What are the best virtual interview preparation methods?

Here are 7 sure-fire ways to research a company before your interview: 1. Listen to their earnings call (Google "[Company Name] earnings call") 2. Look up their profile on SeekingAlpha and read the news + analysis 3. Look up the company on Google News & Google Finance, read articles from the past month 4. Review the company's social feeds from the past few weeks. 5. Listen to interview with executives (first, search for "[Company] leadership team." For each name, search "[Name] interview / keynote / podcast" on Google and YouTube) 6. Read / watch reviews of the company's products from YouTube, Google, app stores, etc. 7. Comb through the company's website, read every page that's linked in their header and footer!

I like the CRIIS framework for research Company - Leadership, Mission, Values, Product, Services, Competition etc Role - Digest the JD and be able to summarize the role in your own words Interview - Don’t hesitate to ask the recruiter for what the focus of the interview will be. Interviewer - Research the interviewer’s professional lives. Salary - Know your range.

Talk to employees of the company in the area of your interest: past or present. You can get to talk to them if you 1) don't take rejections personally (e.g., they don't accept your connection request); work the numbers and 2) be interested in them and their work rather than trying to be interesting to them.

Best virtual interview preparation methods include familiarizing yourself with the technology and software to be used. Conduct a test run to check your internet connection, audio, and video quality. Create a professional and distraction-free background. Practice your answers to common interview questions, focusing on clear and concise responses. Research the company and the interviewers to tailor your answers effectively. Dress professionally, as if for an in-person interview. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer. Finally, ensure good lighting and camera positioning to maintain eye contact and engage effectively with the interviewer.

Here are 5 simple but savvy winning research tips: 1. SHOW the company you care + are invested in understanding them as they are you. (Companies don't want to hire anyone who wants the job; they want to hire the person who wants [this] job. 2. UNDERSTAND your audience: Research who the company is, their history, customers, products, mission, values, etc. Uncover this via their website. 3. SPEAK their language: Check out the company's news/press releases and google them to see what they're up to and talking about. 4. TALK to company employees via informational interviews/coffee chats. This is highly valuable intell! 5. DEMONSTRATE what you've learned by proactively 'sprinkling' it in throughout the interview. Go Get 'em! :)

Before any virtual interview, like any other interview, you need to be online before the assigned time to test the technology you plan to use to attend the virtual interview. You need to be able to request the link or joining instructions well in advance so that you get a chance to test your electronics and decide on the background. This is the best way to avoid technical issues or if they do happen, you are in a position to try and sort it out before the actual interview starts.

Before a video interview, always test your connections! Don't go in assuming everything is working. Make sure your camera and microphone are working properly; pick a quiet, distraction-free room with soft lighting facing a simple background. Minutes before the meeting, hop on the call link to verify everything looks and sounds good. You don't want to any tech issues to distract you and leave you extra stressed or frazzled right before your interview!

Lighting is key! Make sure you test how you will look on the platform they are using ahead of time and during the same time of day as the interview will be. Natural light on your whole face is helpful, and practice looking at the camera. You can use a free Zoom account to record yourself and check out how it will look and if your eye contact will also be well-received. Better yet, have someone else on the other end of the zoom practice to give you feedback!

STAND UP - Virtual job interviews are common in today's digital age and it's important to remember that first impressions matter. That's why standing up or using a stand-up desk during these meetings can go a long way in making you look better and sound more confident. When you stand, your posture naturally improves, making you appear more poised. Standing up boosts blood circulation, which in turn enhances mental alertness and clarity. By embodying an upright position, you show assertiveness to the interviewer on the other side of the screen. Standing up also allows for greater freedom of movement and natural gestures, enabling you to effectively emphasize your points and engage with the recruiters and hiring managers visually.

No one wants to be caught off-guard before an interview - so double-check that everything is working properly ahead of time. In addition to verifying smooth operation of your microphone, connectivity, camera, and other technical aspects, set up practice interview sessions with a friend or family member to ensure they can hear and see you from their own devices. A neutral background is best for a virtual interview. If you don't have access to a professional environment, you can easily find low-cost, effective backdrops on Amazon (search "interview backdrop" to see a variety of screens and backgrounds that are easy to set up). These "testing sessions" and visual improvements can help boost your confidence considerably.

My biggest hack for practicing behavioral interview questions: 1. Write a Google doc of all the possible common behavioral interview questions and write out answers for them. Have friends review and comment on the Google doc. 2. Record myself during a practice mock interview with a friend, using the list generated in # 1 as an audio file, then listen to myself the night before as a podcast to jog my memory. 3. Stop doing any heavy brain work at 7 pm the night before an interview. Instead, listen to founders on YouTube/podcasts talk about their company’s core values while working out/doing chores. Behavioral interviews should be mostly a solved problem- no excuse not to be 100% prepared with a few days of preparation

Smile! Sound confident in yourself, especially when answering your salary expectations question. Practice, record yourself and play it back. It will pay off in huge $$$

It's amazing what you'll learn by watching yourself in interview mode - and it's often more positive than you think. You might find that your smile, gestures, and posture convey more enthusiasm than you might realize. When I hired, I looked for signs that the candidate was interested and engaged. Consider leaning a bit forward to help make a connection; by recording yourself, you can see how this strategy comes across in your interviews. Rehearsing answers is also one of the strongest strategies for any interview, virtual or not. There's something magic about hearing yourself respond to challenging questions out loud! No matter how you practice for interviews, repetition will allow you to hone your material and project confidence.

Practicing answers is a good thing, but be careful that you don't practice too much. Don't memorize answers. Answers need to sound conversational, they need to respond to the actual questions asked, and be relevant to the new job. Memorized answers sound memorized, and most interviewers can hear that in your voice. Remember that you are telling stories, and story telling is conversational. You want your voice, your mannerisms, your energy to contribute to that story - they can help or hurt you, and if your answer sounds canned, that will hurt you.

Follow The 7 38 55 Rule – This rule states that only 7% of communication is based on words, while 38% comes from tone of voice and a whopping 55% is conveyed through nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language. Imagine walking into an interview with all your answers perfectly scripted but neglecting these key factors. It's no wonder your chances of leaving a lasting positive impression plummet! The rule highlights the importance of not just what we say but also how we say it and how we present ourselves physically. So, pay attention to your tone, maintain eye contact, sit up straight, and use appropriate gestures – these small details can greatly influence an interviewer's perception of you.

Research about the Organization Its Products and Solutions Logo The Colours used in Logo and their brand When attending the Interview try to have the most vibrant colour as part of your dress Mention the same during your Interview to let them know that you have researched well. During Interview speak the language of the Leaders. Visit their Web site or Videos of the Leaders. What they emphasize - Net Zero -Inclusion -Diversity -Sustainability -Zero Carbon -8G -Aditya Mission -Gaganyaan Incorporate the above language in your "STAR" response. Your vibe will attract them to become part of their tribe. Cheers

If you're wondering about the dress code at a company before heading there for a job interview, there are a few effective ways to find out without having to ask directly. 1. Check the company's social media profiles for photographs of employees. 2. Explore professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn to view employee profiles and get an idea of their attire in work-related photos. 3. Reach out to current or former employees for information. Contacting someone you know who works or has worked at the company can give you an insider perspective on their dress code norms.

In addition to your style of dress, make sure you have an uncluttered space around you in the visible camera area. Clear your desk or table if that’s visible. If you can’t use a virtual background (have had that happen once or twice based on the app or device), make sure the space behind you is clean and uncluttered. If you can use a virtual background, use plain, simple backgrounds instead of flashy or “message” ones. You don’t want the background to distract or detract from you the candidate. The phrase “presentation is everything” really applies.

The top 5 questions to ask are: 1. What are some of the biggest challenges involved in this role/team/project/product/etc.? 2. What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 30 to 90 days of joining your team? 3. What will a successful first year in this job look like? 4. What does success look like in this role in the next 3 to 5 years? 5. Based on what we’ve talked about today, can you see me being successful in this role?

Make sure your resume and ALL items you plan to share hard copy and/or soft copy are UP TO DATE! No one wants to read outdated information and it will shorten the time you have to sell yourself in the interview! Know your resume very well. Don't just share what is on the resume though. Your interview is a chance to make it all "come to life", in your words, the way you would normally speak. While your answers should be brief and concise, you are not limited to the "space" available like you are on a resume.

I will always recommend a candidate take pre-prepared notes into an interview. It stops brain fog and offers a great way to get your questions and messages across. You'll be amazed at just how few interviewers prepare this way!

1. Ask them if they have any concerns with moving you to the next steps because if they do you would like an opportunity to address them now. -This gives you immediate feedback and allows you an opportunity to address those concerns right then and there. This shows you are open to constructive criticism and allows you to differentiate yourself. 2. Ask them knowing what they know now what would they do if they were starting in your role with the company to be successful. -This does a couple things. It allows them to talk about themselves a bit and gives you a roadmap on what you can do to be successful. It can also lead to some great dialogue and an opportunity for you to learn from someone that has already been successful there.

One of the real benefits of a virtual interview is that you can spread out your notes, prompts, and backup documents so everything is nearby and ready at your fingertips, whether hard copy or electronic. Take a few minutes to practice finding them and adjust as needed. Similar to an in-person discussion, be sure to keep good eye contact throughout.

One note about panel interviews. When you meet with a panel or group in person it's easy to turn and face each member of the panel when asking or answering a question. It's harder to do that when facing one camera. To ensure group members know you are addressing them you'll need to increase the frequency of name usage beyond what you might when meeting in person.

Mock interviews are invaluable and whether you are working with a coach, or relying on trusted friends and/or mentors, make them part of your job-searching process long before you even land the interview! Treat it like the real deal - same video setup, attire, research done. Let them ask common questions so you can refine your delivery and body language in a low-pressure situation. They can provide feedback so you feel sharp and ready for the high-stakes interview. With new virtual norms, getting used to selling yourself via video is a skill in itself!

Don't be afraid to show your personality. It's okay to smile and have a sense of humor. Avoid jokes and unrelated stories though. They are too risky!!

One of my top suggestions that have worked for a lot of job seekers is to look at the job posting before the interview and create stories according to what they're asking for. That way you're speaking to things you know they are looking for.

Understanding the specific opportunity is step 1. Understanding the company is step 2. That’s all just basic. And minimally expected. Understanding yourself, within this context, is how you become the person they can’t let get away.