Online Interview Tips You Need To Impress Your Potential Employer

Job interviews are no longer limited to traditional in-person interviews or phone interviews. With modern technology, interviews over online video chat platforms like Zoom and Skype are becoming increasingly popular.

A video interview allows you to have face-to-face interviews from the comfort of your home. It also allows employers to better understand who you are, how you communicate, and how well you respond under pressure.

Although it may feel like a more casual setting, you should treat an online interview with the same importance as an in-person job interview. With that in mind, the following is an in-depth guide to help you ace your online video interview and impress your potential employer.

What To Do Before Your Online Job Interview

You should treat your online job interview in the same way you would treat an in-person interview. As such, you should prepare for your interview beforehand. The following are a few tips to help ensure that you’re ready for your video interview:

• Get the correct video app interview details: Before the interview, make sure you have all the details for the call to ensure everything goes smoothly. This includes your interviewer’s name and online handle, the video platform being used, the video call link, and the time of your interview.It won’t matter how much you prepare for your interview if you miss it because you had the wrong details.
• Research the company: Interviewers like to see that you’ve done research into the role and understand the company well. So, spend some time researching the company before your online interview. You should know what they do and what space they occupy within their industry.Make sure you know the company’s mission and values, products or services, and goals for the future. Learning more about the company will allow you to better demonstrate how you’ll seamlessly fit in.
• Know your salary range: Before the interview, make sure you know what a reasonable salary range is for the position. When the time comes to negotiate your salary, you will only be taken seriously if you quote a reasonable salary. Research what similar positions in the industry are paying so you have reasonable salary expectations.
• Conduct a mock video interview: Have your friends or family members conduct a mock online video interview with you. Practice common interview questions, answer them as if they were asked by a real interviewer, and time yourself to ensure you’re not rambling on for too long.By practicing, you’ll become more comfortable and confident when engaging with the real interviewer over an online video app. Not to mention, you’ll be better prepared to answer any job interview questions the interviewer throws your way.
• Check your laptop settings: Before your interview, check that all the necessary settings are enabled. Ensure you have a good connection and that your video, audio, and microphone are working correctly.Make sure that your laptop’s battery is fully charged or that it’s plugged into a power source. The last thing you want is for your laptop to die halfway through the interview.
• Gather the tools you need: Have all the necessary tools ready for the interview. This includes a pen and paper to jot down notes, a list of questions you want to ask your interviewer, and any documents you need to reference. It might also be helpful to have a glass of water nearby in case you get a dry mouth.
• Find the best place to conduct your online interview: Find a quiet and cozy place for your interview. For example, it isn’t a good idea to interview in a living room if people or pets are walking around in the background. Instead, find a private space with minimal distractions.Additionally, make sure the area is clean and professional looking. If you’re in a cluttered or messy room, it will reflect poorly on your professionalism. Last but not least, ensure the room has adequate lighting so that you are clearly visible on the camera.
• Get a good night’s sleep: Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before the interview. You need to get a good night’s sleep to be as alert and focused as possible during the interview. Plus, looking tired and unfocused on camera won’t give a great first impression.
• Wear the best outfit for your interview: Just because you’re interviewing from home, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to look professional. How you dress will significantly impact the initial impression the interviewer will get upon seeing you.Choose an outfit that looks professional on camera and conveys your work ethic. This means no wrinkled clothes, pajamas, or t-shirts with slogans. Additionally, avoid clothes with stripes as they don’t look great on video. If you’re unsure what to wear for your interview, pick something that looks professional and conservative.

The Do’s And Don’ts For The Call

Preparing for the interview is half the battle, but don’t forget about what you need to do (or not do) during the call itself. Here are some tips on how to make sure your online video interview goes as smoothly as possible:

1. Speak In An Upbeat Tone Of Voice

When speaking over a video chat app, you should be as positive as possible. By being upbeat, you’ll appear more confident and enthusiastic. As a result, you’ll appear more engaged, which will help engage the interviewer as well. Before the interview starts, take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves and practice speaking in an upbeat, professional tone.

2. Smile While You Are Talking

When speaking over video, don’t forget to smile. Smiling will make you look more relaxed and confident on camera. Additionally, a positive facial expression will make the interviewer feel more comfortable and confident in your ability to perform the job.

So, remember to smile when you’re talking – and also when you’re listening (unless it’s not appropriate to what the interviewer is saying, of course).

3. Follow The Interviewer’s Lead

Follow the interviewer’s lead and answer their questions thoughtfully. If you are asked a question and don’t understand it, it is OK to politely ask the interviewer to clarify. Whatever you do, don’t try to lead the conversation yourself.

For instance, don’t start talking about what you want to talk about without being prompted. By letting the interviewer take the lead, it will show humility and respect.

4. Participate During The Initial Small Talk

When the interviewer initiates small talk, don’t be afraid to participate. Small talk is a great way to connect on a personal level with the interviewer. This is especially true if you have something in common with the interviewer – for example, if you went to the same college or follow the same sports team.

Small talk can also alleviate some of your nervousness and show the interviewer that you are comfortable engaging in conversation.

5. Do Not Interrupt The Interviewer

Respect the interviewer and wait for them to finish the question before you start answering. If necessary, take a few seconds to collect your thoughts before responding. Do not interrupt the interviewer, as this will come across as rude and unprofessional.

Additionally, it’s essential to pay attention to the interviewer and not get distracted by other things. Try your best to remain focused on the conversation, and don’t let your mind wander.

6. Don’t Multitask While On The Call

It can be tempting to multitask while online, but resist the urge. You might think that you can get away with multitasking (such as checking your email or browsing the internet), but chances are the interviewer will notice, which will affect their impression of you. It will be more obvious than you may realize that you are not paying attention.

Even if they can’t tell that you’re multitasking, they will be able to tell that you’re not entirely engaged in the conversation. Instead, focus on the interview and save all other distractions for later.

7. Avoid Eating Or Drinking During The Call

It’s important to remember that you’re still in an interview., so avoid eating or drinking during the call as it will make you appear unprofessional. Not only is it rude, but it will seem like you’re not taking the interview seriously if you can’t wait until after the interview to eat or drink.

Of course, taking a sip of water to help clear your throat is acceptable. Just be sure to do so as quickly and discreetly as possible, and excuse yourself if necessary. A solution is to eat a nutritious meal before your interview so you are not hungry and can 100% focus on the interviewer.

8. Enunciate Properly

When speaking, it’s important to enunciate clearly. This will make it easier for the interviewer to understand you and help them assess your communication skills. Make sure to speak clearly and avoid mumbling or talking too fast. Avoiding slang words, acronyms, and filler words like “um” or “like” is also a good idea, as this can make you appear unprofessional.

9. Be An Active Listener

When the interviewer is speaking, be an active listener. This means that you should pay attention to what they are saying and make sure you understand before responding.

For example, if the interviewer is speaking too quickly or you don’t quite understand something, politely ask them to repeat themselves or clarify what they mean. Listening actively shows the interviewer that you are engaged in the conversation and paying close attention to what they are saying, not just waiting for your turn to speak.

10. Exude Confidence Throughout Your Interview

An integral part of a successful online video interview is exuding confidence. Remember to maintain good posture during the call, make eye contact with the interviewer (if they have their camera on), and speak clearly and confidently. This will help make a good impression on the interviewer and demonstrate your ability to handle pressure.

In addition, showing confidence in your interview will give the interviewer the idea that you are capable and qualified for the job.

11. Thank The Interviewer At The End Of Your Interview

At the end of your video interview, thank the interviewer for their time. Express your appreciation and let them know that you are interested in the position and would be grateful for an opportunity to work with them. A polite goodbye will leave a good impression on the interviewer and show that you are professional and courteous.

12. Send A “Thank You” Email Afterwards

Besides thanking the interviewer over video chat, follow up with a thank you email. Doing so will show that you are still interested in the job and appreciate their time. In addition, because they are likely conducting many different interviews, a thank you email can keep you at the top of their mind.

Just be sure to wait at least a day before sending a thank you email, so you don’t appear overly eager. However, don’t wait too long, or they may have trouble remembering who you are.

Send A Follow-Up Email (If You Received No Response)

After sending the thank you email, don’t be discouraged if you do not immediately hear back from the interviewer. The hiring process can take a while, depending on how many other candidates there are. However, if you don’t hear from them after a few weeks, it is perfectly acceptable to follow up with a polite email.

In the follow-up email, remind them of your interest in the position and ask if they would like additional information or materials. Doing so will demonstrate your initiative and show them that you are still interested in the job. Additionally, it can help keep your name at the top of their mind as they continue to search for the right candidate.

Don’t Let Your Interview Disconnect You From Your Dream Job!

Online video interviews have become more and more common in this day and age. They can be a lot more convenient for both job candidates and interviewers.

However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take them just as seriously as an in-person interview. If you want to ace your online interview, prepare properly and keep these 13 tips in mind. Be sure to check out our additional tips on how to ace an interview and make a good impression as well.