Today more employers are adopting video conferencing software platforms to conduct job interviews when challenging circumstances won’t allow for an in-person interview.
Virtual interviews are a cost-effective approach for companies to swiftly evaluate prospects and recruit top talent from around the country, even around the world. Since the pandemic, video interviews have become the norm, but a hybrid approach might be the standard as we move towards getting back in-person. One advantage to virtual interviews; it speeds up the process and helps close jobs faster as they are usually easier to schedule. Recruiters can arrange and simply set up an interview in a matter of minutes and take advantage of the seamless experience to connect easily with prospects at any time or place.
If you are the type of person who likes to plan for a job interview, you may be wondering, ‘How do I prepare for my virtual job interview?’ here are our top five tips to improve your chances of advancing to the next round.
1. Familiarize yourself with the platform
Download the app, whether it is Google Meets, ZOOM, or Microsoft Teams, in advance and enter the platform to become familiarized with how it works.
- Maintain your camera open and limit any distractions. Make sure you are in a quiet place where you can focus and maintain your composure throughout the entire process.
- Dress for success. Just like an in-person interview, it is important to wear professional attire to make a good impression on the hiring manager.
- Set up a pilot meeting before the job interview. This way you can plan and practice before the interview, so you do not have difficulties at the last minute.
- Set a formal name. It is important that your name is professionally displayed for the interviewer to see.
- Test your equipment, microphone and webcam, and make sure everything is working properly. Most virtual applications allow you to perform checks on your microphone, speakers and camera and will tell you if there are any technical issues you need to fix.
- Wear earphones throughout the interview to guarantee that the interviewer can hear you clearly and that you also do not miss a word they say.
- Double-check that you have the recruiter’s meeting link and access code, this is going to be provided to you, if not ask for it before the interview.
2. Check your internet connection
3. Set up your interview area
- Computer: Fully charge your computer beforehand. Close web browser tabs and turn off notifications to avoid any interruptions.
- House/office: Try to join the meeting in a private and quiet space. Locate a brightly lit space in the room, for example in front of a window. Silence your phone and other devices. If you do not have a neutral space in your home to video in front of, use a formal background.
