How to Prepare and Ace Your Virtual Interview

By Erica Haims

Thanks to the pandemic, video interviews have become commonplace, and as a result our homes have become film sets. By their very nature, interviews were already stressful and intimidating. But virtual interviews come with their own set of unique challenges. How will I look on camera? What if my wifi fails? How do I prevent my dog from barking? The good news is, everyone can present their best selves over video with a little preparation. Here are some tips on how to get ready for your virtual job interview. Lights, camera, action!

Set the Scene for Your Interview

Try thinking about your home as you would a Hollywood backdrop. That may sound strange at first, but you truly are setting a scene that is part of the impression you’ll make during your interview. You want your background to never distract from the “star,” which is YOU! Choose a background that is professional and potentially reflects your personality. Perhaps in front of a bookcase with a few neatly arranged books, awards, and picture frames, or a wall with a gallery style array of non-distracting artwork.

If the only area you have is your bedroom, then either angle yourself so that your bed is not visible or find out if the technology you’ll be using enables you to upload a background photo that is more appropriate. 

Don’t forget about the lighting. Investing in a ring light is a great addition to brighten up your face. Avoid casting shadows on your face that make it look like you’re in a witness protection program. If that’s happening, it’s probably because you have a light source coming from behind you so choose a slightly different angle.

Additionally, sit on a desk or dining chair at a desk, preferably. If you don’t have a desk, sit at a table with a similar height. Do not sit on your sofa or bed, and do not set your computer on your lap. Even if you don’t think it’s obvious, it can affect your posture and make you look less serious about the opportunity. 

Is Everything In Working Order?

It’s a great idea to make sure your technology is ready prior to your meeting. You will want to make sure that everything from your computer to your video platform is in tip-top shape. It’s best to use a desktop or laptop for the call. The phone doesn’t really give you enough space for a professional meeting, and you want your hands free for taking notes. Check to see that your computer is charged and your wi-fi connection is strong. 

It’s also a great idea to keep your desktop as clutter-free as possible, just in case you need to share your screen. You wouldn’t want to see someone’s messy office, it’s the same with your virtual meeting. Turn off all of your pesky pop-up notifications that could possibly interrupt your call, including any chat or text applications. Even if you don’t share your screen, you don’t want to be distracted by a text from your sister or best friend when you’re answering a serious question that could impact whether or not you’re offered a second interview (or the job).  

Make sure you test your webcam well before your interview. You want to check the light, how your background looks, and how you appear on camera. Then you can make any necessary adjustments based on what you discover. 

It’s also important to check your audio to ensure your mic and speakers are working. Ask a friend to do an AV test with you the day before your interview to make sure everything works. This gives you time to troubleshoot any issues.  

Minimize Distractions

Reduce the risk of a mishap by setting the stage for a meeting with no interruptions. Let your household know that you are having an important meeting and will need some space and quiet surroundings. If you’re able to close the door of the room you’re in off to the rest of your home, do so and hang a sign that reminds people not to disturb you. Turn off your phone and any other devices with alert functionality. 

Don’t Sweat the Guest Appearances

Even the best laid plans can go awry. It’s possible that a pesky child or pet could steal the scene despite your effort to take every precaution possible. We are all human and real life has a way of creeping up on us. If something unexpected happens, the important thing is to stay relaxed. Acknowledge the intruder and apologize for the intrusion. If you try to ignore the situation, it will only add anxiety and become a distraction to your interviewer and to you. Your interviewer will understand as you brush your cat out of the room or shoo away your spouse. This is actually a great opportunity to show your future employer how you are able to remain calm and quickly refocus on the task at hand. 

Dress for Less...Distraction 

You should dress up for your virtual interview as if it was in an office setting. Wear the same outfit you would wear if you were meeting someone in person. Don’t forget pants! Even though our legs may not be viewable, dress in a way that makes you feel professional. Besides, if for some reason you need to stand up, you don’t want to ruin the facade. Neutral colors and neat hair is recommended. Again, the theme here is to remove anything that might take the interviewer’s attention away from you. You may want to rethink anything flashy like crazy patterns or clunky jewelry, although basic accessories can dress up a simple shirt. 

Be Prepared

As usual, once you’ve scheduled an interview, you should begin researching the position’s requirements, the organization, and thinking about how your past schooling or experience applies. 

The best part of virtual interviewing is being able to have your notes handy without being obvious. So after you’ve done your research, written your elevator speech, figured out how to best position your achievements, and come up with a few questions to ask, add all your notes to a document that you can reference while you’re on the call. Position the document on your screen so you can easily reference it, but don’t read it. Create bullet points you can refer to as needed.

Maintain Your Focus 

During your interview, consistently make eye contact as you would if you were meeting in person. Lean in some when you’re speaking to let the interviewer know that you are interested in the conversation. It is ok to check your written notes from time to time, or take notes during your meeting, but do not multitask. This is not the time to check your emails or sports scores. Your goal should be to remain engaged throughout the entirety of the conversation even if the interviewer is a talker. That includes thinking about your body language too. Give signals that show you’re listening like nodding when you agree with what’s being said. Sit up straight and, of course, remember to smile!

You Got This! 

Now that you have secured a quiet space, removed any unwanted distractions, created notes, and tested your equipment, you’re ready to go. What else is left to do? Take a few deep breaths and log on early - at least a few minutes before the interview is scheduled to start. Most likely you’ll be waiting in a virtual waiting room, but it’s best to be there ahead of time just in case you run into a technical difficulty. 

Even though meeting virtually is not ideal, you can still put your best foot forward and prove you are the best candidate for the opportunity and deserve to move to the next step in the hiring process.