Where do we even start? Daily use of Zoom and MS Teams are most certainly one of the biggest carry overs from the COVID years, and virtual interviews have not only become commonplace, but they are likely to continue.
We know only too well how easy it is to become complacent and relaxed given our now familiarity with these new ways of working, which is why it’s so important to remember to treat them the same as any other interview. We’re not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, but a few reminders never hurt anyone. To make sure that you always make the very best first impression, we have put together some tips on how to nail virtual interviews.
Ensure you are fully dressed from top to toe as you would for a formal face to face meet. An interview is not the time to try and hide your shorts or pjs! Be sure to select something that looks good on screen and doesn’t clash with anything around you. Where you may have previously worn a patterned shirt, or striped or check, consider plain; it’s simply easier on the eye on a screen.
There are very few occasions these days however, COVID or not, that we would suggest a suit with a tie. Australian workplaces have ‘dropped’ ties unless you’re a consultant going to a formal client meeting. We would recommend shirt and jacket, open collar. You can always take your jacket off, the same as you would when you’re face to face.
One silver lining to a virtual interview? You can control the climate; no warm summer walk only to arrive hot. Save that for round two which is likely still to be face to face.
If your desk happens to be in the middle of your living room, bedroom or on the dining room table and not in a purposeful office space, you might wish to choose a professional looking background; neutral always works well. The questions this leaves however, is ‘what’s behind the background’? We recommend you find a real space that works, even if it’s not perfect, over a faux backdrop, however, each to their own – just be mindful of the pros and cons of each.
Be sure to check your lighting in advance to avoid any unnecessary screen glare that may cause a distraction.
Move the dog outside. Distract the children. Add a note to your door to ask to the postman not to knock. Whilst working from home has become more popular and interruptions have become acceptable (I love this acceptance of life!), treat an interview situation with the utmost respect and ignore any knocks at the door, builders in the neighbourhood or email notifications that pop up on your screen. Even better, close down all other tabs.
Be sure to prepare in advance and to check that everything including your wireless router and your camera are working correctly. Don’t let technology failures take away the shine and detract from you making the best first impression. It is also worth having a back up device ready should your primary source fail. So add to your phone or iPad alongside your laptop.
Bringing a portfolio or a folder with 30 certificates in is a big ‘no-no’, unless you’re a Landscape Architect or in a specifically creative role. With careful consideration of conflicts of interest, one of the advantages of virtual interviews is the ability to screen share and show-off a project you’re talking about quite quickly, and without making a big fuss pulling out plans onto a table. If you’re going to do this, know in advance exactly where the document is so you can bring it up quickly. The elegance of doing this will be lost if you take five minutes trying to find your work.
There’s less opportunity for expressing your own body language and interpreting others’ when behind a screen. It’s worthwhile therefore, being more aware than normal about your interviewer’s body language signals and also slightly exaggerating your own if you’d like to get a point across. Don’t go crazy in gesticulation – being aware of it is often enough.
Be sure to look up at the camera regularly (make eye contact), even if not all the time.
One of the benefits of a virtual scenario is the ease of using a cheat sheet. You can place it out of the view of the camera and a quick glance will help ensure that you reference all of the key points you want to mention and help you remember any questions you want to ask your potential new employer. Try sticking post it notes on the wall behind your screen so you don’t even have to look down.
We always recommend face to face interviews. However, it’s likely there will be occasions where a video call can work just fine.
We hope the tips above help! If you have any questions, please reach out.
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