In-person interviews are a thing of the past — prospective employees need to adjust accordingly. The pandemic has changed the way we do practically everything these days and being able to adapt to a digital interface to connect with people outside your home is key.
Most companies hiring new people have been using the video conference application Zoom to conduct interviews. There is some crossover between what can make a good impression if you were meeting your potential new boss in-person at their office or over Zoom. Some examples that come to mind are wearing professional attire and displaying active listening skills by nodding, smiling and making eye contact throughout the interview.
However, in a remote interview, there may be things you haven’t considered as important before. These are 7 things that will make you appear to be the most qualified candidate for the position and land the role — even if you’re interviewing virtually.
1. Choose a professional background
When you’re setting up your laptop before you hop on that conference call to start your interview make sure the space behind you looks as professional as possible. The first thing to do is to ensure your background is spotless and clutter-free. Interviewers recommend setting yourself up in front of a blank wall with a few refined decorations, houseplants, or tasteful tapestry. Conducting your interview in front of a tidy space with sparse accent pieces gives the impression that you are an organized employee who pays attention to detail.
2. Stow your phone away and put it on silent
Make sure your phone is out of sight and out of mind for the entire duration of the interview. This is a great tip for 2 reasons. The first reason being that the person interviewing you can hear notifications on your phone going off which can give the impression that you’re not fully invested in the new position you applied for. The second reason is that having your phone near you when you get a text or call can be a huge distraction and derail your focus in the interview. It’s also recommended you put your phone away an hour before the interview so you can have a clear mind to put together talking points or go over your resume beforehand. Giving yourself ample time to prepare beforehand is key to wowing your future employer.
3. Charge your laptop
It is imperative you have a fully charged laptop before your interview. There’s nothing worse than being halfway into an interview that is going extremely well only to be sabotaged by your laptop dying in the middle of proceedings. Just to be on the safe side position your laptop near an outlet so that it can remain plugged in during lengthy discussions.
4. Install software updates beforehand
Before the big day, another tip to ensure your interview goes as smoothly as possible is to install any software updates on your computer in advance. It would be a shame if you accidentally clicked yes on a system update and your computer restarts mid-interview. This could thwart your chance for gainful employment. It’s also advised you have the latest version of Zoom installed to avoid bugs that might interrupt an otherwise great interview. In a digital world, it’s on you to take the steps necessary to have the amazing teleconferencing tools work towards your advantage.
5. Test your internet connection
Doing a test run of your broadband internet speed is another important step to take in preparing for a killer interview. One way to do this is by holding a mock interview with a friend to make sure there are no delays on your end. It’s a good idea to hold this mock interview where you would set up for the real one to test that the WiFi connection in that room reaches your device. A strong internet connection will help you avoid missing any important questions the interviewer shoots your way and no one will awkwardly talk over each other.
6. Give your roommates a heads up
In a world gone primarily remote, it’s a safe bet that you’ll have other people around the day you hold your interview. Let everyone in your living quarters know the day and time of any upcoming interviews so they remain mindful of their noise level for the duration of your video call. It’s a good idea to tell them which room you’ll be holding this meeting so they don’t accidentally walk into the living room where your laptop is set up. If you live with small children that may not get the memo to use their inside voice make sure you know how to utilize the mute button on Zoom to cancel out background noise or go to a room with a door that locks behind you.
7. Close out of all other tabs open on your computer
During the interview it’s most likely you’ll use the share screen option to go over your resume, qualifications for the position, or the mission statement of the company you applied for. Closing out non relevant tabs such as social media sites and streaming video services such as YouTube or Netflix will improve the quality of your Zoom call as well. Not having these sites open can also prevent other video and audio clips from abruptly playing in the background. You’ll appear far more professional and prepared without these potential distractions popping up unexpectedly.
I hope these tips will help successfully guide you in your next interview.
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