Top 3 Best Practices to Win at Virtual Interviews

We’ve all been there before, staring longingly at the dark, quiet screen of our phone – waiting. Whether it’s days after an amazing first date or an impressive first interview, the feeling is always the same – agonizing.

For some of us, the thought of interviewing can be absolutely dreadful and fill us with anxiety. You hate talking about yourself and loathe the awkward silence when you can’t come up with a quick enough answer.

While for others, it’s easy and enjoyable. It’s nothing more than an opportunity to rave about your amazing skills in hopes of landing that dream job that could change the trajectory of your entire future.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum, the year 2020 has not only changed the world, but also the job market entirely.

From coffee dates via Facetime to weddings officiated over Zoom. In order to stay connected, learning how to navigate the world of tech has become a necessity.

For those of us who find more success with in-person interactions, this new era of virtual living can be a scary world to navigate. And while looking for jobs is already an intimidating process, landing your next gig through the lens of a computer camera only adds an extra layer of stress.

But the world of virtual interviews doesn’t have to be such a scary place. You may even find that you have more confidence from the comfort of your own home while wearing sweatpants that no one on the other side of the camera can see.

In this article, I’m going to offer you some virtual interview tips that can help you land the career you’ve been waiting for!

1.Virtual Interview Prep 

Taking some time to prep before your interview is going to be the most important tip I can offer you. Going into an interview blind, especially with your ideal company, can leave you waiting for the phone to ring for days, even weeks, wondering where you went wrong.

Before your interview, research the company and get to know their culture. Ideally, 1-3 hours of research will give you a good idea of what the company is about.

Ask yourself questions like:

• Is the culture the right fit for you?
• What stands out to you about the company culture?
• Why do you want to work for them?
• What will your position within the company entail?
• Do they have good reviews on Glassdoor and other online platforms?

Based on what you learn about the company and the position you’re interested in, spend some time researching some relevant and common virtual interview questions to use for practice.

When creating your answers, focus on your strengths and the value you can bring to their organization. A great way to do this is by using the S.T.A.R method.

SITUATION: Give some background to the interviewer on what the situation was leading up to your role in solving it.

TASK: Describe what needed to be done and what your role was.

ACTION: What actions did you take and how did you get to your outcome.

RESULT: What was the end result of your actions and how did it benefit everyone involved?

Spending the time to gain in-depth knowledge of the company and having well-prepared answers tailored to your role within it will help to set you apart from other candidates. Combine this tactic with the other two discussed in this article and you will win at virtual interviewing.

2. Set Yourself Apart From the Other Candidates

Did you know that on average, job seekers will spend 11 hours a week looking for work? That’s a lot of time and research to land your ideal interview with your most sought after company!

And once you have their attention, it will be up to you to set yourself apart from the other job seekers out there vying for the same opportunity.

Showing up on camera with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm that you would in an in-person interview will help set the stage for your success. It will be imperative to show them that no matter what the setting, you have the ability to show up and be your best self. 

Ask yourself the following:

• Am I smiling and making eye contact?
• Is my attire professional? Did you know that being too casually dressed impacts hiring decisions for 62% of recruiters?
• Do I know who my interviewers are and their background?

Since you spent so much time doing your research, show them what you know about the organization, and point out some key components that stand out to you.

How do you plan to contribute to their goals as a company?

If possible, go the extra mile to find out who you’ll be interviewing with. Do some light research to find out how long they’ve been with the organization and their role within it.

Lastly, I recommend preparing 3-5 questions about the company. These questions should accomplish 3 things:

• Eliminate any reservations the interviewer may have about you
• Prove your interest in the employer
• Determine if the employer is the right fit for you.

With such a competitive candidate pool, making sure you stand out above the rest is going to be key in landing your new gig.

3.Implement Virtual Interview Practice 

The only way to get comfortable in front of the camera is to BE in front of the camera. 

Interviewers can’t meet you in person so they have to be able to get an idea of who you are through the camera lens. Confidence in front of the camera is going to win you BIG POINTS with the person on the other side. 

I recommend calling up a friend using a video platform to practice your virtual interview skills. If you can’t find someone to practice with, try recording a video of yourself using your questions and answers created during your interview prep to gauge your on-camera strengths and weaknesses. 

Here are some key items to be aware of during your virtual interview: 

• Make eye contact with the camera lens. 
• Check that your surroundings are free from distractions. 
• Ensure your body language is confident and that you’re sitting tall. 
• The use of appropriate pause breaks between questions and answers.
• Your attire for virtual interviews is clean and professional. 

It’s these sort of small details that make a big difference.

You Got This!

The virtual interview is the new reality for many of us. And while being comfortable on camera isn’t for everyone, with some practice, there are ways to overcome this obstacle and show potential employers your worth. 

Showing up with the same confidence and knowledge you would bring to an in-person interview IS possible and the only thing standing between you and that dream job is a camera. 

Sources: 

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2014/06/18/10-job-interview-questions-you-should-ask/?sh=759df55ace27
2. https://zety.com/blog/hr-statistics