The virtual job interview is here to stay.
A virtual job interview takes place remotely; that is, using video conferencing and other online communication platforms. Though virtual job interviews are generally conducted as face-to-face interviews, there are important differences to be aware of and ways to prepare beforehand to make the interview a success.
We asked a number of professionals their top tips to prepare for meeting a potential employer behind a screen.
Wear appropriate clothing
Dress as if you were going to a face-to-face interview. This includes your trousers and shoes, even though no one will see them. You want to feel the part and be as formal as possible. Also, avoid shirts with plaids and bold stripes as they can be distracting. Additionally, white shirts reflect screen light. This leads to overexposure on your face, which means people can not easily read your facial expressions.
Study the job description
Think about how you can show your added value to the company. Find those real-life examples of your achievements and practice saying them. Relying on a ‘script’ because you can keep it hidden from sight can mean that you end up sounding unnatural...and unprepared. However, to show that you are interested in the company and the position, prepare a list of questions for the end of the interview.
Don't look at yourself
Watching yourself constantly is, well, exhausting and slightly unnatural. For this reason, it may be advisable to hide your own video from your screen while letting others still see you. To do this in Zoom meetings, hover over your video and click the ellipses button 
in your video to display the menu, then choose Hide Self View.
Focus on them.
Eye contact is important in virtual interviews. If you are looking at something else on the screen, people will notice if your attention is not on them.
If possible, stand
You think clearer and you can speak clearly. If you prefer to sit, have a good posture so you can breathe better. In the comfort of your own home, two minutes before any virtual interviews, you can try the power-pose technique to boost your confidence.
Keep it real
Do not use a fake background. And try to have something rather than just an empty white wall behind you. People are naturally curious, and if they can see you live in an organised place, it can only help. Flowers or a clean room can provide a subliminal message to the viewer that you are neat and organised. A dark room or too many shadows can give the wrong impression.
Use your hands
Do not always keep your hands hidden. Using hand expressions makes you look more open, and on-screen, it can help accentuate a point or an idea.
Virtual meetings limit non-verbal communication
Try to concentrate on your voice and use intonation, strategic pauses ... and remember to smile when talking!
Feel free to share your screen
Do this if you want to show your portfolio or even go over points on your CV. People will also appreciate the visual change.
Have everything at hand
Water, paper, CV, pens. Your correspondent has made the mistake of having to leave an important meeting to raid his daughter’s desk to find a working pen.
Warm-up your voice
If you have not spoken to anybody before your virtual job interview, your voice may sound toneless. Warm it up by speaking to yourself or a friend for five minutes, or try these voice exercises to sound your best.
Further Reading:
Job Interview: “To be or not to be” by Morena Nardone
How to Prepare for an Interview by Sarah Roper
The reason zoom calls drain your energy, by Manyu Jiang, BBC, 22 April 2020.
Image:
depositphotos
