How to Prepare for a Virtual or Video Interview

As we are quickly becoming thrust into the age of “virtual” meetings and video interviews, job seekers and industry professionals need to be completely prepared to master this new paradigm of interpersonal communication.

Here are some important tips for acing your next video interview:

1.      Do your homework- As with any and all interviews, be prepared and do your research well ahead of time. Make sure you research the company and be prepared to discuss. It is very likely you will be asked, “What do you know about the company?” or “Why do you want to work here?” Start by visiting the company website for a good overview of the organization. Additionally, do your homework on who you are interviewing with by visiting your interviewer’s LinkedIn profile and researching their background. 

 2.      Take a Test Run- Before you go LIVE in a real interview situation, test out the technology to make sure your video and audio are working properly. You may need a separate microphone (which you can purchase on Amazon or pick up at Best Buy), but you will not want to find that out on the day of the interview. Practice some interview questions and get comfortable in front of the camera so that you are 100% ready when to go live.

 3.      Staging- Position your laptop or camera so that it is at the proper level and you are not staring down or looking way up. Make sure you are not too close (all face and head) or too far away. Your background should be plain and professional, not busy or distracting. Lighting is also very important, so you may need to add a lamp or open your shades, but be mindful of unwanted shadows on your face that can be distracting to the interviewer.

 4.      Dress for a REAL Interview- While it can jokingly be said that “pants are optional” for virtual interviews, be sure to dress professionally from head to toe – just like a live interview. This will ensure you are fully in interview mode (both mentally and physically). So even if you shift in your seat, you will not need to worry about your shorts or pajama pants showing.

 5.      Eliminate Potential Distractions- Close out Outlook or any other applications on your computer that may have notifications. Turn your cell phone off or silence the ringer and vibration. Have the kids and dogs far away (but cared for), so that there is no chance of an unexpected interruption.

 6.      Tools for Success… Pen, Pad, Water, Resume- Have your note pad and pen ready, since you may want to take notes. It is still an interview, and although you are not in the same room, the same rules still apply. You can have questions written down and you can certainly take notes. Have some water available too, just in case you get nervous and your mouth gets dry. Lastly, have a copy of your resume handy in case your interviewer refers to it and has a specific question. You may need to peek at it, so it is always a good idea to have it handy.

 7.      Maintain Eye Contact…With the Camera- As challenging as it is, avoid looking at yourself or the interviewer on the screen and be sure to look at the camera. Eye contact is as important virtually as it is in person. It can be helpful to put a sticky note right under the camera with a prompt or reminder of where to keep your eyes focused.

8.      Express Interest and Enthusiasm-Since this is ALWAYS a critical part of any interview, it is even more important virtually, since you do not want your genuine interest to get lost in cyberspace. Demonstrate your interest in the job and the company. Excitement and genuine interest is the ultimate impression you want to make on your interviewer. This impression is lasting and will separate you from other candidates.

9.      Follow up- As with any and all interviews, send a thank you email after the meeting. Since it is virtual and you will be sitting in front of your computer, send the thank you out as soon as possible, perhaps within an hour or two, but definitely within the same day.

While I do not expect the virtual interview format to completely replace the live interview, I do think video meetings, interviews and conferences will become more and more prevalent in our technology-focused society. I think it is a great idea to embrace the medium and invest in the proper technology to allow for a comfort level in your future participation.

About the Author:

Tom Caravela has 27 years of pharmaceutical industry experience and is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Carolan Group, LLC, based in Northern New Jersey. Founded in 2002, The Carolan Group is a leading pharmaceutical and biotech search firm specializing in Medical Affairs and Medical Science Liaison recruitment. Tom is responsible for leading a team of expert recruiters and account managers in client expansions for various levels of field-based and in house Medical Affairs professionals including Medical Science Liaisons, MSL Leaders, Managed Care/HEOR Liaisons, Medical Directors as well as various other medical and clinical affairs roles. With almost 3 decades of pharmaceutical industry experience, Tom is a frequent speaker and Medical Affairs Consultant for clients, advisory boards and industry meetings. His strategic interests focus on hiring, retention and career development for the field based MSL role.