Online interviewing is a great way for employers to connect with candidates they can’t meet with in person. Thanks to technology, there’s no reason for interviewing to be put on hold.
Whether you are embarking on a new job search or continuing one you started before COVID-19, you’ll need to prepare for an online interview.
Whatever ideas you have about online interviewing, don’t just wing it. An online interview via Zoom or another meeting app is very different from one that occurs in person.
Of course, the standard preparations still apply and make sure you:
- Do your research on the company and your interviewer,
- Stay away from questions about salary and benefits (until a later interview) and
- Prepare at least three questions to show your interest.
Once you’ve checked off these items, follow the five tips below to help you shine online.
1] Knock the kinks out before you check-in
Test your login instructions with your device the night before your interview. Login at least 30 minutes before your interview, if possible.
Make sure you check your camera position (to eye level) and microphone. From the waist up, make sure you are professionally dressed in solid colors that are not too bright or busy. You should also be cautious with white as it might wash you out.
2] Consider your reception
If you have a bad internet connection in your house, consider using your cell phone or sitting as close as possible to your router. The cell phone will also allow more privacy and you don’t have to worry as much with the background. If you decide to use your cell phone, make sure you can use it hands-free.
3] Choose a quiet, well-lit location
Since you’re testing everything in advance, play around with putting a small amount of light in front of you. Find a private place that you can sit and take notes if needed.
A plain background is best. If you don’t have one, consider a simple virtual background that may be included in the
meeting app settings. Have your questions, resume, and pen and paper close when you are ready to start your interview.
4] Get ready to shine
You won’t have the advantage of meeting the interviewer in person, so you need to wow him or her. Prepare 5 -7 STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories of how you saved the day at work—solved a difficult problem, implemented something new, saved money, etc. When the interviewer asks you a question, plug-in a story.
Stories are memorable.
Make the story relevant to the question, and show the interviewer how you added value. Avoid droning on and on about basic job functions. All your basic information is on your resume.
5] Go the extra mile to close well
End your interview with a smile and appreciation. When the interviewer is getting ready to close, be sure to thank him or her for their time. After the interview is complete, jot down some significant things you learned about the company.
Write a short follow-up email thanking the interviewer for his or her time; tell why you are the best person for the job, and remind them of one of your stories that fit a current need in their company. With your words, SHOW how you can fill that need.
Just because we are sheltering in place it doesn’t mean that companies are not hiring. Online interviewing is a crucial tool to keep employers and candidates connected. Don’t let the absence of a face-to-face meeting lower your guard. Online interviewing gives you the comfort of interviewing from home, but preparation is a must.
The much-awaited call or email for an interview may come when you least expect it.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be set to nail your interview and move on to the next steps for an offer.
