Interviewing is a process we all must go through to
acquire the job we desire. When thinking of an interview, most people think of traveling
to the place of the interview and two people sitting down in one room during
the interview. Changes are now being made in the way interviews are being
conducted. Interviewing within your own residence is now an option. As
hiring organizations continue to lower costs, online interviews are fast
replacing phone screenings as a way for employees to check out job candidates
before, or even instead of, an in-person interview (career.uga.edu). If you thought online interviews were just for high-tech
jobs, you’re mistaken. (Carniol, 2013). Just
five months ago, 63% of interviewed HR managers said their company conducted
interviews using video on a regular basis (Carniol, 2013). And with the job
market still seeing 2.1 million turnovers in November, employers aren’t exactly
bending over backwards to cater to the schedules of job seekers (Carniol, 2013).
Skype
and other popular software applications used for online interviews, allow users
to make free voice and video calls over the internet (career.uga.edu).Online
interviews should be treated like in-person interviews, with the main difference
being that they are conducted via webcam (career.uga.edu).
There
are a few tips to keep in mind while preparing for an online interview. The
first bit of advice is to always remember that the way you present yourself is
important. Choose a professional username (career.uga.edu). A username can help
identify you in a more mature manner. You will exchange your user name with the
employer, so be sure to pick a user name that will leave a positive first
impression (career.uga.edu). The first impression is always the one remembered
most so make sure that the first impression makes you look your best self. It
is best to create a user name that incorporates your first and/or last name
(career.uga.edu).
Another
tip to remember is to always work with the devices that will be used during the
interview and prepare for any situation that could go wrong before the actual
interview. Online interviewing
may require certain equipment (Carniol, 2013). Test your equipment with a
friend or colleague to ensure everything is up to date and working correctly
(Carniol, 2013). Make sure you are familiar with the
technology (career.uga.edu). Technological difficulties can happen in any
situation, so make sure you know how to correct them and what to do if it does
occur the day of the interview. Make
sure you have a working webcam, mic, or the latest software ready (Carniol,
2013). Practice
talking with a friend through Skype (career.uga.edu). It is important for you
to know how to launch a video call, adjust microphone levels, and other
functions within the program (career.uga.edu). If you aren't positive about your system requirements,
check with the interviewer (Carniol, 2013). Just in case there are issues the
day of the interview that would interfere, make sure to always have other
options. Have a back-up plan (career.uga.edu). Software for
online interviews is not 100% reliable; calls can be dropped with a bad
connection (career.uga.edu). Be sure to have a phone available in case there
are any technical issues (career.uga.edu). Make sure to swap contact information
with the company or organization so they will have a way to reach you in case
of technical difficulties.
In addition to equipment, it’s vital to do a virtual
interview dry run (Carniol, 2013). Practicing your interview story with the
same friend or colleague can help you to be confident when the actual interview
takes place (Carniol, 2013). Look at how to set up the computer you will be
interviewing on. Try the computer in different positions and heights so you are
able to know what view makes you look best for you to the interviewer. Know the
distance you should be away from the camera. Always remember that you want to
make this interview as real as possible. You want your arms and hands to show
because we generally talk with our hands to make our words clear. It can look
funny if your head and neck are just appearing on the interviewer’s screen. Create
the right interview setting (career.uga.edu). Try using different lighting and attire to guarantee you
not only sound professional, but also look the part as well (Carniol, 2013). Look
at what the employer can see behind you (career.uga.edu). It is best to have an
uncluttered background with no distracting objects, movement, or sound
(career.uga.edu). Do not have a light behind you, as it may make it difficult
for the employee to see your face (career.uga.edu). Your physical appearance is also important (Carniol,
2013). For example, certain clothes, colors, or backdrops may translate
differently in a virtual interview (Carniol, 2013). Always make sure to dress
the appropriate way for the job you are interviewing for. Different occupations
call for different attires for make sure to have your outfit ready beforehand
so you can check with your friends for advice to make sure it is appropriate
for that particular interview. Try on the clothes and do a mock interview in
them to make sure they are comfortable when you sit and they look appropriate
through a webcam.
Another
area to keep in mind while preparing for an online interview is all the
distractions that could occur. Keep out the interruptions (career.uga.edu). If
there is anything electronic in the room you are doing the interview in, make
sure it is turned off so there is no chance of it buzzing or turning it on
without notice. Turn your cell phone on silent (career.uga.edu). It might even
be best to keep your cell phone in a different room so that there is not a
chance that it will be a hindrance. Keep all pets in a separate room so they
will not be heard by the employer (career.uga.edu). The day of the interview,
make arrangements to where the pets could be kept outside or in a room by themselves
for the duration of the interview to ensure no distractions. Make all roommates
aware of your interview and ask them to stay out of the room for the duration
of the interview (career.uga.edu). Even though you are not in charge of the
time of the interview, make sure that your roommates know the time and ask them
to make plans accordingly.
The last and most important matter to take care of before
the interview is to do research and study the organization or company you are
applying for. No matter what sort of interview you have, it’s important to
research the organization (Carniol, 2013). Check out their recent news,
organizational practices and what other people are saying (Carniol, 2013). While
gathering information, make sure to write down some questions that you can ask
to the interviewers at the end of the interview if they ask if you have any.
This will show your interest and desire of the company. In addition, do a
little Googling of yourself to ensure there’s nothing questionable about you
online (Carniol, 2013). Make sure that everything linked to your name is
professional and represents you well. Check any sites that you are a part of
and perfect your image to what you want to be seen as online.
Crunch time consists of the time that occurs right before
the interview. The hours before your virtual interview are not the
time to go overboard, memorize your resume, or do another run-through (Carniol,
2013). It’s the time to get your mind in the zone (Carniol, 2013). Interviewers
can tell when you’re overly nervous or trying too hard (Carniol, 2013). Eat
some breakfast, grab yourself a cup of coffee and relax (Carniol, 2013).
Anything else may be seen as overkill and can cloud the progress you’ve made
(Carniol, 2013). Instead, mentally focus on succeeding in the interview. You’ll
find this will help you to prepare instead of cramming (Carniol, 2013).
Now
that we have reviewed tips to do before an online interview, it is time to
discuss some pointers involving the actual interview. When setting up the
computer for the interview, also check on the distance that you will be from
the computer and how that will appear on the screen to the interviewee who will
see you. Don’t be too close for comfort (career.uga.edu). Don’t be so close to
the computer screen that all the employer can see is your face
(career.uga.edu). Adjust the camera to ensure the employer can see your
professional attire (career.uga.edu). Body language is important in online
interviews, so make sure that the interviewer is able to see your arms and not
just your face.
During
the first few minutes and throughout the interview, make sure to start and
continue with strong and confident body posture and tone. Make (virtual) eye
contact (career.uga.edu). Be sure to maintain a high level of virtual eye
contact with the employer by looking at the camera (career.uga.edu). When using
a webcam, looking at the computer screen instead of the camera will show a lack
of eye contact (and, essentially, a lack of connection) with the employer
(career.uga.edu). Looking at the interviewer shows professionalism and that you
are able to communicate effectively. In conclusion, remembering these few tips can help you successfully prepare
for an online job interview. Present your best self and you are sure to have a
successful interview.
Works Cited
Online Interviews. Career Center. Retrieved from: http://career.uga.edu/interviewing/interview_types/online_interviews
Carniol,
A. (2013). Prepare for a Job Interview in 24 Hours. Mashable. Retrieved from: http://mashable.com/2013/01/26/online-interview-prep/
