Virtual interviews became a common practice听over听the past year,听and it looks like this trend won鈥檛 be going away any听time soon. To increase your chances of being successful in a virtual interview, follow these eight guidelines.听
Update Contact Information听
Prior to submitting your resume,听make sure听first and foremost that听the contact information听you include听on听it听is听up to date, because an organization will need to contact candidates to set up interviews.听Typically,听a听company will email you with instructions on how the interview will be conducted because the process varies from company to company.听
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Test Technology Beforehand听
If you鈥檙e able,听log into the platform before your scheduled interview听to test听your听audio, webcam, and internet connection.听If possible, use your laptop to conduct the interview听rather than听your phone. If you have a poor internet connection or dead spots, move to a location in your home where the connection is strongest. Make sure your audio is clear and at an easy-to-hear level, and if you have any issues,听consider听using听headphones. Finally, make sure your webcam video is clear. If you don鈥檛 have a webcam built into your computer, consider borrowing one or purchasing one.听
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Find Good Lighting听
Good lighting and angles are vital components of a good virtual interview.听After all,听the interviewer needs to听be able to see you clearly!听Before the interview, choose an area of your home that is well-lit and has a tidy background; if you鈥檙e interviewing over Zoom,听you can听always听use a professional virtual background. Then,听check your angles in the webcam as you want to be in the middle of the frame. Finally,听be sure not to zoom the camera too close,听because you want to fit听within the frame.听
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Dress Professionally听
Although听your听interview is virtual, it does not mean it鈥檚 casual. Be sure to dress the same as you would for a face-to-face interview. Consider wearing solid colors, a suit jacket, blouse, or dress, and keep your jewelry simple.听And as tempting as it may be to听only听dress professionally from the waist up, be sure听to听look your best听from head to toe听just听in case you need to stand up during the interview.听
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Prepare in Advance听
Before your interview, set time aside to research the company鈥檚 mission and what skills and credentials you鈥檒l need to highlight during the interview.听Read reviews from employees about the company to gain an understanding of the company听culture. Print out your resume to refer to past positions and write down questions for the interviewer. Preparing questions in advance will show you鈥檙e interested in the role and have done your homework. Some example questions include, 鈥淲hat is a typical day on the job,鈥 鈥淲hat skills does your ideal candidate possess,鈥 and 鈥淲hat issues are you currently facing and how will this role address those issues?鈥澨
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Use Professional Body Language听
During your virtual interview, sit up straight and try to keep gesturing to a minimum. Lean in a bit to the camera and maintain good eye contact鈥攚hich in this case means looking at the camera. Keep your arms uncrossed, nod when necessary, and smile genuinely. If you are participating in a panel interview, consider addressing each person directly.听
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Build Rapport听
Create a connection with your interviewer by following their lead听throughout听the interview. If they prefer concise answers, adjust your answers accordingly. If they start with casual questions, take that time to build a connection and show a bit of your personality. Be sure to answer all questions asked and ask a few questions of your own in return.听
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Send a Follow Up Email听
Remember to send a thank you email to your interviewer or to the hiring manager, recruiter, or HR team after your interview. Try to add something you specifically discussed in your interview to show that you are invested in this opportunity. If you interviewed with a panel, consider sending a separate email to each panelist. Finally, this is an opportunity to include your LinkedIn profile so that they can reference it as they make their final decision.听
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For additional information on this topic, check out the recent webinar听.听 If you need interviewing assistance, check out the career services interviewing tools,听.听
Isa鈥 Martinez is a Career Advising Specialist in the Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations at the 黑料情报站. She has over six years of experience in Higher Education in a student support capacity.鈥 She has a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State听University, where she practiced counseling for a year and discovered her passion for career counseling. Isa鈥 is committed to putting students first, educating students on career services and believes in the power of an education.鈥