by Roger Presswood
While COVID-19 has made virtual interviewing a necessary practice, its popularity amongst employers is likely to stick post-pandemic. Virtual interviewing is convenient for employers as it allows for a more efficient interview process, eases scheduling conflicts, saves money and broadens the candidate pool. Increasingly, organizations are choosing to conduct virtual interviews on platforms like Zoom, especially initial screening interviews. And while virtual interviews are often conducted much the same way as face-to-face interviews, they require special considerations and adjustments due to the limited ability to read body language and facial expressions. Bottom line - it’s important to know how to present yourself professionally throughout the virtual interview in order to be the candidate selected for the position.
Here are some key recommendations to make your virtual interview a success:
- Prepare for a virtual interview just as you would for an in-person interview in terms of knowing your motivations, strengths and skills that make you a great candidate for the role. Do not make the mistake of thinking that an interview is somehow less formal or important just because it is virtual. Dress professionally to make a good first impression so the interviewer knows you are taking the interview seriously. This also helps frame your mindset for a formal and professional conversation as well.
- Choose an appropriate interviewing environment, ideally a quiet room/location with no distractions. A neutral color wall behind you or a wall with minimal distractions works best. Arrange your chair to create the optimal “screen-shot” of yourself, preferably with your head and shoulders in the screen.
- Be sure to test your equipment including the microphone and webcam to ensure they are working properly ahead of time. If your built-in microphone creates a hollow or echo sound, try an external microphone for better sound. Experiment with the lighting prior the interview; you don’t want to appear as a dark shadow during the interview. Artificial lighting or either a window should be in front of the screen, shining at you, not from behind you.
- Always practice ahead of time with someone to work on speaking and looking right into the camera. This will also give you an opportunity to test your equipment, your location, interview outfit, and background in order to make sure they look visually appealing on your screen.
- Don’t over-use hand gestures as they will be very distracting on the screen, and maintain proper body posture.
- Despite our natural tendency to look at the interviewer on the screen to make eye contact, make sure you are primarily looking toward your actual computer camera.
- It is important to eliminate all computer system distractions to minimize interruptions in the interview such as closing additional browsers, reminders, and windows with running programs on your computer.
- Make sure the interviewer has your phone number ahead of time in case of a connection failure.
- Remember that even virtually you still need to come across as personable and friendly, so in your initial greeting say “Hello it is very nice to meet you” as you look directly into the camera and smile, which translates warmth and openness.”
- Finally, at the end of the interview, offer another genuine smile looking directly into the camera and thank the interview(s) for their time and let them know you look forward to hearing from them again in the near future.
Now go out there and ace that interview to land that job you’ve been dreaming about. You can do it!
Remember, Rollins alumni are eligible for lifetime career services through the Rollins Office of Career Development. Alumni are welcome to attend all career fairs, mock interview nights, and most workshops. The office is also happy to assist you in your career development process by working with you to refresh your interviewing skills, edit you cover letter or resume, assist with career transitions, advise you in exploring continued education and training opportunities, and more! Please visit our Featured Services page for details