How to prepare for a Virtual Job Interview

Grabbing that dream job today is not easy, and you need to excel in many areas. Your excellent resume certainly creates an impact; however, verbal skills still hold the utmost importance. This is true for face-to-face and virtual job interviews. The current scenario indicates that virtual interviews and video introductions will be the most prominent hiring methods in the coming years.

More and more organizations are now using video interviews to shortlist candidates for various positions. This is not only cost-effective but also time-saving and comfortable for both the interviewer and the candidate.

Virtual Job Interview Tips

First, get to know the various video conferencing platforms available these days, which can be used by the organization to interview the candidate. These tools are generally sophisticated and highly user friendly. However, the challenge lies in being accustomed to using these tools with finesses and creating a lasting impact on your interviewer, seemingly like face-to-face interaction.

Hence, before discussing how to prepare for a virtual job interview, here is a glimpse of specific challenges that arise during video interviews.

Challenges you may face during a virtual job interview & how to avoid them

1] Technical glitches like unstable internet connection, freaky devices, and unsolicited noise in the mic can ruin your interview. It is crucial to make sure that your virtual interview goes well. We all know technical glitches are unavoidable, and accidents may happen despite much preparation. However, one should be prudent to check all the gadgets and internet connectivity before agreeing to schedule an interview over video conferencing. It is understood that you should check all your devices like cameras, microphones, speakers, and internet connectivity beforehand. Doing a test call with someone is also advisable to ensure everything is working well.

2] Besides, bad lighting and inability to view your gestures clearly can annoy the interviewer. Hence, make sure you are sitting in a bright room. The surroundings should look clean and tidy; you must not appear clumsy and unorganized to the interviewer. It is better to have a bare wall or clear background. Make sure there is no clutter in your location. You may also use some professional virtual backgrounds or blur the background, feature available on some platforms. Teams, Zoom, etc, all allow you to set a virtual background. You also have the option to blur the background in Teams and Skype.

3] External disturbances can make a wrong impression on the interviewer. Hence, select a room that causes the least disturbances and external noise. While appearing for an interview from home on a video call, make sure that you are at a quiet and secluded spot where there are minimum distractions and noise. Make sure you are away from the kitchen or living room to avoid unnecessary noise.

4] Shabby dressing and inattentive appearance can create a negative impact. A virtual job interview is as important as a face-to-face interview. Hence, make sure you dress smartly, if not over.

5] Do not look unprepared. Be Technology ready. In case you want to pursue a career online and plan to appear for virtual interviews, it is essential to invest in quality microphones and web cameras. If the built-in camera on your laptop or computer is not high quality, it is good to upgrade or arrange a better one. Interviewers may not want to look at a grainy image of their prospective employer.

• Check your video quality on your computer camera
• Check the microphone to ensure your voice is not breaking or echoing
• Check Speakers? headphones to make sure you can listen to what the interviewers are saying
• Setup your workspace near Wi-Fi Router or use LAN cable to make sure that the connectivity is good
• Pay attention to your software or video conferencing platform, and it is advisable to install the software instead use the web version

6] Professional Tip: Avoid taking an interview on a mobile phone. It may not have all the features, and holding the smartphone in your hands while appearing for an interview/ Video conference may look unprofessional.

How to prepare for a virtual job interview

1] Make sure you have all the paraphernalia sorted and placed right on your desk before the interview starts. This is to ensure you do not look disoriented to the interviewer. Make sure you have your answers, your objectives, and your expectations clearly defined. Do not fumble during the interview and never look for answers on the internet while appearing in a virtual interview.

2] Professional Tip: Always have a printout of essential documents like your resume and experience letters, in front of you.

3] Dress well and look sophisticated. Often, people forget that even though the interview takes place from their homes, they are connected to the official group virtually. It is essential to look professional and dress in formal wear like you would in your face-to-face interview. Make sure to dress up in a blazer or a formal shirt; the business formals are preferable for virtual interviews. Do not appear shabby and unprepared for the interview.

4] Get to the point fast. The virtual meetings and interviews are timed, so you do not have all the time to start small talk to warm up the group. It is essential to make a connection fast, indulge in personal stories, and share your real-life examples and experiences with the interviewer to make a lasting impact.

5] Genuineness matters. Pretentiousness is often unappreciated, especially when employers are looking for the right candidate for their jobs. Thus, being yourself and speaking naturally while appearing in a virtual interview is essential. Make the conversations real and engaging instead of looking unreal and giving a prepared speech.

6] Mind your body language. While we remain seated, during a virtual interview, it is usually still important to pay attention to our body language while talking to the interviewer. It is advisable to keep your camera upright at the eye length to investigate the camera while speaking, giving an impression of face to face communication. You will appear unconfident if you fiddle here and there while answering a question.

7] Avoid typing or answering text for the entire length of the interview. It appears as a significant distraction to the interviewer. Though you are not in a boardroom, you are virtually inside a meeting room, so you should look attentive and confident.

8] Sit upright with the back straight to look more formal and prepared. People who lean or laid back appear sloppy and disinterested in conversations. It is better to select a comfortable chair and cushion it well, so you do not struggle with your position while seating.

9] Prudently make use of hand gestures to appear confident and informed.

Follow prudent video conferencing etiquette.

How do you introduce yourself in a virtual interview?

To introduce yourself in a virtual interview, start by greeting everyone, stating your name, and briefly mentioning your background or current role. Ensure your introduction is concise, professional, and relevant to the position you’re applying for to make a positive first impression.

What is the hardest part of a virtual interview?

Final words

If you follow these simple tips and stay prepared beforehand, you can successfully make a lasting impression on the interviewer during a virtual job interview.

Useful link: Best free Job Search Sites for searching for jobs online.