Tips for a successful virtual job interview

Both candidates and employers need to prepare for remote video job interviews as the "new normal" for the foreseeable future. Here are a few tips for conducting successful virtual 1.1 or even panel interviews from home, whether you're a hiring manager or a job seeker.  

Test out your Wi-Fi connectivity

Be sure your home Wi-Fi connection is stable and test the connectivity strength in advance.

Get familiar with your video conferencing tools

Become familiar with the video conferencing tools and practice using them prior to the interview to avoid technical issues. 24 hours prior to your interview, download the software to your laptop or desktop computer and do a test run as a practice session with a friend or family member. Make sure to test your audio and video, then save those settings and test them again one hour before the interview in order to make any last-minute adjustments. The ideal distance from the camera is usually 2.5 feet."

Set the Scene and Minimize Distractions

Take some time to scout out the perfect location in your home to conduct a video call. "Pick a place where you are on a single-color background, or at least one that is not too busy, "Your room should be well-lit and without direct sunlight and background noise.

Be Prepared before the interview begins

Stay focused and ready to answer any questions without the help of the internet. Research the company ahead of time and jot down notes for easy reference. Also have a copy of your resume in front of you, so that you don’t forget key talking points. 

Elevator Pitches for personal and professional brands

Your elevator pitch needs to create curiosity in the person who’s listening and make them want to know more about you, your company and/or the opportunity. It needs to be short, clear, on point and have a compelling value proposition.

Interview Questions

Candidates - be prepared with answers to common interview questions. Here are a few examples...

• Why are you interested in this role?  What do you know about our company?
• How would your current leader describe your work performance? Strengths and opportunities.
• What do you consider to be your greatest professional achievement?
• Tell me about a challenge at work and how you dealt with it.
• What are you looking for in a new position?
• Why are you leaving your current role?

Avoid memorizing each response, so you don’t sound overly rehearsed. Instead, write some high-level thoughts down on Post-it Notes that you can stick to your computer.

Professional Image

It's tempting to work in casual attire when you're working from home,  but interviewers and candidates should make the effort to look professional on camera. Be well-groomed and dress for success. 

Your Body Language

You can’t firmly shake a hand or as easily exude enthusiasm via video. But what you can do is monitor your body language. The main way to communicate confidence is to sit up straight, smile, and keep the camera at eye level. Research shows that employers are more likely to remember what you said if you maintain eye contact, so keep your focus on the camera when talking, not on the image of the interviewer/s.

Leave A Positive Impression

It is not easy making a connection virtually, but it is important to leave a lasting positive impression. Be remembered by showing your authentic self.  Ask questions to make sure you have enough information to stay interested.  Here are some suggestions…

• What does a typical day in the life of this role look like? 
• What are the company’s goals this year?
• How would you describe the culture in your company?
• How would you describe the ideal candidate for this position? 
• How would you rate my candidacy now that you had a chance to get to know me better?
• Can you walk me through the next steps of the hiring process?

Follow-Up After the Interview

Within 24 hours of the interview, send an individual thank you email to the person/s you interviewed with. This will provide you another opportunity to resell yourself, express your unique attributes and add any points that you may have forgotten to express during the interview. Refresh the interviewer on areas of discussion during the interview whether it was something you both had in common, or a business challenge discussed. Offer your thoughts. Again, be concise and leave a great lasting impression.

“The voyage of discovery is not in looking for new landscapes, but in looking with new eyes.” —Anonymous