5 Tips For Virtual Interviews

The days of putting on a suit, driving to an office, receiving a visitor's badge and shaking hands for an interview have disappeared. Ushered in by means of the coronavirus are a new age of preparation for an interview. While preliminary interviews are typically conducted by phone, you'll go live on camera as you migrate your way through the interview steps of landing a job in the current market.

It doesn't matter whether you are the interviewer or the interviewee. There is a need to impress no matter which side of the camera you will be sitting on. And as the interview progresses to Zoom, Webex, Skype or even a FaceTime call, you need to be prepared.

In an employer's job market, the spotlight is always on. But particularly when you conduct these interviews via video call. I've itemized five tips for you to be prepared for your virtual interview in 2020 and beyond.

1. Dress to impress. You may not be physically going into an office, but you have a very important meeting. The easiest way to show your excitement for the opportunity is by dressing professional for the call. While you may have been given indicators the call will be casual dress, don't let yourself miss this opportunity to demonstrate your desire for the position. Rock a suit to show your respect for the interviewer and your dedication to gaining the position.
2. Choose your background carefully. Whatever you show on your screen is part of your interview. So, if you are showing a messy background, this is part of how you will be assessed. Your best background will portray yourself in a professional office setting. This demonstrates you have a proper set-up to be hired for a work from home position. So, be proud of the bookcase, clock and motivational sign in your office. It is helping sell you and your situation for the job. I would also avoid the green screen options as it hides the setting you have chosen for the call. If you are missing an office background, utilize a window or blank wall to demonstrate your ownership of a professional work environment for this call and future meetings.
3. Privacy please. Just because you are interviewing from home does not mean your home life should be part of the interview. Whether it be a significant other walking through the background or a child yelling mom or dad on your call, you need to choose a location of privacy respected by your household. If you aren't able to give your undivided attention during the interview, it is hard to believe you will be able to put in a full day in your home environment.
4. Do not rely on notes. While it may seem like you can comfortably look at your prepared answers to the interview questions, you shouldn't. On a video call, you are virtually staring at each others face as the questions go back and forth. While you are attempting to casually look off screen, the person on the other end is noticing your distracted glances. How you respond is just as important as what you say. Your confidence and excitement are often more critical comparatively to a perfect answer.
5. Practice! It doesn't matter what question is being asked. A well prepared interviewee is ready to respond and has thought of relevant stories from their work history to provide a detailed answer. Practice writing out your answers prior to the call. If you can't think of common interview questions, ask a friend named Google. A best practice for your response is the STAR method. This type of response provides a Situation, Task, Action and Result to formulate a well thought out answer to each interview question. If you can provide this response every time through relevant work history, you will be well on your way to your next position!

Regardless of the new world of virtual interviews, the opportunity is real! Put your best foot forward with these five tips to be on top of your game. Even if you don't land the position, you'll walk away knowing you did your best. And your best is what it will take to succeed in this new age of virtual interviewing.

If you need help fine tuning your sales or leadership skills prior to an interview, please click on the picture above to purchase a copy in my series. My business books are written through my own adventure and travel to provide analogies that help you remember the business concepts. I hope you'll join me on my travels to grow your own greenest grass on the block!