Virtual interviews are standard nowadays and require much of the same prep work as an in-person interview. Some elements are wholly unique to virtual interviews, and getting these right is just as essential. Getting everything set up for a virtual interview can often feel daunting, as it is vital for the tech to be working properly and everything set up correctly.
It may help to do a practice interview with a trusted loved one before the big interview so that you can identify any issues with your equipment or internet speed. This can also be a great chance to see how the lighting is in your chosen interview room and whether you need to adjust the background or use a filter.
Login Promptly
You should always join a remote interview promptly, ideally two to five minutes before it starts. Logging in as early as 15 minutes before should not be necessary, but you should read through the instructions provided thoroughly to ensure you know exactly when to arrive.
Dress The Part
While it may be tempting to leave your pyjama bottoms or sweatpants on and keep the top half professional, this can be risky. You may need to stand at some point during the interview, revealing your casual clothes to the interviewer, who may not be overly impressed. Dressing fully in professional clothes can also put you in the right mindset to sell yourself and your skills to your interviewer.
Keep Your Background Professional
The best background option is neutral. This could be an empty wall or one with some non-offensive artwork adorning it. Finding the fitting backdrop for your interview can often be tricky so that you might need a filter. Most video conferencing platforms offer a range of filter backgrounds that help blur out anything in the background you wouldnât want the interviewer to catch sight of. A neutral filter, such as a simple fade-out or blur, is best.
Check The Lighting Beforehand
Lighting can greatly impact how you come across in your interview and cause significant glare that could impede you or your interviewer. It is best to test out the lighting youâll use well in advance and consider keeping any blinds or curtains in the interview room closed or partially shut to prevent the weather from having an impact.
Brush Up On Your Virtual Meeting Etiquette
If youâre not overly experienced in virtual meeting etiquette, reviewing the basics is a good idea to ensure you donât make any accidental faux pas. At this point, most people are pretty well versed in the usual virtual meeting etiquette, but it doesnât hurt to be extra prepared. Anchor AI is an expert in virtual meetings, making them ideal guides to help you understand your meeting etiquette.
Keep A Notebook Handy
Having something to note down important information can be invaluable. It is also best to let your interviewer know if youâre writing something down, as it may not always be apparent from the video. This will help account for any pauses that may occur as a result. You could also include some critical skills and talking points in your notebook, but you should avoid relying too heavily, as it may sound stilted or scripted.
Test Your Technology And Internet Speed
Making sure all your equipment works is crucialâthe last thing you want during your interview is for the internet to go down or your equipment to malfunction. Test the conferencing platform, your webcam, and your microphone thoroughly before the interview. Also, do an upload speed test of your internet to ensure it can handle the video call.
Of course, sometimes things might still go wrong despite our best efforts. If this happens to you, it is vital to remain calm. Speak professionally to the camera until you can ascertain whether the issue is on your end or theirs, and send a quick email explaining the problem. You could also sign off from the interview and attempt to reconnect.
Make Eye Contact Through The Camera
One critical mistake many virtual interviewees make is looking directly at the video rather than the camera. Looking at your camera can give the appearance of making direct eye contact, which is critical for any job interview. You may need to practice getting into the habit, or you could put a post-it note on your webcam to remind you to keep your eyes in the right place.
Ask Questions
It is crucial to ask questions in any interview, and virtual interviews are no different. It is a good idea to make a few notes for questions throughout the interview and come up with some before the interview. Ask questions that show that youâve engaged with the business and understand its values, practices, and goals.
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As an experienced business and finance writer I understand the corporate landscape and the driving forces behind it. Over the years Iâve shared my insight and knowledge with key industry publications and dedicated my time to showing how business leaders can make their organisations more effective.