Proactively prepare for your next digital interview with these 10 tips!
With the world still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 virus, more and more employers are relying on virtual job interviews to recruit. To proactively prepare for your next digital interview, we have prepared 10 tips to help you ace the interview.
1. Be Punctual
Better yet, be early! Many things can go wrong when logging into a digital platform for an interview. Logging in 10-15 minutes early gives you the opportunity to troubleshoot any issues and still have time to compose yourself before the hiring manager(s) join the interview.
2. Check Your Surroundings
Loudness is unfavourable for our ears and our eyes in an interview! Ensure your surroundings are clean, bright, organized and quiet so the interviewer is not distracted by a lack of lighting or what is happening in the background. If finding a quiet spot is a challenge, use earpods to amplify what you say and drown out background noise. If needed, place a sign outside the room informing others that there is an interview in progress. Lastly, be sure to have a simple background free from loud artwork or personal photos.
3. Dress with Confidence
Dress as if the interview is taking place in person. If you look good, you will feel good and you will be more likely to interview with confidence. Confident candidates are more likely to get the job so dress for success!
4. Prepare Your Technology
Respect the interviewers time by preparing your technology in advance. There is nothing more frustrating in an interview than unnecessary distractions. Make sure you test all of your equipment a few hours in advance as well as right before the interview. Ensure your batteries are charged, ringers are silenced and your browsers are compatible with the interview platform. A distraction free interview provides you with the focus you need to successfully answer interview questions. Prepare your technology in advance and set yourself up for success!
5. Do Your Research
The interview process is just as much for the candidate as it is for the employer! Research the role, the interviewer and the employer before your interview. Your research will also help you form questions to ask during the interview process. Make sure the role is properly represented and is something you would enjoy doing. Additionally, check online reviews to ensure the employer is someone you can see yourself working with. If your values do not align with those of the employer the role is likely not a great fit for you. Respect your own time as well as the interviewers by doing your research in advance.
6. Prepare Questions in Advance
By doing your research in advance, you will be armed with many questions to interview the employer! This is important because it shows initiative and confidence. Also, as mentioned above, this is your opportunity to make sure you want to work for them just as much as it is the employers opportunity to see if they want to hire you. Don’t be afraid to ask about the next steps and timeline for hiring; you may have other offers on the table and it is your right to know factors that could influence your decision making process.
7. Prepare Your Documents
Just like in an in-person interview, you want to have a copy of your resume handy for the interviewer. You can be proactive by having a digital copy attached to an email draft in case the interviewer requests another copy.
Additionally, it is advised to have a hard copy of the job description as well as your resume for your own reference during the interview. If printing is not possible, have your resume and job description up on your computer for easy reference. Remember, you want to relate your experience and skills to the job description. Making notes on the job description will help you articulate why you are the right candidate for the role.
8. Articulate Effectively
Communicating clearly is vital! Make sure you practise your verbal and non-verbal communication while you rehearse answering interview questions. Keep in mind, 80% of communication is non-verbal. Unfortunately, digital interviews can make it more difficult to read body language. It is especially important you are conscious of the messages you are articulating with your body on camera. Sit up straight, avoid slouching at all times, and be yourself. It is natural to look away when we are having an in-person conversation but during a digital interview it could be misconstrued as boredom or an inability to stay focused. If possible, try to practise answering interview questions, digitally, with a friend. Practising with a friend gives you the opportunity to: practise speaking clearly, perfect your answers and test your volume. Remember, practise makes us comfortable and comfort breeds confidence.
9. Smile
Interviews can be nerve-racking. Digital interviews give us a lot more to think about while we are doing our best to answer questions and sometimes we forget to smile. Smiling is key to speaking enthusiastically. Remember to smile because happiness is addictive and smiling projects enthusiasm. :)
10. Give Thanks
Take a few minutes after the interview to thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to interview for the position. Try to include a reference to something that was discussed in the interview so it will remind them who you are. Gratitude goes a long way and it could be the determining factor between you and another candidate.
Comments