Preparing for an Online Interview

Source:  rocket50

By:  Sarah Porter-Braun

Date: May 7, 2024

In today's environment, you'll likely receive an invitation to participate in an online job interview at some point during your job search.  If you're returning to the workforce after a time out or haven't had to do a lot of video calls in your current job, this may seem a bit daunting.  After all, in-person interviews can offer more of a personal connection, higher engagement, and other cues that could be more difficult in virtual interviews. But with a little preparation, you can succeed in acing your virtual job interview.

Below are some helpful tips that can help you feel confident and prepared for job interviews in a virtual environment, such as mastering the technology, eliminating distractions, understanding video call etiquette, presenting yourself professionally, and more.

HOW ARE VIRTUAL JOB INTERVIEWS DIFFERENT?

If you are preparing for a job interview (and especially if you’ve interviewed in the past), you may be wondering how virtual interviews differ from in-person interviews.

Job interviews have always been daunting for employees of all experience levels because they include a fast first impression and could put you on the spot to prove yourself. There is an even higher chance for things to go wrong if your prospective employer wants to chat face-to-face online.

Not only do you face potential connection issues or tech problems, but it can be harder to read someone virtually. You will have to change some of the things you think about during the interview. You may find the format is different as well. Depending on the type of online interview you are participating in, there are some instances where you are just recording your answers instead of conversing with a live person on the other end. This can be stressful for some candidates. Just remember that being brave enough to take the plunge and show initiative during an unfamiliar interview process is already a positive step in the right direction!

Going through an online job interview for the first time can be scary, but we are here to help! Here are 15 tips to help you succeed:

1. Set Up And Test Your Computer

Today technology can be overwhelming and you need to feel comfortable using whichever method your prospective employee prefers (Zoom, Skype, Teams, FaceTime, etc.). When you receive the interview invitation, check the meeting link, to know which video conferencing platform will be used.  If it isn't clear, ask the prospective employer which platform they use, download it on your computer if necessary, and get familiar with it.  Platforms like Zoom and Skype are pretty user-friendly, but it helps to feel familiar with the interface before you get on with your employer and realize you are trying to respond but are still muted.

Once you’re comfortable with the requisite program, test your internet connection and your audio and video quality to ensure everything works properly.

Quick Tip - you don't need to download software for all of the platforms as long as they've sent you a link.  But you do for some, so it's important to know this in advance.

Here are a few questions to ask your interviewer before your meeting to be prepared:

• Is it an audio interview? Or both audio and video?
• Will there be someone on the other end of the video or are the questions pre-recorded?
• If the questions are pre-recorded, how many times can I record my answer?
• What do I do if I have technical difficulties?

Then, practice using the platform with a friend or family member.

2. Let Lighting Drive Your Location

Find an area with sufficient lighting so that your face is illuminated.  Stay away from overhead lights during the interview, if you can, and try to sit near a window with your face towards the light. You always want to put your best foot (or in this case, face) forward!

Lighting Dos:

• Natural (window) light is best because it gives the best (most accurate) color.
• Turn off any overhead lights if you can sit by a window because they will add a yellow or blue tint (depending on the kind of bulb).
• Light on your face will highlight your eyes and facial features.

Lighting Don’ts:

• Lighting from above or behind will cause strange shadows on your face and a frizz halo out of your hair.
• Lighting from behind or the side will cause a glare, making it difficult for the interviewer to see you.
• Lighting from behind or the side can also cause a glare on your screen and make it hard for you to see the interviewer!

Quick Tip: find and set up a spot for your online meeting the day before so you’re not rushing around before the interview. Make sure you have a stable table for your laptop. You don’t want it bouncing around or wobbling during the interview. You may need to elevate your laptop or computer camera so the camera frame captures you from just below your shoulders to just above your head. If you are using a tablet or smartphone, use a device tripod to hold it steady.

3. Forgo Virtual Backgrounds

While backgrounds can be fun, we recommend skipping this temptation. Backgrounds can be distracting and unprofessional for a first-time meeting. You want to choose the most professional area of your home for the interview.  If you can't find a perfect or professional-looking background, select the "blur background" feature within the video platform.

Quick Tip:  As you try to identify a good place for your interview, start with a place that has the best lighting.  Then move on to ensuring that the background accompanying that location is appropriate.  Be sure the background is free of clutter and odd things such as a a bed or toilet. It may seem obvious, but sometimes people just don’t think about the first impression their home makes.

Acceptable backgrounds are blurred entirely or include books, tactful home décor, tidy plants, or artsy pieces. A blank wall is even acceptable because it keeps the focus on you.

4. Eliminate Distractions

Be sure to silence your phone and any notifications on your computer. Being interrupted during an interview seems unprofessional unless you have an emergency.  If there's a possibility that an urgent situation could arise, either re-schedule the interview for another time or prepare your interviewer for this possibility.

Quick tip:  Make sure other people in your home know that you're having an interview, and ask them to go outside/away or to simply be quiet. If there is a door in the room you're in, be sure to close it so pets can't become the sideshow.  You might be surprised at what interviewers have seen -- everything from cats walking across the computer screen and closing the session, to half-clothed people walking across the room in the background or children screaming in the next room.  Don’t jeopardize your career by not being prepared! If you can’t be sure that people aren’t going to cause distractions, either take your interview to another location or make sure your family members can plan to be gone for the day.

5. Log On Early To Test

Being "on time" actually means logging on about 15 -20 minutes early. For a virtual interview, you want to be ready 10 minutes early. Setting up the computer, logging on, and getting settled is equivalent to the 'driving, parking, and waiting room' part of the in-person interview process. Make sure everything works and then you can relax and review company information, answers to anticipated questions, and questions you have for the interviewer.

Quick Tip: ALWAYS assume your interviewer can hear and see everything you do and everything around you. From the moment you log in until you close the screen, assume they can hear and see everything.

6. Sit Up And Dress Professionally

Even though you’re not meeting your interviewer in person, dress for success and sit up straight.  First impressions matter and your appearance can make or break your success.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to smile! Whether you are talking to an actual person or recording your answers, smile the way you would during an in-person interview. Wear flattering clothes and fit the job you are interviewing for. When in doubt, dress up rather than down.  Not only will sitting up and smiling make you look more professional and engaged—they will also help you feel more powerful and energetic! Good posture makes you feel more confident, puts you in a better mood, and communicates openness.

7. Calm Your Nerves

Practice your main talking points if you’re nervous and remember to slow down—it is easy to talk over people on online calls and ramble when you're nervous. Since the screen can reduce your impact, you may need to be slightly louder and more emphatic than you might have in person.

Pro Tip: Even though this particular interview is hosted online, don’t forget to review your traditional interview skills. You’ll want to have answers prepared to the more common or anticipated questions and examples in case they ask for specifics.

Before the interview, try standing in power poses to channel your nerves into feel-good energy. Science has shown that these poses can help you think on the go and perform well under stress.

8. Look Your Interviewer In The Eye

In a virtual environment, eye contact is important. Instead of looking at the person on the screen, look directly into the webcam and stay engaged. It can be tricky to look at the camera when you see a person on the screen. But, looking at the screen can make you look like you are staring down if your screen is below your camera.

Quick Tip: Put a picture of someone you know up by the webcam. This way, you feel as though you’re chatting with a friend. If you have a webcam on a stand, you can even place it in front of the person’s face to make this a little easier.

9. Listen Carefully

It’s easy to miss something important during an interview. Avoid weird situations by jotting down keywords or short reminder phrases if you want to remember a point or circle back to ask a question. Try not to let your note-taking interfere with the interview flow, but taking notes now and then will come across as engaged.  If you miss anything, don't hesitate to ask your interviewer to repeat it.

Quick Tip: Sometimes devices have speakers that don’t get very loud. If you find this is true for you, consider connecting your laptop to external speakers or headphones to get a clearer sound. If you have any gaming or podcasting microphones, using one could improve the quality of your voice for the call.

10. Use Engaging Body Language

Similar to the power poses, using engaged body language during the interview will help you answer with confidence and energy, which make you come across as vibrant and youthful. Even if the call is over the phone, the right posture will help you sound more friendly, open and sure of yourself.

On the flip side, slouching can cause you to feel tired and want to be done. Crossing your arms or legs can look like you aren’t fully engaged and can cause a mental block that makes it hard to take in the information.

Quick Tip:  Be sure to sit up straight with your shoulders back and head up. You may want to practice this when you pick your spot. Positioning your computer or camera at eye level will keep you from leaning over or ducking down to get in the frame. You may need to place it on a box or stand to get it to the perfect height.

11. Don't Rely On Notes

While you might take a few notes during the interview, don’t write down a list of things you want to say or write scripted answers to questions. Too many notes will be awkward while a script is too easy to read. 

Quick Tip: While detailed notes are ill-advised, having your key questions in front of you will help you be prepared when the interviewer asks the inevitable "Do you have any questions for me?". 

Don’t feel like you need to rush into answers. Give yourself a second or two to breathe before answering questions. Not only will a short pause give you a second to organize your thoughts, it keeps you from cutting in on top of the interviewer. Remember, when you are nervous, you are more likely to go faster than when you are comfortable, so slow it down!

12. Be Yourself

You want to come across as genuine and authentic during an interview. This is your opportunity to help the interviewer see what you'd be like as a colleague. Your resume already got your foot in the door, now you get to show who you are as an individual.

Being overly stiff is a common response to jittery nerves. Relax your mind and take cues from your interviewer. For example, when you choose your outfit for the meeting try to dress professionally without squashing your style. If your interviewer is more formal, respond with tight, pointed responses. In contrast, if your interviewer is more casual, you can meet his/her demeanor with more questions or more colorful answers.

Quick Tip: Knowing who you are as a professional is really important. Think deeply about your strengths, weaknesses and traits - it may help to write them down since you might be asked about them anyway. 

13. Make a Strong Connection

Nerves can cause us to focus on ourselves. Anticipating this, pay special attention to the interviewer and listen for mutual interests or experiences.  Try to pick up on cues from him or her — making a personal connection over interests, hobbies, or experiences can help you start building that professional relationship.

Quick Tip: Just as you thought about your background, the interviewer may have as well. You might be able to spot something of interest behind their desk. If you can't identify anything, the weather is an acceptable jumping-off point.

14. Write down 5 Questions Before your Interview

Organization and industry knowledge is critical, so do your research in advance. Come up with five good questions about the company and trends in the industry.  These questions indicate that you've done your homework and are interested in this job.

You want to come up with at least five in case some of them are naturally answered during your interview. Most interviewers ask at the end if you have questions and having two or three questions to ask will show you’ve put thought into this.

Quick Tip: Ask questions that show you would be an engaged and valuable member of the team, ready to get to add value as soon as you are hired.

15. Follow Up

Showing your interest and dedication can go a long way in convincing a hiring manager you are the right person for the job. While you don’t want to be aggressive, desperate or obnoxious, you don’t want to come off as passive, apathetic or lackadaisical either!

Before you wrap up the interview, ask where they are in their process and when they will likely get back to you. If they don’t get back to you by the named day, wait another day or two, then reach out for an update, expressing your interest and fit for the position.

Always send a brief thank you note after the interview when it's fresh on your mind. Reassert your interest in the position and how much you appreciate their time and consideration.

Quick Tip: Most of the time, an email is the best way to connect with an employer because it is less demanding—they can read it in their free time. Keep your contact short and include how much you appreciated interviewing with them. Don’t use a generic boilerplate email. Personalize your “thank you” follow-up so that you come off as genuine.

Bottom Line

Don’t stress too much! Video interviews are commonly used in the first round of candidate interviews because they save the company time and money. They help level the playing field for applicants. The good news is that an in-person interview in the next round is likely, giving you the chance to meet your prospective employer in person.

For more tips and guidance on the job search process, be sure to visit rocket50's Resource Library (for Premium Members) or other Articles for all Members