How to Get Ready for an Online Interview
Are you ready for the new norm of video interviews? Amanda reveals the effective video interview technique that led to her being hired by the Yoga club.
Although COVID-19 made virtual interviews a requirement, their appeal among companies is expected to endure after the epidemic. Employers find virtual interviewing advantageous because it streamlines the interview process, eliminates schedule difficulties, saves money, and increases the candidate pool.
We go through the greatest strategies for succeeding in your upcoming virtual interview in this post.
A virtual interview is what is it?
A virtual interview is one that is conducted online, occasionally over the phone, and frequently via the use of video conferencing and other online communication tools. Virtual interviews are frequently done similarly to in-person interviews. Despite this, because it is difficult to discern facial emotions and body language while communicating virtually, extra precautions and adaptations are needed.
How to do well in a video interview
You’ll probably be requested to do virtual interviews if you’re in the middle of your job hunt. Consider the following factors to position yourself for success:
1. Check your technology in advance
A PC with a camera and microphone, software like Google Hangouts or Zoom, and a steady internet connection are necessary for a virtual interview. Check all of your equipment to make sure it functions properly and can be utilised for communication at least one day before your virtual interview. To accomplish that, you must have a working computer that complies with technical requirements, download any required software, and confirm that your internet connection is powerful enough to support streaming video.
Check your internet connection and log in to the video or phone meeting offered by the recruiting manager or HR representative 15 to 30 minutes before to your interview. To make sure everything is operational in time for your chat, turn on the sound and the video.
2. Dress appropriately
You ought to present yourself professionally in both a face-to-face interview and a virtual one. By doing this, you not only come out as professional and enthusiastic about the chance, but you’ll also feel more ready and in control. You should anticipate that an interview conducted remotely, such as from your home, would be just as professional as one conducted in an office. If you’re unsure, business casual is a decent guideline to follow.
3. Get ready beforehand
As with any interview, spending time preparing beforehand will provide the greatest outcomes. Just because you are using a computer doesn’t mean you should rely on your capacity to find up information fast or on ready-made responses that you can refer to. To avoid seeming rehearsed and unnatural, you should prepare so you can speak naturally without pausing or reading aloud from a script.
Employers could provide you with a list of questions in advance that they expect you to respond to; this helps guide your research. You’ll be prompted to respond more frequently without having seen the questions first. If so, get ready just like you would for a face-to-face interview:
4. Minimize interruptions
A peaceful area with minimal interruptions is the ideal setting for an interview at home. Pick a spot that looks tidy and professional so the interviewer can concentrate on you and not the surroundings. If you don’t have a specific place for your office, you can also utilise your kitchen table, a bedroom or guest bedroom, or even a closet that has been emptied out. Instead than using your lap or couch as a computer surface, try using a table or desk.
Inform others with whom you share a space of the location and time of your interview as well as the fact that you and your quiet place will be off-limits at that time. Respectfully explain that it is ideal for the house to be quiet with few distractions at this period. You may also confine dogs to a specific room during crucial work hours, if possible.
5. Display appropriate body language
It’s crucial to use body language in a clear, professional manner since using body language to communicate during a video or phone interview is constrained. For instance, maintain your calm and take a time to gather your ideas if you receive an unexpected inquiry.
Make sure your camera is positioned such that your face is in the centre of the screen while sitting up straight (not too much blank space above or below your head). You often shake hands with a potential employer at the start and the conclusion of an interview. It’s a crucial body language indicator that aids in building the connection. Find various methods to welcome and appear enthusiastic instead, such as by grinning and waving confidently while making eye contact.
6. Create rapport
In every commercial interaction, having a rapport is crucial since it enables you to stand out from the competition by developing a close contact with the interviewer. Your excitement, body language, handshake, and initial small chat all contribute to creating that connection with your potential employer when you interview in person.
Finding strategies to build rapport is still vital while conversing electronically. You may do this by being ready to discuss a shared interest, by finding another neutral subject to learn more about your interviewer, by inquiring about their experience with virtual interviews, or by being prepared to discuss a mutual interest.
7. Be sincere
When doing a virtual interview, you have the exceptional chance to communicate in a comfortable setting while showcasing your qualifications for the position. In order to determine whether you are a good match for the organisation, recruiters will take into account how you portray yourself. Express your confidence and personality as it pertains to the role by using techniques like your body language, facial expressions, and interview preparations.
8. Continue
Plan to send a timely follow-up after your interview. Within 24 hours following an interview, it’s a good idea to send a follow-up email to thank the interviewer for their time and to let them know you’re accessible if they have any further questions. To obtain a list of the email addresses of your interviewees, get in touch with the HR person or recruiting manager you’ve been chatting with.
