
• Be prepared for a connection freeze. This happens, and if it does, have your cellphone handy (silenced) with the main interviewer’s number programmed in so you can make a quick call while you reboot and reconnect. It’s also wise to pause after each answer in case there’s an audio lag, giving interviewers a chance to follow up without being interrupted.
• Smile early and often. “You are on camera with your future colleagues,” Brettschneider concludes. “Smile (naturally), sit up straight, and speak clearly. Enjoy the chance to talk about your proudest moments… In some ways, a flat screen levels the playing field and allows more equal opportunity to shine in an interview setting and demonstrate advantages.”
“How to Ace the Virtual Interview” by Kim Brettschneider in The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 15, 2020 (Vol. 66, #29, pp. 37-38)
Webinars
ISFIS Special Topic Webinar on Best Practices in Search, Hire and Support of New Administrators, Margaret Buckton and special guest expert, Trent Grundmeyer, Grundmeyer Leader Services, discussed best practices in the area of leadership transitions. See the links to the video recording, accompanying PowerPoint presentation, and the recap of topics below.
View the Webinar Recording
View the Accompanying PPT
View the Webinar Recording
View the Accompanying PPT
ELB 186 Assoc. Prof of Ed Leadership @ Drake U Trent Grundmeyer (Education Leadership and Beyond)
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/education-leadership-and-beyond/id1342413888?i=1000545555837
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/education-leadership-and-beyond/id1342413888?i=1000545555837
