11 Proven and Tested Advice To Ace Your Online Job Interview

Going through a job interview is something that can be nerve-wracking whether you are a fresh graduate or have gone through it several times. There are various types of an online job interview, but if you are one to experience a face-to-face online job discussion, it is understandable that there could be a lot of factors to prepare and plan to ready yourself and claim the job!

Over the years, virtual job interviews have progressed and become more popular provided that it is convenient and efficient to both employer and applicant. Online interviews minimize travelling costs, accelerate the process of recruiting, and enable non-local applicants to be interviewed by recruiters.

While there are particular resemblances between traditional and personal job interviews, you can still highlight some differences that you must prepare for.

If you need comprehensive preparation and want to know the proven and tested tips to ace your online job interview, continue reading.

Perform a trial run on your computer or laptop

Doing a test run is an excellent way to prepare yourself and your device to go through an online job interview. You have to make sure that your computer or laptop is completely functional – from the internet connection to audio to video quality, and even the processor to prevent any lag or inconvenience on your end.

Also, you need to know which application is preferred by the recruiter– is it Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime? After knowing which application will be used to conduct an interview, double-check your wifi, the audio, and the video if everything is working.

Try to call a friend who can do the trial run with you and provide feedback regarding the total function of your laptop and computer. You want to go as smoothly as you can during the job interview to avoid any inconvenience to both you and the recruiter.

Choose a quiet and ideal place

Ensure that during the interview it’s not too dim, but still avoid fluorescent lights if you can. Try to sit down next to a window if necessary. Since poor lighting can be annoying, sunlight is better. A glare might make it hard for the interviewer to see you, and you really want to put out your best face forward.

The day before the interview, try to look for a good spot where you can be comfortable provided that it has good natural light.

Remove any distractions

To minimize any noise, make sure that no one is in your room or space during the interview proper. If you have kids, dogs, and a loud neighbourhood, make sure to tune them out Be sure no one else, even dogs, is present as you finish the interview.

Surely, you do not want your dog jumping right in front of your screen during the interview making both you and the recruiter startled. Also, of course, you do not want anyone walking half-naked behind your back.

If you can, make sure to announce that you have a job interview coming on a specific date.

You should put on silence anything that may cause distractions during the virtual interview.

Dress professionally and sit upright

First impressions are important, and having a positive one is vital to your success. While you don’t directly meet the interviewer, make sure you dress for professionalism and sit upright. Don’t forget to give your best smile!

Smile the way you will during an in-person interview, this creates a pleasant and ice-breaking environment.

Gather your materials

Prepare your notebook and pen that is reachable right in front of you. You might also want to have a copy of your resume or cv that you can look through during the interview so as to avoid mentioning any false statements.

Your notebook and pen will also help you list down all your questions and points that you would like to address when the recruiter has opened the table for inquiries. However, do not dwell too often on your notes and resume during the interview as this may confuse and raise suspicion towards you.

Prepare your own questions

Preparing questions of your own is also important to highlight clarifications and any inquiries you may have during the interview.  Ask the recruiter about the requirements of the job, the perks, and compensation, or what they think of the business. In the next step of interviews, any questions that encourage the interviewer to share additional information about what they anticipate from the ideal candidate will benefit you.

Make proper eye contact

Eye contact is relevant also in the virtual world. Look right at the webcam instead of staring at the individual on the monitor and remain focused.

If you are nervous, a good tip would be to put a picture of someone you are comfortable talking to by the desk and talk as if you are addressing your answers to a friend. This can help you ease and relax.

Consider your body language

Reading the body language on a virtual interview is even more challenging than the traditional interview.

When the interviewer talks, remember to smile and nod in agreement. Sit upright and behave as you would during an in-person job interview. Before signing off, since handshake is an impossible etiquette to practice, you might want to say thank you, give your best smile and bid goodbye properly.

Have a backup plan

In unexpected moments, technology is infamous for system failure. Ask your interviewer prior to the interview and settle to a contingency plan in the event of errors. All potential alternatives to technological problems are transferring to a conference call or rescheduling for a subsequent date.

If your program encounters a problem, do not panic. Just be honest with your interviewer and surely they will understand.

Relax

Your greatest enemy can be your own anxiety during an online interview. Breathe deeply before the call, and try to stay calm and reasonable.

You are much more likely to make a lasting good impact if you can interact openly with the interviewer than if you feel anxious. Practicing the responses ahead of time is one of the easiest strategies for interview distress.

Follow up after

You will need to give a thank you message to the interviewer after the interview. You may send an email to the interviewer to address your message conveniently.  Wait for a few days before you reach out for them after you have not heard anything from them.

Ask if the recruitment process is still going on and find out if you’d like more details from them. Do not forget to always give thanks to the interviewer for their time and consideration to process your application.

Food for thought

Online job interviews are progressing over time. This is actually an innovative way for both recruiter and candidate to process the application smoothly as it lessens the chances of transportation fee and more.

Follow these tips above to ace your online job interview! It takes a day or two to prepare but rest assured that provided that you give it your best shot, there are no regrets in the end.