Five Tips to Ace a Virtual Interview During The COVID19 Outbreak

It’s no surprise that almost everything is happening virtually in 2020 due to the social distancing norms. Companies throughout the globe have switched to remote work policy to curb the spread of COVID19 virus. Although a lot of companies have freezed hiring new resources, there are certain companies still hiring based on their business requirements. 

Almost all of the interviews happening during the COVID19 outbreak are being conducted online. Online interviews, or virtual interviews, are much different than in-person interviews. You have the luxury to interview from the comfort of your home, but at the same time you are responsible for making sure there are no shortcomings in your environment or setup.

The following tips will help you ace your virtual job interview:

  1. Organize your environment:

For virtual interviews, it is of paramount importance to remove all possible distractions from your environment. Look for a quiet space where there won’t be any background voices interrupting your conversations.

Since your body language isn’t visible entirely in a virtual interview, it may get difficult to engage the interviewer. To overcome this, pick a spot with a solid background and ample natural light so you are clearly visible.

  • Test the tech set up:

Once you have the location finalized, next comes the interview platform. For a virtual interview, you will be informed about the video conferencing software to be used beforehand. Make sure you have a laptop/desktop computer with a stable internet service. Verify the audio/video quality a day in advance to avoid any last minute complications.

Most video conferencing software are easy to use and have a user-friendly interface. Sign in to the pre-decided software and test the connection. Practise using the software so you know how to operate it and ask for help in case of any confusions.

  • Keep yourself updated:

To ace an interview, you must know everything possible about the company you are interviewing for. Your knowledge about its achievements and systems makes a great first impression. It is equally important to stay updated about all the advancements in your industry of work.

There are high chances that the interview may start with the question – “So what did you do during the pandemic?” In response, make sure you have skills and certifications to talk about in order to show you have been productive and made good use of your time.

  • Focus on listening:

As opposed to an in-person interview, a virtual interview requires a higher level of concentration to avoid any possible misunderstanding. Stay focused and listen actively to understand what exactly is being said before you start answering. Maintain eye contact and avoid saying anything randomly.

Sometimes, due to bad connection or a voice lag you may fail to interpret correctly what the interviewer has said. In such cases, politely convey the same and request them to repeat what was communicated.

  • Follow post interview etiquettes :

Most often than not, unforeseeable technical challenges occur during virtual interviews. Avoid stressing about it and apologize post the interview if it was from your end. Keep a list of important questions ready in case you are invited to put forward your concerns.

Make sure to thank the interviewer for their time before you end the call. It is highly unprofessional to start checking your phone as soon as the interview ends. Wait for the call to disconnect before engaging in any activity.

Conclusion:

Implementing the above mentioned tips successfully can go a long way as virtual interviews are going to stay relevant even after the pandemic is over. Keep working on presenting yourself in the best possible way virtually to make sure you stand out from the crowd and land the job you want.