Interviewing for a job has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic. Recruiters and jobseekers
are going to have to adapt to the new way of doing things. Although we have always been
taught how to conduct face-to-face interviews, we might lack knowledge regarding the tips
and tricks of conducting interviews in front of our cameras. Here are some tips for the online
interview process.
Make sure all the Technology is Working
Make sure the technology is working properly as the interview will not even get off the
ground if you have a dodgy internet connection or are not familiar with the necessary
programmes to communicate effectively with your potential employer. A virtual interview
requires tools like a camera and microphone on your computer, a software programme such
as Google Meets, MS Teams or Zoom and a reliable internet connection. Tip: At least a day
before your virtual interview check all of your technology to ensure it works effectively and
can be used to communicate effectively. In the 10 to 15 minutes before your interview check
your internet connection, sign into the meeting a few minutes early, and turn on the sound
and video to ensure everything is in working order in time for your conversation. Another tip:
Use the laptop/PC speaker and microphone or discreet wired headphones that have an
inbuilt microphone. Avoid Bluetooth headphones which can lose connectivity.
Set the Scene
Be conscious of your background. Try to choose a space that is clean and professional-looking so the interviewer can focus their attention on you and not what is around you. If you
don’t have a space like this you can also use a neutral virtual background. Place your
computer on a stable surface like a table or desk instead of your lap. You might sit the laptop
on a stack of books so that the camera is at face level to avoid unflattering angles. Make
sure the lighting is bright. Ensure there are no interruptions and your phone is on silent.
Ensure it is not noisy in the background even if this is hard to achieve if you live in a house
with family or flatmates. Noise will definitely add to the stress and may distract your
concentration. Set yourself up and be live online five minutes early.
Once you are all set up smile and try to relax. Remember the CV has done its job if you are
invited to interview, so it is an opportunity to expand on what you know or can bring to the
company. Bear in mind for most companies the interviewers are adapting as well to new
ways of working.
Dress to Impress
It takes about 7 seconds to make a first impression. As you cannot shake hands, the first
point of judgement becomes the way you are dressed, meaning that facade assumes a
higher value. You only need to frame your face and the upper part of your bust, so establish
that these parts are presentable.Dress the same formal way you would if it were a face-to-face interview. Do not wear striped clothing, as the lines might look moving all around your outfit. Remember this is the first impression an interviewer will get of you. The formality of a remote interview can actually
help you, as it not only makes you appear professional and excited about the opportunity,
but it will also help make you feel more prepared and confident.
Prepare Properly – Research the Company and Prepare Interview Questions
In much the same sense as a conventional interview, it is all about preparation. It is
important to know the role requirements, research the company, and be clear on the value
that you would bring to the role.
Re/ interview questions - It will be important to anticipate the sort of questions you might be
asked so you can prepare answers. There are many sample interview questions available
online, so you should gather a bank of interview questions for yourself. Use the STAR
framework to answer competency-based questions [see our Guide to Competency-based
Interview Questions]. Preparing for interviews in this manner will give you confidence and
help to alleviate nerves. Do not rely on a written script or post-its pinned around your screen
that you can read from directly. Prepare so that you are able to have a natural conversation
without clicking around or reading directly from paper, which can seem rehearsed and
unnatural.
Tip: Practice your answers. Do some practice calls via Skype or Zoom with friends and
family, and get feedback in relation to your eye contact, body language and audio. Some
topical questions you might consider preparing answers for include how you handle your
work-life balance in a pandemic. What’s your work-from-home set-up like? Have you learnt
any new skills in the past couple of months? You could talk about new hobbies you have
picked up rather than focusing just on professional qualifications. Another tip: Keep a log of
any questions which come up in interviews so you can use this information to prepare for the
next one
Be Prepared to Ask Topical Questions
Prepare a couple of questions of your own to show you are engaged with the ethos of the
Company as well as having a healthy curiosity as to how it all works. You could enquire
about how the Company has changed since the pandemic struck. What have they learned
as managers from the crisis, and how do they manage their teams? What are the strategic
priorities of the organisation, and have these changed due to the crisis? How does the role
you are applying for help in achieving them? You could ask the interviewer what the
Company does for its employees, and how it supports them. How do they ensure employees
are able to work in an adaptable and agile way in the future? What is their management
style when leading hybrid teams, and how do they ensure the organisational culture is
maintained when working in a hybrid way?