Online Interviewing: No matter which side of the situation you are on, interviews can be nerve-wracking. Everyone is worried about looking their best and saying the right things. An online interview can feel even more intimidating thanks to the impersonal nature of video calls. The good news is that there are ways to improve your skills.
1. Preparing and Practicing Online Interviewing
Some of the most important parts of your interview happen before it ever begins. You need to prepare yourself as much as you can. Test your technology to avoid glitches in the interview. Make sure the camera and microphone work, and learn how to use Zoom office backgrounds so you can present a neat display to the person on the other side of the screen.
You should also prepare for common interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Why do you want to work for this company?” Don’t over-rehearse, but get comfortable with presenting yourself.
2. Having Your Own Questions
Next, come up with questions you have for the person you are interviewing with. Interviews are often the beginning of some type of professional relationship, whether it’s employer-employee or vendor-client. Everyone has a lot on the line, so ask questions that are important to you.
Research the company and its culture before the interview. This will help you understand the company’s mission, values, and work culture and know what types of questions you need to ask.
3. Being Professional
Just as you would for an in-person interview, you need to be professional for a virtual interview. Start by being punctual for the meeting. Making people wait on you tends to leave a bad impression. Even if you log on early and have to wait on the meeting to begin, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
Get dressed for the interview even if you know the people on the other side won’t see the entire outfit. They will still see your effort and you’ll feel more confident. If you are representing a company or your personal brand, use Teams customized backgrounds with your logo.
4. Communicating Well
During the interview, you want to communicate your points well. Maintain good eye contact by looking at the camera when answering questions instead of looking at your screen. This will help you appear more engaged and interested in the conversation.
You should also use examples to support your answers as you talk to the recruiter. If the interviewer asks you to describe a situation where you had to solve a problem, provide a specific example from your past experience.
5. Following Up
As a last step, follow up with the interviewer after the interview. Thank them for their time and express your interest in the position. This will help you stay top of mind and demonstrate your professionalism.
Online Interviewing is here to stay, so embrace them. Create a great impression by preparing yourself and using free office Zoom backgrounds to set the tone and start improving your communication today.