In today’s working world, where your first handshake is often a Wi-Fi signal and your interview room is a screen away, mastering the art of the virtual job interview isn’t just useful—it’s essential. Whether you’re meeting a potential employer from your living room or your makeshift home office, your virtual presence needs to be just as sharp as your CV.
Nervous? Good. It means you care. Now let’s turn that energy into preparation that lands the job. Here’s how to prepare for a virtual job interview and make a powerful impression—no matter the screen size.
What is a virtual interview?
A virtual interview is an interview that takes place remotely, usually via software systems such as Zoom or Skype.
It is usually conducted much the same way as face-to-face interviews. That being said, it does require a slightly different type of preparation.
Steps To Ace Your Virtual Interview
Preparation isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about standing out. In a virtual interview, every detail counts, from your internet connection to your facial expressions. The good news? You can ace your interview with the right approach. You can turn a pixelated meeting into a powerful first impression. Here are the steps to show you how to prepare for a virtual job interview and will help you shine through the screen and leave a lasting impact.
1. Check your technology beforehand
Virtual interviews require you to have a camera and microphone on your computer, a software program (such as Skype or Zoom) and a dependable internet connection.
However, the internet is not always reliable. At least a day before your interview, check all of your technology to ensure that it’s all working well. Double check things such as the sound, camera and internet connection quality.
Do so again a half hour before your interview when you sign in to the meeting link provided.
2. Dress appropriately
You should expect all remote interviews to be just as formal as a face-to-face one would be. This means that you have to dress accordingly.
Doing so not only makes you appear professional, but it will also make you feel more confident. If you’re unsure about what to wear, business casual is your best bet.
3. Practice common questions
Just because there won’t be that pressure of physically sitting in front of your interviewers, you still need to practice in order to get the best results.
To ensure that you don’t freeze up and that the conversation flows naturally, we suggest preparing just as you would for an in-person interview. Read and practice the most common interview questions so that you don’t get caught off guard.
4. Limit distractions
A remote interview can mean being surrounded by quite a bit of distractions, especially if you do not live alone.
Choose a quiet area in your home that is clean and professional looking so that the focus is solely on you and not your surroundings.
Also inform the people in your home of the interview time and the area you will be using to avoid any possible disruptions.
6. Express enthusiasm
When communicating virtually, it’s still necessary to find ways to express enthusiasm. Hiring managers essentially want to hire someone that conveys excitement for the position in the way they answer questions.
Virtual interviews give you the rare opportunity to show yourself in a relaxing and familiar environment. Take advantage of this by using your body language, eye contact and interview preparation to showcase your personality.
Begin With Bellview
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We are dedicated to helping professionals begin their dream careers.
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Author: Layla Theunissen
Date Published: 13 January 2021