Virtual Interview Hints & Tips

So you've been applying for jobs for a number of weeks now and you're finally starting to see the fruits of your labour. You've received one or more interview requests, which is great news. But these are almost certainly virtual interviews and the chances are that you may never have had one before. So here are a few hints and tips to ensure you have the very best chance of securing that role.

Technology

Test your technology well in advance. This may sound obvious but so many people don't do so. You're going to need a computer / laptop with a camera and microphone - if the built in camera and microphone aren't up to the job (a grainy picture or muffled sound are not going to help your chances) then you can buy them online for a reasonable price. I'd be checking this now, even if you don't have an interview lined up just yet, to allow time for delivery.

You'll also need relevant software such as Zoom or Teams. The interviewer may specify which to use, or they may give you the choice. If it's the latter, make sure you choose the software you are most comfortable with using. Ensure you download the software well in advance (at least a day) of your interview if you don't already have it. That way you can install it, register, and familiarise yourself with its functionality.

In the 10 to 15 minutes before your interview, check your internet connection and sign in to the virtual meeting using the details provided. Turn on the sound and video to ensure everything is in working order in time for your interview.

Create a set

Decide where you're going to sit for the interview well in advance. Lighting is critical - you want the interviewer to be able to see you clearly. Sitting near a window works best, as the best way not to appear washed out is to keep the light in front of you. Remember to assess this at the same time of day as your interview will be held.

The colour of your backdrop can also help determine what to wear for a virtual interview. If possible, sit in front of a blank background, so that you remain the focal point. If your house is void of empty walls, set up in your home office or living room—whichever area looks the most businesslike. 

Always make sure the space is clean before embarking on a video call; the messier the background, the harder it is to convince a hiring manager of how detail-oriented and organised you are as an employee.

Wear professional attire

In a virtual interview, you should dress the same as you would in a face-to-face interview. Doing so not only makes you appear professional and excited about the opportunity, but it will also make you feel more prepared and confident. When an interview takes place from a remote location like your home, you should expect it to be just as formal as one that takes place in an office—if you’re unsure, business casual is a good standard to follow.

Take care with your body language

The chances are that you'll be at home for the interview. And you may be sat in a nice, comfortable chair. This is great as far as helping you relax for your interview goes but take care that it doesn't cause your body language to be overly casual. Sit up straight (you can put a cushion behind you if that helps) and make sure that your face is in the centre of the screen. Try not to fidget - this is even more obvious virtually than in person as your head will bob around the screen!

Maintain eye contact as much as you can. It's important to remember that to do this you need to look at the camera - not at the image of your interviewer on the screen! Also try to smile as much as you can. In the absence of a confident handshake, this can help set the tone for your interview and convey that you're a relaxed, but confident individual.

Limit distractions

Virtual interviews come with a slew of distractions you wouldn’t normally have to deal with when you travel into an employer’s office. Be sure to do what you can to eliminate these potential interruptions on your end prior to beginning the video call.

Turn off the TV, mute your mobile phone, and close the window to muffle any honking horns, barking dogs or blaring sirens. Make sure everyone else in the house knows that you've got an interview and they need to be as quiet as possible during that time. Perhaps your partner could use this time to take the children and/or the dogs out for a walk. While you can’t plan for every distraction, particularly if you have children, the more prepared you can be, the better.

Preparation, preparation, preparation

You should prepare as you would for a face-to-face interview. I won't go into this in any more detail here but I will point out that you can use a few aides-memoire that you wouldn't have access to in person.

I'm not suggesting that you have extensive written notes in front of you as it will be obvious to the interviewer when you look at these. But a few well-placed Post-it notes can really help. If these are at eye level (perhaps stuck to the edge of your screen) then they will be easy to read without the need to divert your eyes away from the screen. You could put a reminder for a particularly strong achievement, some useful stats to quantify an example, or a good question you'd like to ask.

The follow up

It's well worth following up your virtual interview with an email thanking the interviewer for their time and letting them know you're available if they have any further questions. If there’s a question you wish you had answered differently or a point you wanted to elaborate on, here’s your chance. Just keep the email concise. I would suggest that you send this email within 24 hours of your interview but not straight away. Give yourself time to reflect on how the interview went.

Hopefully this article will have given you some useful pointers to help you with you get the most out of your virtual interviews. If you'd like any more information or advice, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

About the Author

Mark Wilson is a dedicated Risk & Compliance recruiter in the UK's Financial Services market. He has over 20 years' experience and is the Founder and Owner of Willow Resourcing.