Preparing for Online Interviews

It’s Friday again, and we’re staying with the topic of interviews. Hardsuit Labs are hiring many new people right now, so it’s been on the top of our minds. In the last two years, the world has changed to be much less in-person, and this also holds true for interviews. We’re exclusively conducting online interviews, even with local Seattle folks, and many other companies have followed suit. This is an all-new experience for some candidates, so we're looking at how online interviews differ from traditional in-person ones.

In the general sense, interviews have remained the same. Companies and candidates use interviews to find out if their interests align, the candidate's qualifications might be tested, and the cultural fit on both sides. However, some sizeable differences persist between online and in-person interviews.

Firstly, consider if the interview will be via phone or webcam.

For phone interviews, not much has changed over the last twenty years. It’s been common to have screening interviews in the form of a phone call for a long time now. Preparing for such calls is easy enough. Keep in mind to be somewhere your voice can carry without echoing, that you have good reception if you use a mobile phone, and to speak clearly without distractions or possible interruptions. Speaking enunciated and slowly when excited can be a challenge, so make sure you avoid stimulants like tea or coffee before such calls!

When it comes to video interviews, you may need to consider some new things. You need to consider how to connect to the call, if you use a phone, laptop, or PC, what your setup and internet connection can handle, amongst other things.

If you have a corner of your home set up as an office, you might also already have invested in a good webcam. Make sure you consider the quality of your camera, how much light it needs or if you need to keep your light a bit lower to avoid appearing with an astral sheen. Test the room, lighting, and camera settings beforehand in video calls with friends. Try out different video software as well – Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Discord are most used these days. Set up meetings with friends via these programs and check if your video looks good, if your microphone echoes, or if there are feedback issues with your speakers. Being familiar with the software and the options such as muting, unmuting, and turning your camera on and off will save your embarrassment should something happen during your interview.

While testing your setup, pay attention to the details on your computer and related technology. Can your internet handle the needed bandwidth should you need to visit online websites while holding the call? Can you open software that might stress your system and raise the demands on CPU and memory? If you’re taking the call on a phone, can your set your cellphone up stable and with good reception?

Also, have a look around the area you will be sitting in. Do you have space in front of you for pen and paper notes? What does your background look like? Are there things on shelves you’d rather not have your future employer see? If so, check if you want to re-arrange items behind you or use a blur filter. Maybe shift things around, so you have a plain, blank wall. Keep in mind that your background could highlight a hobby or general interest that could be an icebreaker depending on your industry. For example, if you interview with us, having your gaming collection is a bonus!

Some of our team members have picked up the habit of having a figurine or photo behind their camera to draw the eyes. It also helps as a reminder that you’re on the air and everything you do is being watched. Adjusting your clothing, restyling your hair, shifting in your seat – everything is live!

It will also help you to know what’s coming. Get in touch with the hiring manager or recruiter and ask some basic questions about the interview format. Will you be asked to have your camera turned on? Is there a dress code the team might expect? Will you be speaking with another person or a group of people, or is the interview pre-recorded?

While Hardsuit Labs does not use them, some companies have automated recording systems that may need to be considered. If the video call is done via a recording format, is it possible to do re-tries for the recording? What should I do if I experience technical difficulties?

Make sure you reduce distractions as much as possible. Close windows, walk your dog before the meeting time so it is calm, and talk to roommates and family members about needing quiet for a set amount of time. Make sure your space is as calm and distraction-free as possible. You want to hear and be heard, but also make sure you’re not needed to split your attention.

On the day of your interview, prepare as you would for an in-person interview. Shower, have breakfast, dress up smart – or smart enough for the dress code given. For example, at Hardsuit Labs, we are happily conducting interviews in a t-shirt and hoodie during our video calls – but a law firm might see this differently. Have some water at hand, as you will be talking a lot and might want to take a sip now and again to ensure you can keep speaking without coughing fits. Depending on the season, it may also be wise to have some tissues at hand should you need to cover a sneeze or find yourself needing to blow your nose. Make sure to turn off your camera if that happens!

As with in-person interviews, plan to arrive early. Get comfortable at your setup, make sure you have what you need, check your electronics, and log in to the call a few minutes before the appointed time.

Keep in mind that it’s all too easy to speak over others as you’re online. Delays can happen, and bad connections can happen. If you expect them, you can react in a coolheaded fashion and offer solutions like a re-connect. Remember to slow down a bit if you find yourself speaking over someone else. Your interview partners will have planned plenty of time and you don’t need to rush.

While online interviews are slightly different from in-person ones, you can still use your regular interview habits once everything is started and the first five minutes have passed. Smile, sit with good posture, be genuine, and remember general politeness. While it can take some getting used to speaking toward cameras instead of another person’s face, you will find yourself delivering excellent online interviews in no time!

And, should you interview with us, we will hope to speak to you soon! Preparing for Online Interviews