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The Covid pandemic changed the mediums people utilized to communicate with their families and friends as well as with career interviews. Your first, second and sometimes even the final interview could now be virtual. Even after the company long ago dropped all of their Covid pandemic protocols. Prepare for your first interview over a Skype or Zoom conference call with these virtual interview tips.
Prior to the interview, check that all of your internet, video and audio connections work. Be sure your room doesn’t sound as if you are in an echo chamber. Throw a few blankets over your furniture to dampen the sound just in case. Subscribe to Skype and Zoom for a practice call with a friend.
You will provide the interviewer with your Skype address when the conference call is set up and then connect with that person on Skype when the interview starts. Zoom doesn’t require an address. You will log in through a Zoom link or Zoom meeting ID and password the interviewer emails you in advance.
The lighting should at 10 and 2 o’clock in front of you. Pull down the shades if there is a natural light source behind you and turn off any overhead or rear lighting. Note that these are two points of lighting so that half of your face isn’t in a deep shadow or that a rear/overhead light doesn’t give you a halo effect. You are seeking a balanced image and not an artistic mood effect. Your camera should be at about eye level. Higher gives the impression that the interviewer is looking down on you. Lower accentuates your chin and neck.
Use your own office if the space is presentable. Both Skype and Zoom offer custom backgrounds, as well as a background blur option. An inexpensive pop-up green screen from Amazon will improve the background quality. Skip the palm tree beach or other vacation spot. You are interviewing for your next career move and not retirement. Save the vacation pic background for your virtual family reunion.
You cannot control the interview environment in a public space. Conference calling from your vehicle, Starbucks or the airport waiting area is a recipe for disaster. I remember a candidate who phone interviewed while his kids banged their hockey sticks on the back of his car seat. He was otherwise highly qualified for the role but didn’t get past that stage. Make sure the kids are elsewhere and your dog or cat cannot be heard. Unplug the refrigerator if you are near the kitchen and mute your cell phone. Keep your cell phone on just in case the interviewer decides to call instead with a last minute reschedule.
Note the environment outside of your interview space. If your neighbor revs up the lawnmower, ask if the trim can wait an hour in exchange for a six pack or nice bottle of wine. Remember that people will continue to work remotely and conference via Skype and Zoom. No one wants to hear what your greater home office environment sounds like.
We have watched news stories on YouTube about teachers and reporters who have perceivably inappropriate web sites minimized at the bottom of their monitor. You don’t know what the hiring manager may be offended by. The first (or any) interview is not the place to make an announcement of your credo. Clear all of the personal tabs on your computer. Mute your mic if you need to sneeze and keep a glass of water by your computer in case of a scratchy throat. Dress from top to bottom as if you are on the job meeting with an important client. Too many people have been caught interviewing in their PJ bottoms.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. But you will now take your first steps virtually through the door. These virtual interview tips may help you to secure a great role on the next stage of your journey.
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