Virtual job interviews are becoming a more integral element of the job search process. For employers, it serves as an efficient, low-cost alternative to conducting interviews in person. Phone interviews are a longstanding, widely used practice that most job seekers have encountered during their career. Over the course of the past decade, a whole new range of options has been introduced, such as video calls, web conferencing, and video job interview software.
For those who have yet to experience a video-based job interview, it’s important to prepare. To help you brush up on virtual job interviews, below are some best practices.
Virtual Job Interview Best Practices
Technology
Make sure that the technology you are using is in working order. A strong internet connection is essential to a seamless video interview, so find a location where your wifi is reliable. Next, charge your devices. You’ll likely be using your phone or laptop, but consider other accessories, too, such as headsets or wireless ear buds. A few days prior to the interview, review the tech specifications and make sure you have the latest version of the software downloaded.
For video, make sure your webcam is positioned at eye level. This will help the conversation flow more naturally in the interview.
If you are uncomfortable with the technology or have never done a virtual interview, consider asking a friend to help you do a mock interview as practice and be open to feedback. Informational interviews are another strategy to get more practice.
Ensuring that you are comfortable with the technology will help you focus on the content of the interview, and hopefully prevent any unforeseen technology issues.
Curate Video Call Background
The person interviewing you is taking note of everything during the interview, from the answers to their questions to the background of your video call. Do your best to find a quiet space without background noise where you can be uninterrupted. Next, identify a space with good lighting. Avoid areas where there’s a lighting source, such as a window or lamp, in back of you as to avoid shadowing your face.
Choose a room with a neutral background such as a white wall with limited decor. If this isn’t realistic for your home, take a critical look at the space. You’ll want to limit clutter and other visual distractions. Move around furniture and other household items if necessary. For example, you can place a plant on a bookshelf to make it look more visually appealing (or even to conceal a small pile of odds and ends). If privacy is important to you, scan your space for photos or other personal items so you can remove them prior to joining your video call or web conference.
Dress for Success
Dress as you would for an in person job interview. No matter your industry, what you wear contributes to the positive impression you hope to make as a part of your interview.
Be Yourself
Remember the reasons you applied for the job. Be confident in the fact that the employer saw something in your application that stood out to them and asked you to speak further. Whether a phone or video interview, take your time answering questions. Feel free to take a pause instead of saying “um” to gather your thoughts to before responding. Thoughtful responses will allow the real you to shine through. If you are nervous, that is alright. Before the interview, take a moment, look over your notes, and remember why you are interested in the role. Expressing your enthusiasm for the role through thoughtful answers will be well received.
Follow Up
Often at the end of an interview, the employer will ask if you have any questions for them. Here are some questions to consider asking:
- What are the top 3-5 priorities you would like the person in this role to accomplish in the first year?
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
- I saw [X] mentioned in the job posting and wanted to ask if you could elaborate?
When the interview ends, make sure that the technology is switched off. Write down any thoughts you had during the interview or information you would like to remember.
Within 48 hours of the interview ending, you can stand out as a job candidate by sending a thank you email to the employer for their time. Feel free to address something specific you heard in the interview that you would look forward to working on. Even rarer these days, but appreciated nonetheless, is sending a handwritten thank you note to the person who you spoke with.
- Scenario A:
You are offered the role. Congratulations! - Scenario B:
The employer lets you know that they are moving in a different direction with the position. This is ok, and not all is lost. There is another job out there for you somewhere instead.
In either case, the benefit of a virtual interview is that it proves to be good practice for a future one or for future calls involving similar technology.