VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS
Jodie Robieson
I connect high calibre, qualified finance professionals with PE-backed businesses across industry
Top tips based on my own personal experience
Having only recently moved back home to the UK from New Zealand, my own personal virtual interview experience is still fresh in my mind.
I interviewed while still living abroad and the entire process was conducted via video call. The first time I met my team in real life was the week before I started!
Now that virtual interviews are quickly becoming the norm, I thought it would be useful to share some helpful tips from my own experience.
Some of these may feel obvious but when the interview nerves take over it is very easy to forget these simple things!
1. Test the audio and camera prior to the call.
2. Consider your surroundings – is there anything in the background that may need moving out of sight?
3. Dress professionally (yes that includes your bottom half!).
4. Check the lighting; make sure your face is easily visible and well lit!
5. Elevate your laptop so that the camera is at face level.
6. If you are using your phone, the same applies.
7. Do not hold your device, you do not know how long the call will last and you don’t want a droopy arm towards the end!
N.B. if you have access to a laptop, prioritise this over your phone, the last thing you want are notifications coming through to distract you! If this is unavoidable, my advice would be to temporarily change the settings of your phone’s apps to block notifications.
8. Irrespective of which device you are using for the interview, silence your phone and disable vibration.
9. Have a notepad and pen next to you and take notes of anything you feel to be valuable.
10. Have a glass of water next to you.
11. Make sure the space you are in is private and void of any distractions - you do not want children/pets/housemates interrupting the interview! I think we all remember this...
And finally…
12. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Treat this as you would any other interview; just because it is virtual does not make it any less of an interview.
If you could benefit from any further advice around the virtual interview process please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]
Interim Marketing Director
4 年Fantastic tips for virtual meetings as well as interviews!
Director - People & Talent Executive Search Head of Financial & Professional Services
4 年Great tips Jodie Wolrich. Having personally been a victim of the cat-jumping-onto-the-laptop-mid-Skype-call scenario, I'd say that creating a closed off, quiet space wherever that may be, is key to helping you focus and perform!
Founder & Group CEO at Oakleaf Group / Co-Chair of TRS Executive Search / Veteran & Military Charity Trustee
4 年Well there you have it - a little bit of prep goes a long way and Jodie Wolrich is a FAB hire!!!
Founder @ Content Cohort
4 年Great tips Jodie, they will be a massive help for so many people
Practice Lead, Executive Search People and Talent
4 年Very useful advice Jodie Wolrich. My other tip would be to be careful around facial expressions and hand gestures. They seem to be more noticeable over a video call.