Useful Tips to Help you Master Virtual Interview
Virtual interview tips! In this article, you will learn how to prepare for a virtual interview. Useful tips to help you master virtual interviews. What is a virtual interview?
As an ode to maintaining strict social distancing, virtual interviews have considerably made it easier to interview candidates without the expense of travel, time and space.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, a lot of things have changed, also the recruitment process. The old hand-shaking and face-to-face meetings in the office were substituted with online meeting appointments in the comfort of our home offices. This doesn’t mean it’s a less important moment in your career, it’s just different.
A strong internet connection and confidence is all you need while appearing for an interview, within the comfort of your home.
8 Useful Tips to Help you Master Virtual Interviews
1. Prepare before-hand
Virtual interviews are a lot different than on-site interviews. You should take ample preparations before you sit for the interview. Practice your speaking skills, and it’s also advisable to do a mock-interview session with a close friend or family member before the main step.
2. Test your technology
Always check your microphone and speaker or your headphones before the interview. Do remember to check the internet connection or try sitting in an area where the network connection is already pretty strong.
3. Don’t memorise
Long gone are the days when you had to memorise answers for your school tests. Now, the key to ace your interviews lies in answering questions knowledgeably in a relaxed yet confident tone. You shouldn’t sound robotic because it’ll prevent you from answering your questions naturally and genuinely. A few practice sessions would do the trick.
4. Adopt a good posture & mind your gestures
During your interview, try to maintain a professional posture, find the most comfortable chair at home, put your computer on a desk and your back straight. Remember, we are apart, but we can still see your body language.
5. Proper space and lighting
Don’t sit in an area where the light is dim. Sit in front of the light source so that you can be seen clearly. Try to reduce the number of distractions in and outside the room so that you can concentrate better during the interview. And always tidy up the place where you’ll be sitting during the interview. No interviewer wants to see dirty space on the screen. Remember, first impressions always matter.
6. Dress the part and be yourself
Put on a formal shirt or attire that looks professional yet not too showy. Looking smart and confident plays a major role in bagging the role. And you should never act pretentious just to impress your interviewer. Instead, focus on impressing them with your true personality and actual skills. That’ll count.
7. Make “eye contact”
Even though you are doing a virtual interview and seeing your interviewers through a computer screen, that doesn’t mean eye contact isn’t necessary. Avoid looking around the room, checking your phone or any other open tab you might have. Show that you are focused and present.
8. Eliminate Distractions
Whether you sit on your living room couch or in your home office, tidy up your surroundings for the interview and eliminate all distractions. Turn off the TV, silence or turn off your phone, and close any nearby windows to avoid noise.
To sum it up: the key to mastering a virtual interview is proper preparation. From ensuring your technology is working to conducting research before the meeting, sitting down at your computer poised and ready for any and all questions will help set you apart from other applicants. Be authentic and enthusiastic about this new possible chapter in your life.
So follow these 8 tips, and you’ll master your virtual interview like a pro!
|