One interesting shift that the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced is the move to online job interviews. The Managing Director of recruitment agency Randstand, Ms Jaya Dass, notes that there are fewer face-to-face interviews in 2020, due to the restrictions imposed by the government. A survey by LinkedIn in 2020 reported that 81% of talent professionals agree that virtual recruiting will continue even after Covid-19, and 70% think virtual recruiting will become the new norm.
As you receive more online job interviews, it’s imperative that you know exactly what to do to ace that interview. Like any other interview, being prepared is key. That said, an online job interview, whether it’s on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Hangouts, requires you to pay attention to areas you may not have considered before in a physical interview.
Test Your Technology
Before your video call, be sure to familiarise yourself with the teleconferencing software. For instance, Zoom and Microsoft Teams may have the mute button in different places. By video-calling a friend or family member beforehand, you can test out the technology and iron out any uncertainties you may have. Being unsure of the technology is akin to arriving at a physical interview late. It’s also a good idea to test the audio and video out, as well as link up to a strong internet connection to prevent any glitching that may occur.
Set Up a Professional-looking Background
Unlike physical interviews, online ones give the hiring managers a look into your bedroom or living room. Having a professional looking background is not only common advice, but very essential to your success. An untidy room, insensitive or graphic posters, and bad lighting can cost you the opportunity.
What you want to aim for is natural lighting, a well-positioned camera angle, and an uncluttered background. Virtual backgrounds with minimalist tones can be good, but they can sometimes be tricky if they don’t sync well with your image. Finally, it’s absolutely essential that you dress the part as well. Take notes on how to dress suitably for your virtual interviews and on interview techniques from PSB Academy’s career services engagement team.
Eliminate Distractions
Putting your phone in silent mode is expected during a face-to-face interview, but you should go further than that for your online job interview.
Applications such as Skype, Slack, Facebook, Instagram, and Gmail can push notifications that echo sounds and pop-ups, essentially causing disturbances during your interview. Instead of just muting them, go ahead and quit these applications so that you can focus your attention on the interviewer. Having numerous pop-ups can put off interviewers, a move you want to avoid at all costs.
Likewise, close your room door and reduce any potential offline distractions that could be caused by children running around or pets moving in the background.
Maintain Eye Contact
It’s very common and natural to be observing your own image on a video call. However, as tempting as that may be, it’s best you maintain eye contact with the interviewer by looking directly into the camera, just as you would in a face-to-face interview.
One easy way to do this is to position the call window as close to the camera as you can. You can also turn off the self-view option once you’ve adjusted the necessary, so that the mirror image of yours doesn’t impede your ability to send positive body language signals virtually. Virtual interviews require more effort to demonstrate personality and body language signals, so be sure to do all that you can to come across personable and genuine.
Prepare Your Documents Early
Forgetting your resume or portfolio in a physical interview is a major faux pas. That said, there is no excuse for not having your necessary documents ready for screen sharing or reference in an online job interview. Have your resume, portfolio, and interview notes open on your desktop prior to joining the video call so that you don’t waste precious time looking for them during the interview itself.
Find Success With Ample Preparation
An online job interview can be just as nerve-racking as a physical one. However, these tips will help you ace that video call easily. At PSB Academy, we provide our students with essential life skills such as these and offer an all-rounded education that will serve them well beyond their years in university as they go out into the real world.
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