How to ace an online interview...

Being interviewed over Zoom or Google Meet is convenient, cost-effective, and inclusive. But trying to build a rapport and genuinely connect with your potential employees using tech can come with a whole host of problems.

Whether it’s the first or fourth round, chances are at least one interview will take place online.

This article will help you overcome the unique set of challenges and get you closer to your dream role.

Test your tech

Start preparing for the interview at least 20 minutes ahead of schedule. Test your lighting, internet connection, your mic and give your camera a clean. Spend a few minutes checking how you look on screen too.

Don’t be scared to curate your frame.

Green screens aren’t necessarily bad, but it’s nice to give your interviewers an insight into your world by showing them your natural habitat. Choose a quiet, well-lit area and set up in front of the least distracting background you can find. It doesn’t have to be Instagram-level perfect.

If you plan to show your CV or portfolio, or to share your screen, make sure the files you need are open in the background, and there aren’t any awkward tabs still open.

Your goal here is to build a genuine connection so make sure there are no issues with yours. Download all relevant apps way in advance and consider having the meeting loaded on your phone, just in case your computer fails or decides to helpfully update right before show time.

You don’t want to leave anything to chance.

Gabriele also recommends putting everything you need within arm’s length?before?the meeting begins – that includes laptop chargers. It’s a common mistake, but nothing screams “I’m not ready” more than having to run for your charger right before you lose power.

Treat it like a conversation

There is oodles of time for small talk during an in-person interview. You can woo your interviewers on arrival, as you wait to be seen, or during the walk to the meeting room. But online, chit-chat is kept to a minimum. At most, there will be a brief intro before moving on to the formal questions.?This makes it extra important that you build rapport by sprinkling your personality over the entire process.

Ask as many questions as you answer and really try to connect with the interviewers.

Be personable, interested and energetic. Speak clearly and at a natural pace making room for others to interject without the dreaded online overlap.

You want your interviewer to see you as someone they could talk to every day.

Be aware of body language

Since there are fewer ways to pick up on non-verbal cues during online interviews, it’s important to make good use of what you do have.

Short vocalizations of agreement don’t really work, they tend to slow the conversation down by accidentally interrupting the speaker. So instead, lean into using your facial expressions to show that you’re listening. Nod and smile when you’d usually speak and avoid remaining static for too long. The interview will start to question if you’ve frozen.

A good rule of thumb is to leave 10-20% of the screen empty above your head. This way the interviewers can see when you’re gesticulating, and you won’t cut yourself off accidentally if you lean forward.

Make virtual eye contact by looking into the webcam, not at your screen.

Ideally, you should be looking directly into your webcam to mimic natural eye contact. However, focusing on the screen at the person you’re speaking to is still better than staring at yourself throughout the conversation. It’s fine (and totally normal) to check how you’re coming across but if you tend to get distracted or anxious, use the ‘Hide Self View” option.

Be well presented

On the day, wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident – like the best version of yourself. You want to dress just as smartly as you would for an in-person interview at the same company (that means wearing trousers) and it's best to avoid jewellery that makes a lot of noise or is visually distracting.

Whatever it is that you wear, make sure it highlights your professionalism and how well suited you are for the company.

Come prepared

Nothing should change in the way you should prepare for the interview. Just because it’s happening online, doesn’t make it any less formal. You should still research the company and prepare to answer commonly asked questions.

Read Commonly asked interview questions in design (and how to answer them…

One great perk of online interviews is the number of prompts you can leave nearby to help you remember any key points you’d like to get across. Stick Post-it notes, behind your laptop screen – but in your eye line – to avoid you looking down at any notes.

Write out as many notes as you need but refer to them as few as possible.

Lastly, relax and enjoy it, even if you don’t end up in the position, it’s still a brilliant experience to learn from.

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