Worried about your online job interview? Follow these tips to ace it.
Without the formal handshake or sitting in the office, it can be daunting to impress your interviewer. Often companies prefer an online interview to save you the trouble of coming down to their office, especially if you are to relocate.
So, how do you impress your interviewer over a laptop screen? Follow the below tips to help your video interview go smoothly.
Choose the perfect interview spot
Paying attention to the background of your interview is absolutely crucial. If you have a sloppy bed or a cluttered home office, the interviewer is guaranteed to get distracted from the interview. Therefore, choose a neutral background to make a professional impression on the person on your screen. Additionally, pick a spot that has natural lighting instead of it being too dark.
Eliminate all kinds of distractions
Silence all distractions around you, including notifications from your computer and phone. However, it doesn’t stop there. You also need to make sure your kids and dogs are not in the background during your interview. Would you bring your dog or kid to an in-person interview? No. The same rule applies here.
Test everything
Before starting your interview, test the gear. Sign up on the service your interviewer will be using and get the hang of it. Make sure the camera can see you clearly, the audio is loud and clear, and test your ear buds too. Do this one day before your interview and repeat the testing right before your interview. The last thing you want is your audio or video not working while the interview is in progress.
Dress professionally for the camera
Even though you are not meeting your interviewer in a professional setting, it does not mean you need to dress casually. You need to make the first impression matter and dressing professionally is the way to that. Also, remember to smile and look straight at the camera without slouching. The interviewer is more likely to notice these smaller details during an online interview.
Practice for the interview
Use the video interview setting to role-play the interview with your friend. In an online setting, your movements, actions, facial expressions, and non-verbal clues are more apparent. Therefore, it is important to focus on the interviewer, smile, and look at the camera so the interviewer can see your eyes.
Keep these tips in mind and you will ace your video interview. Good luck!
