Job interviews are stressful enough. However, when the interview is virtual, there’s another layer of anxiety. How do you ensure you look and sound your best? What if a technical glitch happens during the interview? How can you feel confident when you’ve never done an online interview before? Here’s everything you need to know to best prepare and land the job.
Create a Quiet Space.
Don’t plan to do your interview at the kitchen table with clutter in the background and the possibility of outside noise creeping in. Instead, find the quietest room in your home and create your virtual setup there.
You don’t need to rearrange an entire room. You just want a comfortable space to sit with a clean, clear background. You can even blur your background or choose a virtual background of an office setting if you’re concerned about appearances. This way, your space won’t be a distraction, so the hiring manager can focus on you.
Another key tip? Make sure your lighting is in front of you, not behind you. Otherwise, you’ll create a difficult-to-see silhouette that can also be a distraction to the hiring manager.
Check Your Connection.
Don’t let slow Internet speed impact whether you get the job. Do a speed check before your interview, so you can make sure it’s working optimally. If you don’t trust your WiFi, plug into your local area’s LAN cable. Whatever you choose, doing a speed check is a vital since a lag can seriously detract from your interview performance.
Prepare for Anything.
Virtual interviews can lead to some unexpected issues. While you can’t control everything, there are a few aspects of it that are in your hands. These include:
Testing the Platform
Make sure you download and test out the video platform the company is using before your interview. Make sure both the video and audio are working. You can even ask a family member or friend to conduct a mock interview with you to check and be certain.
Having Notes to Reference
One big advantage of a virtual interview is that the interviewer can’t see documents, like your resume or notes about key accomplishments. When you have some information to reference, you don’t have to stress about forgetting to mention an important area about your background.
Keeping It Simple
That said, keep your notes simple. Have your resume on one side of your keyboard in case the hiring manager references it and notes about your background and accomplishments on the other side. Don’t have pages of documents you need to flip through to find what you need.
Stay Calm and Speak Into the Webcam.
Any job interview is stressful, but virtual ones can be even more daunting. Keep these tips in mind to help you nail it:
- Do your homework about the company ahead of time so you’re ready to offer insightful answers.
- Practice responses to common questions ahead of time with a family member or friend so you feel more confident during the actual interview.
- Take a few deep breaths before the interview, and try to remain calm.
- Keep your pace in mind by not speaking too quickly or too slowly. If you’re nervous, it can cause you to speak too quickly, so work to avoid this.
- Also, be mindful of body language. A few hand gestures are fine, especially when you’re discussing a passionate point, but don’t twirl your hair or cross your arms.
- Look into the webcam during the interview, not your reflection.
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