Top 7 Tips To Ace An Online Interview

Interviews are an integral part of the hiring process. It is during actual interview processes that recruiters/ hiring managers assess a potential employee's educational background, skills, personality, ability to work and fit into the respective company's work culture, etc. In short, interviews are make-or-break in deciding if you are qualified and fit for the role from the prospective employer's point of view. And with the rise in the use of technology, online interviews have become quite common, for convenience, etc. If you too are gearing up for an online job interview and need help in prepping, in this article we will provide all the information you need to ace that virtual interview and land your dream job. so let's begin. 

What is an Online Interview?

An online/ virtual interview as the name suggests is an interview that's conducted either over a video call or a voice call, as against in-person interviews. These can be classified into two broad types, which are:

Live video calls

This is when the interviewer and the interviewee both come online at a predetermined time and have a conversation via video call applications like Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, etc. 

Recorded video

This mode of an interview is when the interviewer assigns you a few questions, and you answer them by recording a video for the same. You will be given a deadline and will have to send in the recorded videos before it passes. 

How to Prepare for your Online Job Interview

It is critical that you be prepared for the online job interview beforehand. Here are a few tips that will help you in this preparation:

Test the Devices/ Technology

The logistics of your video interview depend on the technology/ devices you are using. The foremost tip then is to test the device/ technology you are using. Make sure your webcam, speakers, microphone, internet connection, etc. are all working fine. Minimize the possibility of technical difficulties/ glitches happening during the interview.

One way to ensure that everything is working fine with the tech is to schedule a practice call with a friend/ family member. Through this call, you can see if you make to make changes to your audio, video, or connection settings. For example, if you have a zoom interview, make sure that all your zoom settings are right. 

Choose the Right Location/ Environment

When prepping for such video job interviews you need to select a location from where you will be logging in, as against an in-person job interview where you have to visit the location selected by the interviewer. You can use this opportunity to your advantage. Here are a few pointers to pick/ prep the right location:

• Choose a location you are comfortable in. At the same time, you will need a quiet space to give the interview, that is, a place where there are no background noises that might disrupt the flow of the interview. 
• The place must have plenty of light sources and a lot of natural light as well. You can also look to use desk lights, overhead lights, etc to ensure that there is adequate lighting.
• Also, make sure that there is a neutral background, however, you can also use virtual backgrounds for this.
• A cluttered office/ interview space does not give a positive impression to the interviewer. That is, you need a neutral background/ uncluttered space.
• Another disadvantage of a disorganized space is that there are plenty of distractions for you as well. So remove all things that might cause a distraction for you or the interviewer during the remote interview. 

Dress Professionally & pay Attention to Body Language

Another factor that helps you make a lasting impression on your potential employer is professional attire and body language. Even though in the virtual interview you will not meet the interviewer in person, adhering to a proper dress code and showcasing confidence through your body language is important. 

Note that if you have a light-colored/ blank background it is a good idea to wear dark/ solid colors. It is also important to control your facial expressions and maintain eye contact with the hiring manager/ interviewer. Another thing to keep in mind is to speak clearly and confidently during the online interview to prevent any loss of information in transition. 

Practice & be Prepared for Questions 

Just like in the case of a real interview/ in-person interview, you will need to answer the interviewer's questions. These will range from questions about your personal life, professional life, and behavioral traits/characteristics. If you want to give a successful interview it is ideal to practice some common interview questions and prepare your answer beforehand. This way you won't be grappling for answers during the interview and will appear confident. Also, read the job description and the company profile before sitting for the online interview. 

Another tip is to prepare your own questions, anything you want to ask the interviewer about the job or the company. Jot them down somewhere so that you can refer to them when needed.

Set up and Log in Early

On the day of the interview, it is better to set up and log in about 10-15 minutes before the actual interview time. Make sure that everything is in place for the virtual interview and that everything is working fine. Also gather all additional things like a pen, notebook, water, etc. you mind need during the interview. This way you'll have everything handy during the process and won't have to get up for anything. Once you've made sure that all's well, hang out in the interview room and wait for the interviewer to log in.

Listen Carefully

In virtual interviews/ online interviews, it is quite possible to skip information or cut off the interviewer due to audio delay, internet lag, etc. To minimize the possibility of anything like this happening listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying, wait for them to finish before you start speaking. Again, speak clearly and at a normal pace. Another tip here would be to jot down some key words from the conversation, or points that you want to discuss further, circle back to or keep in mind.

Follow up Afterward

Once the interview is about over, thank the hiring manager/ interviewer for their time. Also, ask them when they will likely come to a decision regarding the job or by when are they likely to get back to you. Wait until the specified date, and if you still don't hear from them, send in an email enquiring about the hiring process. Start by thanking them for the opportunity, and then go on to pose the question. Remember that while you don't want to appear passive, you also don't want to come across as too aggressive.

Keeping these tips in mind when preparing for an online job interview will surely help you woo the interviewer and leave a lasting impression. 

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