Tips for a Successful Online Job Interview

Lights. Camera. Action! From equipment and location to script and talent, an online job interview is like a one-man show – yours. Give it your best shot with these tips.

Prepare for your online job interview in the usual manner: study the job opening carefully, get ready for tough interview questions, and know your resume like the back of your hand. The video component of your job interview means another thing to prepare for: putting your best face forward. Here’s what you should know about your gear, your outfit, and your body language.

The Setup

Camera and Positioning

If you have one, use an external webcam: you’ll have higher image quality and it’s easier to position. If you don’t have one, make do with your built-in webcam. Using the camera on your tablet or phone might not be a good idea, because there’s a bigger risk of losing the WiFi connection during the interview and they’re not the most flattering of cameras.

Whether you use an external or built-in webcam, position it above your eye-line and angled slightly downward for the most flattering angle.

?Lighting

We’re not all social media influencers with professional lighting equipment hanging around the house to make us camera-ready, but there is something you can do in a pinch: put two lamps, one on either side of your desk, at the same height of the webcam or a little bit higher.

Sound

Your webcam may have a built-in microphone, but you won’t be able to control the background noise, and your voice won’t sound as full or clear. Use a headset if you can: you want to make sure your interviewers can clearly hear and focus on what you have to say.

?Location

For your background, you can choose a plain wall or a bookshelf (just make sure there aren’t any questionable items on it). If possible, have at least two feet of distance between you and the background so you’ll have fewer shadows and a more blurred background.

Make sure that your location is clean, well lit, and that the camera doesn’t pick up any clutter or distracting movements.

?The Main Talent

Be aware of your posture. Choose a comfortable chair that will only show the top half of your body and allow you to sit up straight and keep both feet on the ground.

Maintain good eye contact. Eye contact is important during an interview, but it’s a lot harder to maintain on video. Resist focusing on the face of your interviewer on your screen and keep your gaze on the webcam instead.

Tone down the tics. Be aware that some gestures don’t translate well on-cam. Consider recording yourself and adjust accordingly. Are you waving your hands around too much? Touching your face too often?

Choose your wardrobe carefully. Avoid wearing white, black, as well as very bright colors like bright reds, yellows, or pinks - all these will affect exposure. Softer, solid colors like a dark blue top would work better. You should also avoid busy patterns such as pinstripes, polka dots, or paisley. Women should wear some light makeup, and both men and women should put some pressed powder (especially on the nose and forehead) so your face doesn’t appear oily or shiny on camera.

?Before the interview

Make sure there are no distractions. Tell your family or roommates to stay away from the interview area. Leave a note on the front door telling people not to ring the doorbell. If you’re doing your interview in a room, lock the door and put a note there as well.

Do a tech rehearsal a few days before the interview, and at the exact time you’re scheduled to have it. If you can call a friend in the same country as your interviewer, that would be great. You can check your Internet connection, and get some feedback on how you look on-cam.

Check and charge all your equipment. The last thing you want is a low-battery situation. Have backup equipment ready just in case.

Be early. Log in ten minutes early so you can be calm and centered before the interview begins. Have a printout of your resume and the job description beside you, as well as a notepad and pen.

At the end of your interview, thank them for the opportunity to be a part of the company. You can also send a thank-you note the next day. Briefly reiterate why you’d be a great new addition to their team. For a personal touch, you might want to touch on a topic that came up during the interview.

Source: 

https://www.jobstreet.com.ph/career-resources/job-hunting/tips-for-a-successful-online-job-interview/