I know that we all get the jitters before an interview and now that we’re in a pandemic, virtual interviewing can be even more intimidating. However, there are ways in which you can successfully ace your virtual interview and make use of some of the advantages we now have as virtual interviewees.
Here are some steps you can take to nail your virtual interview:
1. Looking the Part
Although you’re interviewing virtually you must still ensure that you look the part. That means dressing exactly like how you would dress if it were an in-person interview. You must also ensure that you have good lighting, a professional background (solid wall works), and ensure that you’re interviewing in a quiet place with no distractions. Recruiters have stated that an interviewee that takes all of these steps instantly makes a good impression and starts off the interview on a positive note.
2. Be Prepared
Always ensure that you are well prepared for your interview. Ensure that audio and wifi are working for whichever device you will be interviewing with, to ensure no surprises happen while you’re interviewing. Of course, sometimes technical difficulties are out of our control but taking preventive measures can help to ensure they won’t happen. Also, make sure that you do the necessary research on the company, industry, and role you will be interviewing for. The more knowledgeable you are, the more confident you’ll be as questions get thrown your way. Make sure that you practice what questions you could possibly be asked. Glassdoor and Indeed are great resources for what interview questions you could possibly be asked and oftentimes you are asked the same ones on these sites.
It is important that you portray confidence, even if you don’t always feel it. Remember that you’re simply just interviewing with another human being, who like yourself was once in your shoes. Another step you can take to ensure confidence is practicing your responses in front of your chosen device for your interview. Eye contact is still important even in a virtual interview, so it's important that you practice looking into the camera beforehand. It can be a little weird doing so if you don't accustom yourself beforehand so make sure to get comfortable speaking while looking into the camera. It is important to note that practice is necessary but you don’t want to recite your responses word for word, or your interviewer will not know that your responses are scripted. You want to make sure that when you practice your responses you sound conversational and not robotic.
3. Ask Questions
Interviews don’t always end on the allotted end time and so you want to make sure that you have some questions prepared in case you have extra time. It’s always a good idea to prepare
at least 5 questions to ask your interviewer at the end of the interview. Try to steer away from basic questions like “what does your day to day look like” and ask questions that show you’ve done your research. An example would be asking about a new product launch or asking about some of the initiatives the company has taken recently. It is important that you are prepared to ask various questions so that there is never an awkward silence and you make good use of all of your allotted interview time. Remember you want to impress your interviewer and asking questions can be an easy way to do that. Also, don't forget to ask for their email, you’ll need this to send a follow-up thank-you note after your interview.
4. Always Follow Up
Finally, you got through the hard part! Now you must ensure that you put their email to use. It is important that you send a follow-up thank-you note, no later than 24 hours after your interview. This thank you note must consist of gratitude for their time, something you learned or enjoyed from the interview, and how excited you are to possibly move forward with the company.
Interviewing is hard and it won’t always have your desired outcome but taking these steps can ensure you do everything possible to at least walk away knowing that you aced it!
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