The reality is, many of us are going to be doing interviews soon through a computer. A virtual interview can be very different from an in-person interview. With the upcoming recruiting season rapidly approaching, it’s important to start preparing now. Here are some tips to prepare for the next virtual interview you have!
Know the time zone
There is nothing worse than missing your interview time because of the time difference. When communicating the time of your interview, if there is no time zone specified, don’t automatically assume it’s in your time zone. Especially with larger companies, they have recruiters from all over the country. To be on the safe side, even if you see that they’re based in the same time zone as you, always ask to specify. It also shows that you’re proactive and pay attention to detail which can impress your interviewer even before your interview!
Be prepared
Do your research on the role that you’re interviewing for. Know who the company is, what they do, what their values are, and how they fit into their industry. Make sure you have specifics when they ask “why do you want this job”. Don’t just ramble on and on about your experiences, but tailor your answer specifically to the company and the role that you are interviewing for. Also, have a good idea of how you would benefit the company. Having an understanding of how your role fits into the bigger picture is important to highlight. If there are specific certifications that are recommended and you have those, bring that up during your interview. As much as this is them interviewing you, you should take this opportunity to interview them. Is this a company that you want to work for and have the potential for growth?
Know who you are interviewing with.
For a big company, you are likely going to be interviewing with a recruiter or HR rep for the first round, and could potentially have a second round with the manager you’ll be working with. For smaller companies, like a startup, there’s a chance you may be interviewing with the CEO/founder themselves. Knowing who you’ll be interviewing with allows you to be prepared and won’t get taken by surprise. And do a little bit of research on them. It would only benefit you if, say, you were interviewing with the CEO/founder, and you knew a little about their background and why they started the company.
Dress for success
Even though you’re at home, there is a certain level of professionalism to keep. Yes, the camera may only see the top half of you, but wearing a full interview outfit helps you stay focused. If you’re sitting there in your pajama bottoms, it’s easy to get comfortable and maybe even get distracted. Remember, you want your interview answers to be precise. And in the case of you having to stand up to close a door behind you or to grab a piece of paper, it would not reflect well on you if you’re wearing sweats. Save the casual portion of business casual for when you’re hired!
Follow up
After your interview, take a couple of minutes to reflect on what was discussed. Then write a quick email, thanking your interviewer for the time. In the email, spend a sentence touching on something that was talked about. This shows the interviewer that you paid attention, and value their time. Even if you don’t get the job, there is the possibility that you’ll interact with them in the future, and maintaining a good relationship is important.
Do you have any virtual interviews coming up soon? Make sure that you’re prepared with a good video tool. Check out some top tips for using a video conferencing tool here!
Opinions expressed by AsianBlurb contributors are their own.
Francisca Li (born 9/15/2001) is a student at the University of Texas at Dallas studying Business with a concentration in IT and Finance. She is a freelance graphic designer and branding expert as well as a co-founder of Orenda Change.
