As businesses continue to navigate through uncertain times, many have opted for virtual interviews for the foreseeable future. Although this concept may be new to many job seekers, it is important to remember that a virtual interview is just as formal as an on-site meeting. There are several ways in which you as a candidate, can best prepare yourself to put your best foot forward and create a positive first impression on that next potential employer.
I often see candidates make several mistakes when attending virtual interviews that immediately set a negative tone and increase their chances of rejection. We have compiled a list of 5 key elements to help you better prepare for your next virtual interview.
1. Test Your Equipment
Assuming that technology never fails is a risky trail to follow. As much as I would like to believe in the power of technology, we all, at some point or another, have faced issues with underperforming tech in the past. To ensure you are ready to go, test all of your equipment a minimum of one hour before your meeting. Ensure your mic, headphones, and video are all operating successfully. Once confirmed, check the platform used for any downloads that may be needed prior to joining the call. Ensuring all of your technology is set up successfully and in good working order eliminates the risk of jeopardizing your first impression with a late start.
2. Dress for Success
This I feel is by FAR one of the most important. It seems to be a growing trend that because interviews are taking place in your home, they don't follow the same dress code as an on-site meeting would. This assumption couldn't be any more wrong.
As many of us have been living in our sweat pants since the transition to remote work began, regardless of being home, appropriate attire still applies to a virtual interview setting. DO NOT wear that favorite isolation hoodie. Instead, opt for more professional attire such as a dress shirt or a blouse. Try to avoid any labeled attire and busy patterns. Stick to jewel tones to allow for correct color saturation against any harsh lighting setups. Dressing appropriately shows your employer you are prepared, polished, and allows them to focus on you and not your wardrobe.
3. Monitor your Body Language
This tip can be noted for both virtual and on-site interviews. Body language can say a lot about a person's engagement and interest level without them even realizing it. With the initial handshake taken out of the equation, there are several other factors to consider when sitting at home. Try to ensure you are consistently sitting up straight and not slouching, maintain eye contact throughout the call, avoid crossing your arms and don't forget to smile. Although interviews can be nerve-wracking, adding a smile shows an employer you are excited and engaged throughout the process.
4. Remove all Distractions
When interviewing in a home environment, we are often faced with distractions all around us. From pets to spouses working, from TV's to the downtown noise, we all have a few little things in which we can eliminate to ensure there are no interruptions. Turn off the TV that might be running in the background, silence your cell phone and close the window that lets in the sounds of the screeching sirens nearby. While we cannot prepare for EVERY distraction (parents will know what I'm talking about) we can still do our best to eliminate what we can.
5. Create Yourself a Set
Similar to your wardrobe, creating an optimal backdrop is key to ensuring the focus is entirely on you. If possible, try to set yourself up against a neutral wall or utilize a background feature that many of the platforms provide. This helps eliminate the distraction from the dirty pile of laundry that may be behind your back to you where the focus should be. Whatever you have available, try to keep your background surroundings as simple and neutral as possible.
With many employers shifting to a fully remote workforce, the demand for on-line interviews is becoming increasingly popular. It is important to maintain the utmost professionalism with each virtual meeting at all times. Following these simple 5 steps can ensure you are one step closer to creating the most positive first impression of yourself.
Hello and thank you for your tips. Yes, 100% agreed with you about our new way of communicating virtually, we are/have entering a new dimension, new unchartered roads. In reality ... "The only constant in our world is change". Being aware of change, responding according and forecasting the future is key to succus for an employee and an employer/business owner. I really am missing the "hand shake" meeting ( except for the super tight, too long and/or especially the dripping with sweat ones, kind of ew and awkward feeling) as that was a great way to "read" a person that you are about to deal with in a number of ways. Our new hand shake is as you said n…