You have an interview soon and need some tips and tricks to help you prepare and ace that video interview? Here are my 10 online interview tips!
10 online interview tips!
1. First impressions matter, act professionally!
What does this mean? Always be polite, smile, make eye contact, and tell the interviewer it is a pleasure to meet them.
This shows the interviewer that you’re taking the online interview seriously, and you come across more polite and respectful; qualities all employers look for.
2. Dress the part!
You wouldn’t wear your pajamas to an in-person interview, would you? It’s important to dress professionally, especially online where impressions are more important.
For most interviews, wear business formal unless stated otherwise. For some tech companies/start-ups, it is acceptable to dress a little more casual. This means to drop the jacket and the tie, not your old high school football jersey!
3. Be in an appropriate setting!
Nothing looks worse for an interviewer when they see a Budweiser flag hanging on the wall with dirty laundry on the floor. Make sure it is a professional setting, preferably at a home office for example, but a neutral background such as white walls are also appropriate.
It’s just important to make sure your background is more or less neutral and looks professional for an interview.
4. Make sure there is no background noise!
Have you participated in online classes and the professors dog starts barking in the background? It sounds unprofessional right? Make sure this isn’t you!
Conduct the online interview in a quiet room. That means: make sure your mom isn’t hoovering or your young sibling isn’t knocking on the door demanding attention!
Related posts:
5. Be Prepared!
Know what online service the interview is on and test this service to make sure everything is installed.
The last thing you want to do is be late because you had to install zoom. And no, you can’t use traffic as an excuse for an online interview. Furthermore, you want to come across as competent with technology.
6. Don’t use your phone!
Don’t make the mistake and use your phone for the interview. It comes across as unprofessional, the screen is small, and the camera can be shakier.
Use a laptop or desktop preferably, this is much more professional, can provide a better image and no one has no excuse for not having access to one in 2020.
7. Make sure you have a stable WiFi connection and talk clearly!
Ok so sometimes your WiFi connection cannot be controlled, but if you know your connection is stronger in the bedroom than the kitchen, do the interview in the bedroom.
The interviewer needs to hear and see you properly for you to be considered for the position.
It can be more difficult to understand people online, so make sure you talk slowly and clearly. If you do have WiFi problems, try to resolve the issue, apologize to the interviewer, and worst-case scenario, ask the interviewer politely to reschedule the interview.
8. Body language is still important!
Sit up straight, don’t fidget on anything and keep your phone out of the room! You don’t want any distractions.
Again, maintain eye contact and make sure your hands are on your lap or by your side, definitely no biting nails!
Furthermore, when you are talking, remember to look into the camera, not just the screen.
9. Have notes nearby!
The advantage of an online interview? Your cheat sheet!
Have notes prepared and ready, this would include bullet points on how you’ll answer a question and background information on the company for example.
Just remember, don’t make it obvious, don’t look away from the screen for too long, and make sure you don’t hold your cheat sheet so it can be seen by the interviewer.
10. TREAT IT LIKE A NORMAL INTERVIEW
This means, do everything you would at an in-person interview. Research the company and be prepared to answer questions like you usually would! Just because it seems more casual to you doesn’t mean it is.
Nothing changes, so remember to be polite, answer questions the best you can, have a few questions prepared and I am sure you will smash it!
Related posts:
These are my 10 online interview tips for a successful video interview! I hope the tips help you ace it and get that job or internship!
Until soon,
Leave a Reply