Virtual interviews have become increasingly popular in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially with the rise of remote and work-from-home jobs. Remote interviews are especially popular for human resources assessments and behavioral interviews, making it essential for modern job seekers to adapt their interview skills to the virtual landscape. Here are some tips and strategies to help you succeed in a virtual interview:
Prepare your technical setup
Before the interview, make sure you have a stable Internet connection and that the computer or phone you will use for the interview can run the video conferencing software that will be used for the interview. Popular software for remote interviews include Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. Check that your webcam angle, lighting, and background give a professional impression and that your video doesn’t look too dark or too light.
When scheduling the interview, make arrangements with your interviewer or HR contact to have a backup plan in case of any technical difficulties, such as having a contact number to call to continue the interview over the phone if necessary.
Dress professionally
Although you may be interviewed from the comfort of your home and will only appear in the video from the shoulders up, you should dress as you would for an in-person interview. Dressing professionally will help you feel more confident and prepared during the interview.
Pay attention to your clothing choice from head to toe and resist the temptation to wear sweatpants with a dress shirt! You never know when you’ll need to stand up or move around during the interview, and if you’re not prepared to get up suddenly, it will definitely happen.
Choose a suitable location
Select a private, quiet, well-lit area for your virtual interview, where you will not be disturbed by pets, roommates, or family members. Inform your roommates and family that you will be interviewing remotely and ask them not to disturb you during the interview time. Avoid any loud background noise that your computer’s microphone might pick up, such as cleaning appliances, gardening equipment, barking dogs, and televisions. If you can’t find a suitable location, try a professional-looking virtual background or blur filter.
Practice non-verbal communication
Non-verbal cues play an important role in virtual interviews. It is important to make good “eye contact” with your interviewer by looking directly at the camera, rather than watching the interviewer’s video. Sit up straight, maintain good posture, and use natural hand gestures, making sure your hands appear on camera. Be sure to smile and nod to express engagement and interest in the conversation during the interview, but don’t force or exaggerate your facial expressions just because the interview is taking place virtually.
Avoid fidgeting or looking away from the camera, as this may come across as disinterest or lack of confidence. If you are prone to shifting in your chair, make sure you don’t have a swivel office chair or a chair that rocks; You may not even notice how much you’re moving, and movement can be very distracting to your interviewer.
Minimize distractions
Turn off or close all other apps, notifications, and sounds on your computer or phone before the interview. Close all irrelevant tabs and programs and avoid multitasking during the conversation. You should give the interviewer your full attention to show respect for their time and effort in conducting the interview.
Remove anything that could distract you from your field of vision so you can focus on the interview, including your cell phone, pets, documents, and hobbies—anything that could distract you from the interviewer.
Prepare relevant materials
Save all the materials you may need.