How to Succeed in a Virtual Interview

With the new scenario that the world is now facing, there have been many changes in our daily life, and remote recruitment is one of them.

 Before the current circumstances, many organizations had already implemented online interviews. In most cases, they were part of an application process, which finished with a face-to-face encounter. Today, the present situation requires a change of paradigms to limit personal interactions to the most. And what before was a piece in the puzzle, now becomes the leading part. 

How to get ready for a virtual interview

1. Technology. In virtual interviews, the first step to consider is technology. It is vital to have a good internet connection and a computer with a working camera, earphones, and a microphone.
2. Software and equipment. Beforehand, your interviewer will agree with you on the software and equipment you will need to communicate.
3. Personal documents. Keep your materials handy, but not many windows open because doing such a thing may delay the system response. Hand-written notes may help this purpose.
4. Attire. Dress accordingly. Messy hair or a wrinkled t-shirt will not help.
5. Interaction. Speak loud and clear. Maybe a little louder than usual. Practice in front of a camera, speaking slowly, clearly, and articulating well.
6. Behavior. Behave professionally and use the same body language you would use in a face-to-face interview, focusing on your facial expressions.
7. Follow-up. It is advisable to write a thank you note to your interviewer. Be short and concise, but seize this opportunity to mention your skills once again or something you forgot to say in the interview.

What apps are more popular

There are some popular apps for videoconferencing, such as Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Google Meet. Most times, you can access by merely typing the URL link and meeting code. However, study the differences. Maybe details can make your communication frustrating. For example, Hangouts allows chat messages in video meetings only by web, while Meet allows them through the mobile app, too.  Also, your interviewer may want to call you directly if you already have a user name, as in Skype.

If your interviewer wants to use a different app, like Webex or any other, make sure you familiarize yourself with it soon enough to minimize technical inconveniences.

Some tips that might help

• Test the equipment and connection with a friend or family member. If that is not possible, do it yourself with two different devices.
• Practice using the software to know how to solve some technical problems that may arise during the communication. 
• Find a quiet place, avoiding noise and other distractions as much as possible.
• Choose a professional background. A bookcase, for example, with good light.
• Keep a notebook next to you. It may be useful to take notes.
• Ask your interviewer for a back-up plan in case of some malfunctioning. Connection or software issues that you are not able to solve may arise. We have all experienced that sometimes. So agreeing on a phone call, using different software or device will also show your interest and a person who thinks in advance.

We all need to be prepared to face all kinds of new challenges that are emerging in these particular times. The sooner we cope with them, the better we will get adjusted and excel.