Virtual Interview Guide: How to Prepare for a Virtual Interview

A virtual interview is an interview that takes place via online video conferencing. Thanks to the growth of broadband Internet, hiring managers and job recruiters may use virtual interviews in lieu of standard face-to-face meetings. Many online platforms have the capability to host software that recruiters and hiring managers use for video interviews.

As you prepare for your next virtual interview, keep these virtual interview tips in mind.

1. 1. Respect the process. New job seekers may question whether virtual interviewing is legitimate. In today's economy, a virtual job interview is every bit as legitimate as a face-to-face meeting. You will face the same interview questions and meet with the same hiring managers as you would during an in-person interview. Approach your virtual interview with the right frame of mind, and assume the interviewer is just as interested and engaged as they would be in a face-to-face interview.
2. 2. Check your Internet connection ahead of time. Interviewers are forgiving of glitches during a video call. At the same time, connection issues are distracting and prevent you from truly immersing in the interview process. Make sure your computer has a clear path to your Wi-Fi router, and turn off any devices known to cause electronic interference.
3. 3. Pick an appropriate backdrop. Objects in the background may send signals to the person on the other end of the video chat. For example, a messy, disheveled room could create the wrong impression. A blank wall offers a neutral background free of distractions. A bookshelf can be a nice touch, but keep any controversial or politically charged books out of the line of sight.
4. 4. Light your room appropriately. Make sure you have a reliable light source for your virtual interview so your face is illuminated properly. Ring lights positioned behind your webcam, indirect lighting, and natural light work particularly well.
5. 5. Body language still matters. It is hard to make true eye contact with a video interviewer, but you will still want to position your webcam at eye level. Look into the camera as you speak. Clear, confident communication with ample eye contact makes a great first impression—even through a computer screen. Be mindful of overall body language and facial expressions as well. Conduct yourself as you would in an in-person interview by maintaining good posture and smiling often.
6. 6. Dress appropriately. Remember that video interviewing can still be formal. If you normally would wear a blazer and tie to an in-person interview, wear them to your virtual interview as well.
7. 7. Prepare just as you would for a normal interview. Treat the virtual hiring process just as you would the in-person hiring process. Research the company, study the job description, and prepare for common interview questions about topics like teamwork and self-motivation.
8. 8. Do a trial run with a friend or family member. If you've put a lot of effort into your overall job search, the same should apply to your interview prep. You can put your best foot forward by arranging a practice virtual interview with a friend or family member on their own electronic device. Even if they live in the same home as you, have them go to another room and start a video chat. You can work on eye contact, body language, and common interview questions and test for any technical difficulties, which will help you launch your real interview with confidence.

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