Organizations are beginning to have a re-orientation about the way they carry out corporate activities. Different modes of operation among businesses and corporate firms are gradually taking a U-turn from the conventional physical operations to virtual engagements. Due to the seeming emergence of new ways of hiring and recruiting talents, it’s important for all job seekers to learn how to prepare for a virtual interview.
Employers are now subscribing to virtual interviews whilst taking advantage of platforms such as Skype, zoom etc. to bring on board the best minds to their organizations. In an earlier post, we covered some of the worst mistakes that job seekers make and how to avoid them. In this post, we present helpful guidelines on how to prepare for a virtual interview based on what we learnt from career consultant -Kristy Bonner.
We divided the guidelines into two segments; one part covers what you should do before the interview and the other covers what you should do during the interview. Before you kick out on the virtual interview with your employer, it’s paramount you have some of these guidelines in check.
1. Research on the Company
It’s important that you do some research on the company you are applying to before you start any interview. It’s important because, you need to have an in-depth knowledge of the company ( what they do, who they are, vision, core values, background etc.). Your knowledge of the company will come in handy during the interview; it’ll stand to show that your are knowledgeable about the company and their modes of operations.
2. Review your CV/Resume and its Contents
Your CV/Resume is the very first impression you have with your employer and the need to review its content is of the essence. Make it a habit to always revisit what you have written in your CV; interviewers could ask you questions based on what you have written on your CV.
For your CV/Resume review , you can reach out to us.
3. Understand Your Maximum Contribution to the Company
Know the value and solutions you’ll be bringing to the company if you are given the job. The best way to know this, is to know the effective and efficient solution present to other companies in the same industry. If you know the solutions available to other companies in the same industry, you can now find out where the company you want to join is lacking and present a solution. This would spurn from a good research on the company.
4. Practice Behavioral Questions
You can go ahead to rehearse possible questions online and build your confidence before the virtual interview.
Finally as a starter pack on how to prepare for a home interview, you should ensure that all gadgets and devices are fully charged.
Below are useful tips to keep at heart when engaging in virtual interviews with your employer.
See also: 10 jobs that twill be on high demand post Covid-19
1. Test Your Audio and Camera
Checking your audio and visual connections is essential on how to prepare for virtual interviews . You don’t want a scenario where you will be saying a lot of intellectual stuffs and addressing relevant concerns that the your employers will be interested in but the employer won’t hear a thing from the beautiful points you’ve made.
Ensure you check your camera (whether you’re using an external camera or that of your laptop) and check your mic, if you are using an external mic too.
2. Elevate Your Laptop to Avoid Staring Down at Your Camera
place your laptop in such a way that your lower shoulders at least are visible and you can maintain good eye contact with your interviewer.
3. Dress Professionally
On how to prepare for home interviews, dressing professionally is key as this would help your composure, charisma and general confidence during the interview. It would also send the right first professional impression to your interviewer
4. Position Yourself on a Table, Against a Plain, Neutral Background
This would help your camera remain static and focus on you during the interview. You don’t want your camera wobbling during the interview. Keep your background plain and neutral for strictly professional basis.
5. Check the Lighting of the Room
You don’t want your interviewer struggling to see you during the interview, so keep the room well lightened for good visual quality during the interview.
6. Close All Other Applications on your Laptop
This would help prevent any form of interruption likely to occur due to probable hanging of your laptop. This might help your laptop run smoothly during the interview.
7. Silence Your Phone and Disable Vibration
You should keep distractions at the most minimal to eliminate distractions during the interview. You don’t want your interviewer hearing buzzing sounds at his/her end during the interview.
8. Have a Copy of Your CV at Hand
You should have your CV handy during the interview in case the interviewer makes reference to it during the interview.
9. Attach Post-its Around the Laptop Screen With Prompts + Questions You Wish to Ask the Interviewer
You should use sticky notes on your laptops screens as reminders on possible stuffs you’d wish to talk to your interviewer about and possible questions you may wish to ask during the interview just so you don’t forget.
10. Exclude Kids, Pets etc. From the Room for the Duration of the Interview
This would help send a professional ambience during your interview to your interviewer and also reduce possible distractions during the interview.
11. Have a Pen and Paper at Hand
You should keep a pen and paper handy to take notes during the course of the interview; for reference purposes and to enable you proffer better responses to questions from the interviewer.
12. Have a Glass of Water Next to You
The interview might take a couple of minutes and you might be dehydrated during this period, so you should keep a glass of water within your reach to rehydrate.
13. Have the Phone Number of the Interviewer in Case the Video Connection is Lost
Network fluctuations amidst other factors may interrupt the video connection before the interview ends. Therefore, it’s best you keep handy the phone number of your interviewer so you can reach out when the connection is lost.
Finally after the virtual interview preferably within hours after the interview, send a “Thank you” e-mail to your interviewer. this is an excellent perception of your work ethics to your employer.
Hope you learnt something from this post? If you did, tell us in the comment section. You can also suggest any topic you would like us to cover in our next blog post.
Question of the day: What is the future of work post covid-19?
Compiled by: Progress Felix
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Reference: Kristy Bonner on LinkedIn
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