While the COVID-19 pandemic will end at some point, remote work and remote job interviews are here to stay. From basic details to some tech tips, here’s how to prepare for a Virtual Job Interview.
Mind the Basics
Preparing for a virtual job interview means taking many of the steps you would take to prepare for an in-person interview. There are some basic details you should always pay attention to regardless of how the interview takes place:
- Be punctual.
- Wear professional attire.
- Research the company.
- Be ready to answer some common questions (such as “What can you bring to the company?” or “What are your strengths?”).
- Be prepared to talk about examples of your work.
Test Your Hardware
Here we venture into the steps that are unique to virtual interviews. Glitches and tech mishaps during a job interview can be distracting and in some cases may project an unprofessional image.
Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection the night before an interview. If possible, enroll the help of a friend to conduct a mock interview. This simple strategy will help you nip in the bud tech issues that may become frustrating problems during a real interview.
Reduce Distractions
Online interactions differ significantly from in-person exchanges, so you must prepare accordingly.
When talking online, people are more easily distracted. Chances are that the other person’s attention will tend to wander during the interview, so create an uncluttered background for your interview. This will keep distractions to a minimum while projecting a clean, professional image.
During your mock interview, pay attention to other common sources of distractions, such as lighting and acoustics. Is the light pleasant and uniform? Can the other person hear you clearly?
Use Body Language to Your Advantage
When it comes to job interviews, you want to use every possible detail to your advantage. In the case of virtual interviews, this means adapting the art of persuasive body language to the small frame of a webcam. Here are some suggestions you may find useful:
- When talking, look into your webcam, not at your reflection.
- Use hand movements (so avoid wearing jewelry that can make distracting noises as you do this).
- Place your hand near your heart when talking about deeply personal things or beliefs.
- Smile often when appropriate.
- Place your feet firmly on the ground and sit up straight.
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