Virtual Job Interview Do's and Don'ts

You are excited when you receive the wonderful news from the recruiter that you are scheduled for a virtual interview with the hiring manager, but the thought of conducting the meeting virtually makes you anxious as you are not comfortable being in front of the camera. Or maybe you have done it in the past and were not able to leave a good impression virtually.?

Well, we are here to help, and we have listed some practical tips that you can use to leave a good impression virtually and to turn your next virtual interview into a job offer!

DO #1: Set up your space?

You will have ample time to prepare for your interview so find a spot in your home that is free of distractions and background noises. Turn off all any nearby sounds (television, speaker, opened windows) and make sure that your phone is in silent mode. You can also utilise the “mute” button when you are not speaking to prevent any ambient noises. BUT don’t forget to turn it back on before you start speaking!?

Set up a clean, uncluttered background. If you do not have time to fix your cluttered background, then add a simple office-like virtual background. There are a lot of templates that you can find in google, just make sure that the background is not too overpowering that will distract the hiring manager during the interview. ?

Also, avoid attending the interview in your car or inside a coffee shop. If for some reason you need to, advise the recruiter or hiring manager beforehand so that they are aware.?

Remember, the goal is to make sure that you and the interviewer are not distracted and that rapport is built freely and easily.?

DO #2: Be on time and be familiar with the meeting / interview platform?

Once you have received the interview invitation, check the virtual platform that will be used and download the programs (if there are any) beforehand. Test your audio and microphone settings, ensure that your camera is working properly and most importantly, make sure that you have a stable internet connection. Join the meeting 10-15 minutes before your interview to do a last test run with your equipment to ensure that you are all good for the interview.??

DO #3: Dress appropriately?

Even if it is not a face-to-face meeting, you still need to wear the proper attire from the waist up. While it is easy to get comfortable, always remember that this is still a professional interview. You should still dress the part—like you would if you were interviewing in person.?

DO #4: Do your homework?

Google is your best friend so take some time to check the company’s website, LinkedIn page and other social media accounts. This might seem like an obvious tip but doing research about the company and about the interviewer shows how interested you are in getting the role. It also gives you an opportunity to find some commonalities that you can use to build a good connection with the hiring manager. If possible, read up on their company values – you want to make sure they align with your personal values and to give you an opportunity to dig deeper into how they actually LIVE their values on a day-to-day basis.?

DON’T #1: Let anyone else emerge in your video?

Even if you are using a virtual background, you need to make sure that nobody is around or behind your screen. While this might be funny at times, this can still come off as distracting for you and for the hiring manager.?

DON’T #2: Being overly conscious with how you appear in the screen?

While it is good to check your appearance on the screen sometimes, you still need to keep good eye contact with the hiring managers as if you are talking to them in person. This shows that you are paying attention to them and very engaged in the meeting. Always keep your camera on and at a clear angle!?

DON’T #3: Freak out if something goes wrong?

It can be frustrating that despite preparing for the interview, your computer will glitch, baby will cry, or dog will bark. Stuff happens and the hiring managers have seen these situations before so do not get flustered! Try your best to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience. While there are things that you will not be able to control, you will always be able to work on the way you handle and react to those situations.?

DON’T #4: Forget to ask questions at the end?

Take this opportunity to ask questions about the role, the company and anything else you would like to know to ensure you are fully aware of the requirements and offer should you be successful! See our related post on the Top 10 questions to ask at interview.?

Finally, our greatest tip is to relax, be yourself and be confident to showcase your experience, personality, and skills. At the end of the day, only one person can get the job so putting these dos and don’ts into practice will help to put you at the top of the hiring manager’s mind.?