In a COVID world, the virtual interview is common. Here are some tips to master the process.

In the midst of the pandemic, my work hours were reduced to part-time. It rocked my world. With a mortgage, bills, and two littles that working part-time didn’t fly, so I had to start looking for a job. It was a tumultuous process – searching, doing research, updating my resume and cover letter – it was tiring. In six months that I was looking for a job, I had roughly 15-20 interviews – all done virtually. It was strange to go about the interview process via my laptop so it took some time to master but eventually I got used to it. Today I thought I would share my tips for mastering the virtual interview.

4 Tips to Kill Your Virtual Interview

Double Check, Triple Check, Quadruple Check Your Technology

Avoid any potential technical difficulties by testing your equipment before each and every interview. Give yourself at least an hour cushion to test your PC/laptop just incase you need to call technical support. You want to avoid grainy visuals or crappy audio, so make sure you’re good to go. And don’t forget to check your internet connection!

Dress the Part

Dress for a virtual interview the same way you would for an in-person interview, and if you’re unsure what to wear don’t hesitate to ask the recruiter. Personally, for each and every interview I had, I dressed head-to-toe ready this way I felt more confident.

Prepare

Just like an in-person interview, do you’re homework. Study the company site and understand what the company does, its mission statement, and even get familiar with their clients. This way, you can reference what you learn and wow the interviewer.

Stage Your Interview Area

First thing’s first – if at all possible, sit in front of a window for optimal light without shadows. Next, make sure the background of your video is tidy. No messy background, friends. You’ll also want to consider a background that is against an empty wall so that you’re the main focal point.

Ask Questions

Never leave an interview without asking questions. A few examples are:

• Who’s the ideal candidate for this role?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• How quickly are you looking to fill this position?
• What are the next steps?