The Professional's Guide: How to Ace an Online Interview

Need a new job? You’re definitely not the only bloke who does. With several companies closing or restructuring, a lot of folks find themselves starting from square one. Many others also are preparing to make a shift in their career and apply to their dream companies. Whatever the reason is to look for work elsewhere, one thing is for certain: there is still an application process to go through. Since on-site interviews are no longer safe, online interviews have been the best compromise for companies. Here are just some tips that can help you ace an online interview.

How to Ace an Online Interview at Home

Ready Your Setup

The difference between in-person interviews versus online interviews is that you have to prepare a lot more than just yourself. You need to find a spot at home where the internet is strong, the lighting is decent, and noise is kept to a minimal. Here is a checklist of things to accomplish in order to avoid setup mishaps:

• Be mindful of your backdrop. Make sure that everything behind the camera isn’t too distracting. Just because you’re doing the interview at home doesn’t mean that you’re not making an impression by featuring your bed or a room in complete disarray in the background. Opt for a plain wall background.

• Have no control over the noise outside? Invest in good noise-cancelling earphones with a good microphone.

• If you have companions at home, make sure to inform them of your scheduled interviews. That way, they can tone things down, keep pets or kids out of the room, or help you set up. 

• You don’t need an HD camera to impress your interviewer. However, it still helps if you have a good built-in or attachable camera clear enough for your interviewer to see you clearly.

• Internet signal should, at the most part, be stable.  If there are some technical issues in your area, make sure you inform the interviewer just for them to keep in mind. 

Always Test the Tech 

Do a trial run with one of your friends prior to the interview just to test things out. Have a friend on the other end tell you if the mic is running great, if your screen is clear, if you sound alright online, or if your signal is stable. If some technical difficulties do occur in the actual interview, don’t be embarrassed. These things happen.

Dress For It Like a Real Interview

Some people only opt for getting half-dressed up since that is the only thing that the camera sees. While this makes sense logically, it doesn’t quite feel the same to be half-dressed. Being in your best suit can give you the confidence boost you need to stand out from other candidates. Wearing the entire ensemble will make the interview appear more life-like and serious to you. 

Also read: 5 Benefits of Dressing For Success (with Style Tips)

Prepare Yourself With Possible Interview Questions

Just like any other interview, you have to prepare for it. The set of questions that never go away are the simple basic ones like them asking you to introduce yourself. However, with the current situation, there are some added common questions that employers are most likely to ask. These questions are most likely related to productivity while working remotely. Here are some common questions to look out for:

• Do you have experience working remotely before?

• Will working from home distract you from work?

• How fast do you respond to emails? 

• How proficient are you with online tools?

• What are the challenges you think you’ll face when working remotely?

Aside from these, expect some of the other common questions such as those that have to do with your preferred managed styles, whether or not you are comfortable with working in a team, and so on. And as always, be as honest as you possibly can. 

Talk as if the Conversation is in Real Life

This is like any other interview, just with a modified setup. Don’t hesitate to answer the best way you can. You also don’t have to pretend to be someone that you aren’t. Let your personality translate in your interview. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions 

One of the reasons people fail to impress in company interviews is that they fail to ask questions. Asking more about the company expresses interest in what the company is all about. When you ask more about the position and the tasks that are involved, this shows a proactive attitude and your eagerness to start. Not only does this improve your chances, but it also gives you an idea of the job you’re applying to. Remember that interviews are a two-way street. You might need the job, but they also have to convince you to work for them.  

Always Thank Your Interviewer

No matter how the interview went, it is important to thank the person who interviewed you. It is just common courtesy, even on this platform. Also, in a call, let the interviewer hang up the line or end the online meeting. Etiquette is important to keep in mind.

For more interesting and informative content, check out our blog.