Between ever-changing pandemic guidelines and increasing comfortability with Zoom, Google Meet, and other tech, virtual interviewing is more popular than ever. If you’re looking for a job right now or expect to do so in the near future, you’ll likely be doing the interview process online.
And that means you’ll need to be prepared and polished so you can shine on that online platform you’ll be using.
Whether you’re new to virtual chat sessions or you’ve done plenty of Zoom calls, it takes practice and planning to shine in a job interview. To put your best foot forward and ensure you stand out as an ace in the interviewer’s mind, take these steps before, during and after the interview.
Remember, all the information in this blog post is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. I am not an attorney, nor do I provide legal advice. The information provided is my personal opinion and not that of any organization, business, company, agency or other individuals. The author is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this article. If you need specific legal advice, consult with an attorney who specializes in your subject matter. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website (www.hrraw.com), is strictly at your own risk.
January 27, 2021 | Penny Horton
Before the Interview
- Check your tech. Download the virtual call software or app ahead of time, and practice logging in. Check your Internet connection to ensure there’s no lag time. Practice with someone using the same platform to confirm audio and visual are working. To ensure proper lighting, run a test during the same time of day that the interview will take place.
- Prepare your surroundings. Make sure that wherever you’ll be for the interview looks and sounds business-appropriate. Turn on your camera and consider what you see, because the interviewer will see it too. Get rid of background clutter and any items that would be considered inappropriate. Make sure the space is quiet. Close the room’s door and hang a note that reminds everyone you’re on a call.
- Dress the part. An online call isn’t an excuse to dress down. Present yourself just as well as you would during an in-person interview. Pay attention to any instructions you receive, because interviewers will often tell you what they consider to be appropriate attire. If unsure, go with a business professional outfit.
- Log in early. Don’t risk a delay by waiting until the very last minute to fire up the computer. Get online a few minutes ahead of time so you’re there when the interviewer hops onto the call. And make sure computer is plugged in and/or fully charged.
- Do your research. It’s as essential as ever to be fully prepared to sell yourself for the job. Know what the position entails, and be informed about the company and the interviewer by studying:
- Know the job description inside and out – Figure out how your experience aligns with the position’s requirements. Be prepared to answer how you will help the company solve problems.
- Read the company’s “About” section on their website – Understand how they got their start, how long have they been in business, and important details like past mergers.
- Learn about their leadership – Know who the major players are — CEO, President, and other executives.
- Discover their core values – Know what the company values. Be ready to explain how your ethics align with theirs. Search for articles, interviews and press releases online to find this information, as core values are not always stated on a company’s general website.
- Understand their services and products – Learn what the company is known for doing and providing. Be able to talk about what they do, and how it aligns with who you are and what you do.
- Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn — Is there anything you have in common? Any mutual connections? How long have they been with the company? These details will help you to ease into the personal side of the conversation, and also provide an icebreaker if you need one.
During the Interview
- Start and end with courtesy. Start the call with a virtual handshake—a warm, conversational greeting. End with a thank0you and your appreciation of the time they gave you.
- Be mindful of how you present yourself. Avoid fidgeting or moving too much. Lean in and maintain an open facial expression to show you’re engaged. Speak clearly. Be aware of your tone and voice; you want to sound upbeat, alert, and interested. Don’t talk too fast (and breathe). Match the interviewer’s approach.
- Listen and take notes. Pay proper attention, and maintain eye contact just as you would in person. Don’t interrupt when the interviewer is speaking. Feel free to take notes—but let the interviewer know that’s what you’re doing.
- Use the STAR Method to answer interview questions. Many interview questions fall into two types:
- Behavioral questions that focus on past situations, and how you handled them.
- Situational questions that focus on hypothetical future scenarios, designed to discover how you would react or respond.
The STAR Method works for both types. To use it, explain a specific Situation you encountered that matches what you’re being asked about. Then cover the Task involved, the Action you took or would take, and the Result you received or expect to see. This gives the interviewer context and helps them see how you operate. Remember, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Give the interviewer specific examples of when you accomplished something similar to what they ask!
- Identify 12 career success stories you can share. These examples are great for answering almost any interview question. Be able to explain them in 60 seconds; you can always add details if the interviewer asks to know more.
- Have a list of questions to ask. Use the time at the end of the interview to make sure you have a firm understanding of every aspect of the job and the company itself. Some great questions to ask include:
- What does the typical day-to-day for this role look like? This tells you what to expect for your normal daily activities.
- What challenges should I expect to experience in this position within the first 60-90 days?This helps you understand the things you may be up against that might cause stress, so you are not blindsided later.
- What does the perfect candidate for this position look like to you? How do you line up with what they are looking for?
- What would you like to see from the person you hire in the first 30 days? This gives you knowledge of the expectations management will have.
- What will my first day on the job look like? This will help you manage any nervousness you might have when starting the job.
- What does success and failure look like in this role? You’ll learn what has worked and has not worked in the past.
- What would my work area look like? This lets you know if the space is something you can handle. For instance, not everyone does well in an open office atmosphere.
- What team members would my department be comprised of? You’ll find out how big or small your team will be, if others share your role, and how much you’ll need to collaborate or work autonomously.
After the Interview
Even though the style of interviewing is changing to meet stay-at-home guidelines and new technologies, some things never change. You still need to let interviewers know you really want the job, and leave them with a final impression of how perfect you are for their organization.
Do these things:
- Send a follow-up quickly. It’s perfectly fine to do this by email—but do it within 24 hours of the interview.
- Say thank you. Mention how much you appreciate their time and conversation.
- Mention something that helps you stay top of mind. This could be a reminder of something you have in common, a reference to something they said that you considered insightful, or a final success story that proves you’re great for the job.
- Share information. If you don’t receive an update within the promised time, consider sharing an article that refers to what you discussed during the interview. This shows you care about the company and the people who work there, not just getting hired.
Need Help Putting Your Best Foot Forward?
Whether you’re looking to see how you stack up against the competition, need help getting your resume to be noticed, or want help finding new career opportunities—Who’s Your HR? is here to assist you. Contact us to set up a free consultation about our Candidate and Job Seeker Services—and get that dream job you’ve been longing for.
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