To everyone who used to commute into an office while dreaming of working from home: Welcome to the new ‘normal.’ With the global pandemic, many of us have now found our living rooms, kitchens, or even basements doubling as offices, with work/life balance becoming all but a blur. Of course, working from home has not only changed the way we do our jobs but also changed the way we look for them. Enter virtual interviews.
A poll by Gartner showed that 86 percent of organizations are incorporating virtual interviews as a means of meeting job candidates. And LinkedIn career expert Blair Heitmann says, “Virtual video interviews are becoming the norm and likely here to stay. In fact, more than half of talent professionals say that a major impact of coronavirus is transforming in-person interviews to virtual ones, which is a huge change for both candidates and hiring managers.”
There are benefits to the WFH lifestyle. Your commute is non-existent. You only really have to look professional from the waist up. And no one notices if you’re away from your desk for more than 15 minutes. But while you may have gotten used to communicating with all your coworkers via video calls, trying to make a good first virtual impression with a recruiter requires more than just a good WiFi connection and a nice Zoom shirt. Here are some tips on how to ace your next virtual interview.
1. Approach it like an in-person interview.
Yes, the format is different, but your goal is still the same: to prove why you’re the best candidate for the job. That means doing your homework, knowing how to tackle common interview questions, be respectful, and make a good impression. Show up early, even though you’re not leaving your house, and wear something that projects professionalism and confidence. Says Heitmann, “In general, you should treat a video interview the same way you would an in-person interview, from how you prepare to how you dress to how you follow up. If you wouldn’t do it in the same room, you shouldn’t do it on video.”
2. Test your tech before the interview.
Technology is like a frenemy: On the one hand, it’s enabling you to easily connect with companies but on the other hand, it can be unpredictable and uncooperative at the most inopportune times. “The most important thing is to test your tech,” says Heitman. “Even if you’re perfectly prepared, tech hiccups can throw you off your game instantly.“
Get familiar with whatever video platform you’ll be using for the interview. “If you’ve never used Teams or Blue Jeans before, the interview shouldn’t be the first time!” says Heitman. She suggests testing out the software or app you’ll be using by calling a friend or family member first (that’s also a good excuse to catch up with a loved one). Understand what the different functions and features are, such as how to mute and unmute, turn on and off your video, type in chat, screen share, or more.
“Most importantly, make sure they can see and hear you clearly,” Heitman says. “One trick that can help things run more smoothly is to join the call from your laptop with video, but dial into the audio from your cell phone. That way, even if the WiFi starts skipping, your interviewer won’t miss a word.”
3. Choose the right location.
Sure, your bedroom is comfortable, but you may not want to do your interview with a pile of laundry in the background. Heitman says to “test your location to make sure that what the interviewer sees is clear and professional, and they’re not distracted by poor lighting or odd angles.” She suggests finding a quiet room with a simple background, where there won’t be a lot of foot traffic, and to face a light source like a window or lamp.
4. Position your camera at eye level and look directly into it.
You’ve probably taken enough selfies to realize that the camera angle can make a huge difference. The same goes for the camera on your laptop. “You want to position your computer or camera so that it’s at eye level,” says Heitman. “I know it’s called a laptop, but it shouldn’t be in your lap for a video call unless you want to give them a view of the inside of your nose. Prop it up with a stand or a few books and put it about an arm’s length away so you’re framed nicely in the middle of the screen. Generally, you want to see yourself from around the chest up, with a bit of space above your head. Be sure to look right into the camera lens and at your interviewer, not at yourself.” Body language is important as well, and even though it’s harder to read non-verbal cues through video, try to sit up straight, smile, and be focused on the interviewer vs. looking around the room.
5. Practice, practice, practice.
“Just like an in-person interview, you’ll want to practice to make sure you sound relaxed and confident when answering questions, not stiff or unprepared,” says Heitman. Have your go-to answers and professional examples ready, and prepare by talking outloud or to friends and family. Know your story and be concise and be confident.
“When you’re on a video call it can be really tempting to write out a script and read from your notes, but that’s going to feel stiff and unnatural,” says Heitman. “Instead, practice for interviews by preparing and rehearsing responses to frequently asked questions until you feel comfortable with them.”
Heitman suggests LinkedIn’s Interview Prep Tool as one way to practice. This tool allows you to record your responses to see how you come across and where you can improve. You can also use the AI-powered Instant Feedback tool, where you can submit a recorded answer to common interview questions and get suggestions on your pacing, if you’re using filler words, and more.
With video, it can be even harder to showcase soft skills like creativity and collaboration, even though LinkedIn data shows that 92 percent of talent professionals say soft skills are just as if not more important than hard skills in hiring people. LinkedIn has a tool called Video Introductions where candidates can record and send a video response for companies that want to see them, which is a great way to give a company a better idea of your overall personality when applying for a job.
Did these tips for virtual interviews help you? Tell us in the comments, then shop more work-from-home essentials from our office edit!
Join The Conversation (4)
It’s better than nothing. There’s nothing worse than being out of a job and not out of money. I know it. …. I haven’t been able to find a job in three months.
It’s better than nothing. There’s nothing worse than being out of a job and not out of money. I know it. …. I haven’t been able to find a job in three months.
It’s an interesting idea. People always need jobs. The quarantine is not a reason to give up your career and future!
HI! Thank you so very much for these great tips on virtual interviews!