As our world continues to move toward more digital interactions during the interview process, it’s important to make sure you are prepared for digital interviews. Even the first interview may not be a phone call but rather be on Zoom, Google Meet, or a proprietary software the company/recruiter uses.
Here are several tips to help you ace an online interview.
- Find out what technology the company will use for the interview. Remember, it could be Skype, Zoom, or any number of video-conferencing tools. Make sure you have it downloaded and ready to go before your interview.
- Test your equipment beforehand to make sure everything’s working properly. A stable wireless connection is essential and make sure you have enough battery power.
- Choose a location that’s quiet and will be away from family activity and put the dog in another room. Check out your background and avoid windows and cluttered walls full of pictures, posters, or knickknacks.
- Position the camera so that you are looking up slightly at the camera. You may need to prop it on a few books to achieve this.
- The right lighting is important. Ideally, the most flattering arrangement is to have two lights in front of you and one behind you. If that’s not feasible, place one light in front of you and somewhat above.
- To look your best on camera, wear muted colors and avoid bright colors and patterns.
- Do a dry run. Coordinate with a friend or your ECP career strategist to do a practice interview to make sure you are comfortable connecting to the call and that your equipment works.
- Have your resume, questions to ask the interviewer, and other documents in front of you.
- Don’t sit in a swivel chair and limit hand gestures and fidgeting as much as possible.
- Look at the camera and not the computer screen when answering. Just as you want to show eye contact during an in-person interview, the same applies with an online interview. However, with an online interview, your tendency is to look at the interviewer on your screen. When you speak, look into the webcam and you will have eye contact with the interviewer. When listening, you can look at the screen.
