Welcome to part 2 of our two-part series, Eight Steps to Crush Your Virtual Interview. Yesterday, we shared part one of this short series. So although I don’t post often on the weekend; I did not want you to wait another week for the remaining eight steps to your virtual interview success to be released. So, we’re rounding out the series for you today.
Number one of today’s eight steps
- Prepare your family and house mates. Let them know that you have a big interview coming up and will need things to be quiet. Give them the date and time of your appointment and let them know where you will take your meeting. If possible get someone to watch underaged children and pets. Or, offer an older sibling to keep their younger brothers/sisters entertained and quiet with their favorite movie, video, game, or other fun, quiet activity. Encourage the little ones to obey their big brother or sister. Make a contest with the promise of a treat for the little one who does the best job of keeping quiet during your meeting. If possible, put pets in a separate room with the door closed while you interview. Check out Pace Staffing’s 5 Step Pre Virtual Interview Checklist for more tips.
- On interview day, remind your family/house mates that your big day has arrived. Remind them of your meeting time and the importance of keeping things quiet. Wear the same attire for your virtual interview that you’d wear to an in-person interview. Arrive at your desk at least five minutes prior to your scheduled meeting time to accept the call. Have a pen and paper nearby to take notes, and a bottle of water to sip, if necessary.
- During your interview, lock the door to your meeting space, if possible, to avoid unexpected visitors. This will help you to remain poised and not on edge as you think about the possibility of someone barging in during your meeting. If it does happen, quickly apologize to the interviewer and continue with your meeting even if your little one is still on camera. This will show your ability to perform well under stressful circumstances. It will likely a move up on the list of final candidates. Also garner your quite a few brownie points with the interviewer and Worse things have happened than having a child or pet “join” you for your interview.
- Look into the camera instead of the screen to establish eye contact and smile. Believe it or not, the interviewer will be able to sense your warmth and approachable nature through the camera.
- Use correct grammar and be your authentic self. For more tips on this point, you will likely find Harvard Business School’s virtual interview tips a helpful read.
- Speak confidently and clearly, but naturally. There’s no need to yell. If your computer equipment and microphone are working well, you will be in good shape. You want your responses to be clearly understood.
- Be expressive to convey high energy during the meeting. It’s fine to use gestures such as hand movements when responding to questions.
- Follow up. Always say thank you after your interview within twenty-four hours. This is also an excellent time to either remind the interviewer of some of your strongest job-related qualifications or to mention a qualification that you forgot to mention during the meeting. Northeastern University offers some great advice on keeping your virtual identity professional as well as the proper follow up after a virtual interview.
Now you’re all set to take the stage during your next virtual interview. Repeat these steps and those in part 1 as necessary at each stage of the interview process to land your new job.
As always, Career Search Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!
