Man sitting at a desk who is on a virtual interview on his laptop

How To Ace A Virtual Interview

Man Working on Laptop

HOW TO ACE A VIRTUAL INTERVIEW

When you think about a job interview, you probably picture the moment of the interview itself: sitting at a desk, answering questions, and trying to evaluate whether the job seems like a good fit for you. But there’s a bit more to it than that. If you want to excel at an interview – remote or in person – then there are three different stages to think about.

Stage 01:Preparing for an interview

Stage 02:During the interview

Stage 03:Following up after the interview

It’s important to do well in the interview. But your preparation and follow-up can also make all the difference. Someone who’s great at talking off-the-cuff can still perform badly if they haven’t done their research before an interview. Someone who struggles with confidence during an interview can improve their chances with a great follow-up message.

So let’s go through those steps one by one, starting with how to prepare for a virtual interview.

STAGE 01:

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A REMOTE INTERVIEW

The first step is to think about what kind of interview you’re attending. With modern recruitment technology, there are lots of different ways to evaluate candidates, including:

LIVE, ONE-TO-ONE INTERVIEWS
LIVE GROUP INTERVIEWS
HYBRID INTERVIEWS

Where some people attend in person while others call in.

ANSWERING PRE-RECORDED QUESTIONS ON VIDEO
RECORDING A VIDEO CV TO SHOW OFF YOUR PRESENTATION SKILLS
LIVE CHAT INTERVIEWS, WITHOUT A VIDEO FEED
ONLINE SKILLS ASSESSMENTS
These may include a follow-up discussion.

You’ll need to prepare differently depending on the type of virtual interview.

For example, if you have a pre-recorded interview or a skills assessment coming up, then you’ll probably get some tips about which topics to prepare for. In a live interview, you’ll need to be ready to think on your feet. And if you’re asked to record a video CV, then you can practise a few times before you hit “record”. Next, think about when your interview is scheduled. Try to make sure that the virtual interview is set for a time when:

You’re in a quiet environment with no distractions.
For example, housemates have gone out to work or children are at school
You don’t have anything planned immediately before or after the interview.
So you don’t have to rush!
You’ve had time to eat and drink.
Being hungry or thirsty can affect your performance – you don’t want to be distracted by a rumbling stomach!
If possible, choose a time of day when you know your energy levels will be high.
For some people, this is first thing in the morning; others perk up in the afternoon.
Some remote jobs will involve time zone differences. If you’re interviewing with a company from another country, make sure that you know which time zone they’re using. Ideally, the meeting time should work comfortably for both you and the interviewer.

Now it’s time to do your research. This is what makes really good candidates stand out. Sure, you might have all the skills in the job description. But do you know what makes this job different? What are the company’s history, values, and top clients? What’s the latest topic on their blog? Do they have an email newsletter that you could read? And is there anything in the job description that you’d like to question, clarify, or discuss?

PUT STICKY NOTES AROUND THE COMPUTER WITH ANY KEY POINTS OR QUESTIONS YOU WANT TO COVER DURING THE INTERVIEW.

If you know who is going to interview you, then you can research them too. Search for the names on a professional platform such as LinkedIn to find out more about their experience and interests. Maybe you have a past employer in common, or you both grew up in the same town. You don’t need to get too personal with this research, but a little background information could help you connect with your interviewers.

You can also do a bit of research into yourself. That might sound strange, but in fact, it’s easy to forget what you’ve worked on over the years. Take a few minutes to read through your own CV and cover letter. Be ready to talk about everything that you mentioned, and think about how each point relates to the original job description.
Finally, it’s time to prepare your interview space. Try and do this the day before the interview, so that you have plenty of time to sort out any issues.

Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:

  • Check that your camera and microphone are working correctly.
  • Check that your wifi is working smoothly. If you’re having problems, try tethering your computer to your mobile phone to use a data connection instead. A frozen or time-lagged video call is frustrating for everyone.
  • Look at the feed from your camera. Is the lighting good? Can interviewers see your face? Try to use natural light or cool lighting, rather than warm dim lights.
  • Is the computer positioned so that you are looking into the camera at eye level?
  • Turn off any background noise such as fans or music. If you live on a busy street, close the windows so that you won’t be interrupted by the sound of cars and people going past.
  • Think about your background. You can show some personality, but make sure it isn’t too distracting. Check that the room is clean and tidy. Remove anything that’s too personal or political from the frame.
  • If you don’t feel comfortable letting interviewers see inside your home, you can use a virtual background. Some video platforms also have the option to blur the background slightly.

If you opt for a virtual background, then choose carefully. Recruiters and employers say that they prefer professional backgrounds – so choose the stock photo of office space over the Star Wars theme.

Because you’re at home, you can also add extra touches to help yourself feel relaxed and prepared.

Make sure that you have some water within easy reach. If you want to refer to the job description or your CV during the interview, then you can have them open as tabs on your computer. Some job candidates we spoke to also recommended putting sticky notes around the computer with any key points or questions you want to cover during the interview.

Having problems? It’s not the end of the world. If you have difficulty finding a quiet room or getting a decent internet connection, then try to let your interviewers know. They may well be sympathetic, or even offer to postpone the interview to a better time. But if you prepare for your virtual interview in advance, then you should be set up for a smooth experience.

 

People on a Video Meeting on a Laptop

 

STAGE 02:

DURING A REMOTE INTERVIEW

Even though the location and the set-up are different, a virtual interview is a lot like an in-person interview. You still need to show up on time, answer questions, and make a good impression. But there are some extra tips for remote interviews, too. Because you’re speaking over an internet connection, it can be harder to hear clearly. Try to speak up and, if you’re a fast talker, maybe even slow down a little so that the interviewer has time to hear and process your answers. Avoid covering your mouth with your hand, which makes it harder to read your expression and hear your words.

Just like in an in-person interview, good eye contact, posture, and a friendly smile can go a long way. You can create the impression of keeping eye contact by positioning your computer with the camera at eye level. Focus on the screen and try not to get distracted. A recent survey from VisualCV found that 80% of unsuccessful candidates in a video interview seemed distracted. Keeping your gaze on the screen is a way to show interviewers that you are interested and engaged.

According to recruiters, another big problem is candidates who seem to be reading from notes. It’s important to research and prepare, but avoid reading out answers or giving a speech that you’ve rehearsed. If you want to have notes, just write short reminders of key points rather than full sentences.

Finally, you want to avoid any red flags in the interview. Recruiters say that they avoid candidates who:

LIE ON THEIR APPLICATION OR DURING THE INTERVIEW.
TEXT ON THEIR PHONE DURING A VIDEO CALL.
SWEAR OR USE OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE.
DRESS INAPPROPRIATELY.
Yes, you’re at home – but at least make sure you’re wearing clean, smart clothes.

TALK NEGATIVELY ABOUT THEIR PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS.
JOIN THE INTERVIEW WITHOUT DOING ANY RESEARCH ABOUT THE JOB OR THE COMPANY.
As you can see, you don’t have to learn any fancy techniques or memorize a speech to ace your interview. If you’re on time, focused, polite, and interested, then you’ll get on well.

 

Woman on Laptop Video Call

 

STAGE 03:

FOLLOWING UP AFTER A REMOTE INTERVIEW

The interview’s over. You’ve answered all the questions and talked about your greatest strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully, it’s gone well. Now what? If you want to make a really good impression on an employer, follow up after the interview. This is especially important if you’re job hunting remotely because you’ve had fewer opportunities to connect with people in person. You missed out on the casual chat over coffee and the all-important handshake – but you can still make yourself memorable.

After the interview – ideally on the same working day – send a quick email or LinkedIn message to your interviewer. It doesn’t have to be long or eloquently expressed. Just send them a quick thanks for their time, and remind them of how excited you are about the job opportunity. If you discussed something in particular during the interview (for example, you told them about a project you worked on that seemed especially relevant), then you might send a link so they can follow it up.

Sending a quick thank you note has several benefits:

  • It makes you more memorable to the interviewer.
  • It shows that you have strong communication skills.
  • It opens the door to asking for feedback, even if your job application isn’t successful.
  • If you don’t get the job this time, the interviewer might keep you in mind for a future role.

If the interviewer didn’t say when they’d be in touch, this is also a chance to set expectations. Will you hear within the week? Will there be another round of interviews? If there are any questions that you forgot to ask during the interview, now’s your chance.

STARTING A NEW JOB AS A REMOTE WORKER

Starting a new job as a remote worker can feel like a bit of an anti-climax. You’re all ready to start a new chapter… but you’re still sitting at home, in the same chair, at the same desk. This is where onboarding comes in. A remote employer should do everything they can to make you feel enthusiastic, welcome, and confident in your new role. People working from home face specific challenges:

Because you’re not in a physical office, it can be harder to get to know your colleagues.
You’ll need remote support to get set up with email accounts, software, and access to key documents.
You’ll need to know where you can get information or advice if you run into problems.
When you work from home, it’s easy to lose track of your hours. A good remote employer will set clear expectations about how much you should work and how much flexibility you have in creating your routine.

In the next few sections, we’ll talk about what to expect from virtual onboarding; how to get on with your new co-workers; and what to do if something goes wrong.

 

Mac Sitting on Desk

 

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ONLINE ONBOARDING

Some remote jobs will still encourage you to come into the office for a few days while you get started. But as employers get used to remote work – and employees take up jobs at even greater distances – online onboarding is becoming the standard. That’s a good thing. It means that virtual onboarding is becoming a lot more streamlined. More companies are investing in onboarding software, which acts as a one-stop shop to sign paperwork, review training documents, and get reminders about essential tasks. Virtual onboarding usually includes:

CHECKING THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT HARDWARE TO DO YOUR JOB.

Many remote jobs will supply you with your computer, for example. If you have specific requirements, such as accessibility tech, they should support you with that too.

SETTING UP SOFTWARE AND REMOTE ACCESS.

As well as getting your account and passwords, you may also need training in new software or the standard processes for your job.

SETTING UP COMMUNICATIONS.

How does your new team communicate – email, video calls, instant chats? Some remote companies prefer to keep all communications on one platform, while others will use different platforms for different tasks.

GETTING TO KNOW THE TEAM.

Be prepared for a higher frequency of meetings than usual, at least for the first few days or weeks. Your line manager may want to check in each day or after you work on a new task for the first time.

However, according to VisualCV, only 12% of employees say their company is great at onboarding. You’ll need to be proactive about asking for help and getting in touch with colleagues.

Remote work means trading in some benefits (such as easy networking and a clear work/home division) for others (such as more flexible hours). It’s up to you to make sure you’re not missing out. If there’s anything that you’re having problems with, or you feel you’ve missed out on introductions to the team, speak up.

Some remote-focused companies will give you a mentor or a remote buddy to help you settle into the company culture. Even if there isn’t a formal scheme like this in your new job, try to identify a “point person” who will be your go-to for any questions.

HOW TO BUILD CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS

Many people love remote work for its independence. But especially at the start of a new job or project, you’ll need to connect with your co-workers for support, ideas, and advice.

You can help to build positive connections by being friendly and proactive.

  • Use quick communication channels like Slack or Discord to say hi and check in with people. Some teams will have dedicated channels set up for socializing outside of specific work discussions.
  • Include friendly greetings in your emails. This might seem like a basic point, but some people do write very short business-focused messages. It only takes a few extra seconds to be sociable.
  • Be ready to introduce yourself quickly on video calls – with a bit of personality! “I’m the new assistant, I’m based in Dundee and I like knitting in my spare time” is a lot more memorable and engaging than just saying “hello everyone”.

You could also ask if your company has any regular social calls scheduled. For example, some remote offices have a “morning fifteen minutes” where people dial in to drink coffee and chat before they start the day.

“At the last company I worked for, I appreciated having a daily 10-minute sync about what we were getting up to, as well as weekly coffee chats,” said one remote worker we spoke to. This is an easy way to get to know people outside your immediate team and pick up on the company culture.

Face-to-face meetings can also give you a chance to network, share ideas, and build more effective working relationships. These meet-ups don’t have to be frequent, but they are still an important part of a healthy remote team.

However, it’s worth remembering that people have good reasons for going remote: they may have responsibilities at home or live far from the office. If an employer is encouraging people to meet up in person, they should choose a time during working hours and offer travel expenses if required. That way, no one misses out.

WHAT TO DO IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG

However experienced you are, there will always be things to learn in a new job. And when you work remotely, it can seem harder to ask for help. Instead of just casually dropping past someone’s desk, you have to ring them up or write out a message. But you should never feel shy about asking for help. In a company with a strong remote work culture, you should be encouraged to get in touch whenever you need to. Right from the start, make sure you have contact details for your line manager and HR department, as well as information about when exactly they’re available. (This is especially important if they work on a flexible schedule or in a different time zone.)

 

Man on a Laptop Video Call

 

It’s better to collect this information now rather than scrambling to find it in an emergency. If you have a mentor or remote buddy, chat with them early on and find out how they prefer to communicate – a weekly call? Regular emails? Live chat? You can also look outside your new job for a support network. There’s a strong community of remote workers online who can cheer you on with advice and encouragement. Here are a few places to start:

  • Check out local Meetup groups to see if there are any remote work groups near you. They may run regular coffee mornings or co-working sessions. If there isn’t anything near you, why not start a group?
  • There may be remote working or work-from-home groups for your area on Facebook or LinkedIn.
  • Look for other remote workers in your location or industry on Twitter. Hashtags like #remotework and #wfh are a good place to start.
  • Join groups and newsletters for your industry. Even if you can’t meet up in person, you can still keep up with the latest news and network online.

With the right support system in place, you’ll be able to enjoy all the upsides of remote work.

Blog Credit – Claire Ross, Consultant | Researcher, Digital Content & Media https://www.s1jobs.com/resources/remote-working-guide/

Riveter Consulting Group
info@riveterconsulting.com
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