Preparing for an Online Interview

Coronavirus has forced our working habits to be carried out almost exclusively online now and employers now carry out interviews either on an online video platform or via a phone call. This switch has naturally caused many people to feel nervous or apprehensive about this move, particularly if they’ve never done one this way before. So, if you have a big interview coming up and you want to know what you can do to make sure it goes smoothly you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips you can use to get make sure you impress on the big day.

1.       Test your equipment

It’s always worth remembering this point before going into the interview! You want to make sure that interview goes smoothly, so when preparing for an online interview make sure your equipment not only works, but that you are comfortable using it. The absolute last thing you’re going to want is technical problems or to find that a piece of your equipment doesn’t work on the day. Do a trial run beforehand and this will help you gain that extra bit of confidence going into the interview. Test everything, from ensuring your camera lighting is correct to making sure your speaker doesn’t muffle your voice.

2.       Prepare your space

Make sure you find a quiet spot somewhere in your house away from any background noise or distractions. Shut the door to avoid any unwanted interferences and make sure you are comfortable in that space by clearing away clutter. Pay close attention to the background, as the last thing you want is to be unprofessional by showing off an untidy room or a distracting background. Choose a blank or neutral wall and remember to leave your favourite unicorn background filter for another time.

3.       Practice

Schedule a mock interview with a friend or family before going into the real interview. This might sound unnecessary if you have done plenty of interviews before, but if an online interview is new to you, you might find it helpful to practice on the platform you’re using so that you’re comfortable with the technology. Even better, record the mock interview so you can watch it back and see areas for improvement.

4.       Clothing

Just because the interviewer will only see from the waist up and you’re at home doesn’t mean you should only dress up part of your body or wear your regular comfy clothes. Dress as you would for an in-person interview, which will not only help you look the part, but will also help you to get in the zone.

5.       Have notes to hand

You might find it helpful and relaxing to have not only a copy of your CV to hand, but also prepare for any potential questions you might be asked. Write out notes for this, perhaps bullet-points, which you can quickly refer back to so that you can give the best response. However, don’t use this as a complete script and constantly look at during the interview. Be engaging with the interviewer, look into the camera, and remember to smile.

Above all else, relax! Online interviews may seem daunting or scary at first, but with practice you’ll soon be a natural! This is still quite a new method of carrying out interviews to many, even to employers, but with these tips you can help boost your confidence and nail that interview. Good luck!

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