6 Ways to Own Your Virtual Interview

These are 6 ways to own your virtual interview. Finding from a recent Gartner survey confirms that the majority of organizations  (86%) are conducting virtual interviews to hire candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are a job seeker, it’s important that you ace your next job interview by knowing the 6 ways to own your virtual interview.

Explore these 6 ways to own your virtual interview. In an age where we’ve shifted to remote hiring and interviews in the span of a few weeks, learning to nail our online presence is something many people are still getting the hang of. From Zoom meetings to working from home, it can be a tough adjustment to suddenly have your professional life be completely remote. 

Many others are navigating the world of remote job interviews for the first time right now. When you’re not able to have a job interview in person, it’s more important than ever to ensure you stand out from the rest. Keep reading for X of my best tips to nail your virtual interview. 

1. Check your tech and check it again

When preparing for a remote interview, it’s important to be 100% sure that your technology is all working. You don’t want to start off on the wrong foot with an awkward microphone or internet connection problem. Be sure to have extra chargers nearby as well, but it’s best to have everything plugged in if possible. 

2. Reduce background noise

Reducing background noise applies both to your surroundings and your technology. You’ll want to minimize the chance of a dog repeatedly barking or neighbours playing loud music, which could negatively impact your interviewer’s image of you. Try using headphones and testing your sound quality with a friend ahead of time to ensure you sound pitch-perfect on camera. 

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You’ll also want to turn off any background applications that may make your technology run slower. Keep only the necessary applications for your interview open, and be sure to set your notifications to do not disturb.

3. Dress to impress

Despite your interview being virtual, it’s still important to dress the part. Even though it’s unlikely your interviewer will ask you to stand up, you may still need to get up to close a door or a window—in which case, your interviewer would end up seeing your whole outfit.

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Regardless of this, you should be dressing to impress your interviewer. By showing them that you showed up ready to shine, you’ll let them know that you are a serious candidate for the position.

4. Think of camera optics

The nature of remote interviews is that they show your personal life in a way in-person interviews don’t. You’ll want to ensure you have a professional background and wear neutral clothing so you don’t adjust the exposure of the camera. 

5. Being on time is being late

Just like an in-person interview, you’ll want to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled virtual interview. This also gives you an opportunity to check your tech and adjust your background to ensure you’re looking clean and professional. 

For a complete guide to owning the age of remote hiring, check out the infographic courtesy of Resume Now below. 

Infographic: Owning the Age of Remote Hiring – How to nail Your Virtual First Impression

6. Keep your eyes on the prize

When in a remote video call, it’s tempting to look at yourself on the screen. However, this can look to interviewers like you are averting your eyes—and eye contact is one of the most important signals of confidence to a recruiter. Instead, look at the camera on your computer (usually a green light at the top of your screen). This gives off the impression of confidence and lets your interviewer know that you mean business. 

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Video: Land Your Next Remote Job – Quick Tips to Video Interview Like a Pro

Virtual meetings are something we are all learning to navigate right now. Whether you’re a seasoned WFH-er or just starting out on your interview process, it’s important to be on top of your game when in a video interview. 

Now that you have explored these 6 ways to own your virtual interview, what can you add? Let’s hear from you. Leave your comments below.