Virtual Interview: What you need to know
If anything from COVID-19 is sticking around in the world of recruitment, it’s the virtual interview. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, unless you were interviewing for a position that would require relocation, the virtual interview was quite rare. As a career services professional, I hardly ever spoke with students and graduates about how to prepare for this type of interview. It is now 2022, and the virtual interview is here to stay.
Before I give you some advice on how to ensure your virtual interview is a success, it’s important to understand WHY employers are keeping this around as a method to meet with candidates. If you have read any of my other posts, I have a common theme that you need to get your mind focused on the employer. I know. It’s hard to do. When we are job searching and looking for our next opportunity, we like to think it’s all about us. And it is, to an extent. Recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals have a tough job to do in today’s job market. There are tons of opportunities and tons of people looking for employment. The virtual interview sometimes allows for them to get more accomplished in a day than bringing in potential candidates face to face.
Many of positions today require candidates to be comfortable with technology. This isn’t something you can escape. Having a virtual interview allows the recruiter to experience your skills with such tools and how easily you can navigate different platforms. Recruiters can also complete many more interviews virtually than they can face to face. There is no time in between to walk to different spaces, greet guests, bring them to designated room, collect the correct people to conduct the interview, etc. Believe it or not, all of those things cost money. A virtual interview is cost efficient as well as convenient.
With that being said, it is possible to have numerous candidates for the position you are interviewing for. Even if you are meeting virtually, there are some things you can do to ensure you are selected to move forward in the interview process. Check them out below.
- Confirm the type, date, and time of your interview
This might sound silly, but always confirm what type of interview you are having, as well as the day and time. When I say interview type (assuming you already know your interview is virtual), find out if this is panel interview, a group interview, or a one-on-one. A panel interview means more than one person will be interviewing you. A group interview means there will be more than one candidate (you) in the meeting. A one-on-one interview means it will just be you and one other person (the employer) in the virtual meeting space. Once you know what type it is, you will be able to prepare much better. Make sure you have the correct date and time. If the company’s headquarters are not local, for example, make sure you have the right time zone (EST vs PST vs. CST). You don’t want to sign on for a meeting that takes place late or early because you didn’t confirm the time zone!
- Designate your interview space and set expectations
If you have a home office, that’s great! If you don’t, you’ll need to ensure another quiet and private space to conduct your interview. Any room in your home will work, as long as there is appropriate lighting and minimal background distractions. I don’t recommend your bedroom unless your private things are not visible (having a wall behind you, not sitting on your bed, etc.) If you live alone, you won’t have to worry about others interrupting (except for perhaps a pet that likes your attention). However, if you live with other people or have people that stop by unexpected, you need to communicate to them when your interview is and explain that you can have absolutely no interruptions. Give people enough notice to make plans to not be home or at least be aware of your needs and your requests. The interview shouldn’t be much longer than an hour, which isn’t a big ask when talking to your housemates about having them be quiet or not in your space. If you really can’t find a space or time in your home where you feel confident you won’t be disturbed, contact your local library and see if they have a space you can use. If you are a college student, contact your career services office to see if there is a classroom or office space you can use for your interview.
Be very mindful of your surroundings. Make sure the lighting in your space is appropriate. For example, do not sit with a window behind you, as the light will block out your face, making the employer unable to see you. Instead, sit with your light source in front of you or over your head. Ensure your wall décor is appropriate and that a viewer would not find it offensive. Turn on your camera on your laptop of desktop and see what you look like before joining the meeting.
You have options! But you need to plan ahead so you can focus on what really matters, the interview questions.
- Test your technology
There are many different platforms an employer can use to conduct your virtual interview. Many of us are familiar with Zoom or Skype, but there are MANY others. You will want to ensure that a few days before your scheduled interview, you test the technology. Typically, you will receive an email with the link to join the meeting. You can click that link in advance to see what, if anything, you will need to download to ensure you can join the meeting. For example, when I was transitioning careers, my desktop computer at home did not have Zoom installed. Luckily, it didn’t take long to install it to join my interview, but I should have checked that ahead of time. You will also want to make sure your sound works and that your microphone is working. Many people prefer to use a headset because it blocks out other noises and makes your voice sound clearer. This is completely your preference, but whatever you choose, make sure you test it in advance. This should go without saying, but ensure you have a good wi-fi connection to avoid freezing, dropping the meeting, and slow login times. Plan to sign on two to three minutes early to ensure you are not late and to give yourself a small buffer to handle any mishaps.
- Set your professional identity
Most platforms will show your name or your email when you sign in under your face when your camera is on. Make sure that your name is spelled appropriately and you have a professional photo. For example, if you already have a Zoom account for personal reasons, or even a GMAIL, make sure you have a photo that is appropriate for an employer to see. When in doubt, leave it out.
Be mindful of how you present on camera. Even though you aren’t physically visiting an employer in their space, you still need to dress the part, at least from the waist up. Make sure you have an appropriate top and are covered the same way you would be for an in-person interview. It can be easy to forget that we are on camera when we are in the comfort of our own home. Keep tissues handy, don’t touch your face or hair excessively and remember that others are watching you and your behavior. Look at the person speaking to you on the screen, not yourself or into the camera lens. It will look as though you are not paying attention to the employer or that your eyes are wandering.
- Do your research!
Now that you’ve set up your space, tested your technology, got your outfit ready to go, you can focus on preparing for the big day. There is no excuse in 2022 to NOT take five minutes to review the company you are applying to work for. Take a look at their website and look for anything that helps you understand the direction of the organization. Are there any news spotlights? Any new hire? Any awards the company has received? This will show the employer that are genuinely interested in becoming a part of their team. The best part about the interview being virtual? You can keep your notes right in front of you to refer to!
- Prepare your questions.
Make sure that you write down at least five questions that you will want to ask the person conducting your interview. I know five might seem excessive, but chances are some your questions are going to be answered during the course of the interview. You will want to have a few left at the end. Questions you can ask include:
- Will there be training provided to me in this role?
- What kind of support will I have when I have questions or need assistance?
- Is this a new position or a replacement?
- What professional development opportunities are available?
- What challenges do you see the person accepting this role facing in the short and long term?
- What do you love most about your position?
- What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of your role?
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
- Practice, Practice, Practice
I can’t stress this enough. It feels silly when you are talking to yourself or role playing with a friend or relative, but it really is so helpful. This is where you can figure out what sounds good, what sounds terrible, and where you freeze and stumble over your questions. Some students I have worked with in the past have recorded themselves and watched it back to catch their mistakes or nervous habits. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
- Send your thank you email
When you are done with the interview, be sure to send a thank you email within 24 hours. This will ensure you are remembered in a positive light and keep your name fresh in the interviewers mind. 15% of people send thank you notes, and employers love them! Make sure you are part of the 15% that do it. If you need help, refer to my blog post on how to craft and send thank you letters.
That’s it! If you can do those things, you will find yourself feeling confident and prepared for your virtual interview. Good luck!
