It’s hard to believe it’s now been almost a year since I started working with law students to get them ready for virtual interviews. And while I expect that we’ll go back to in-firm interviews at some point, I also think the increased use of virtual interviews, particularly as a pre-screening tool (yes - I’m thinking OCI’s) might be here to stay.
Sure, virtual interviews have their challenges, but it’s not all bad. It’s possible to adapt, and possibly even embrace this change. Check out these tips to navigate what makes virtual interviews more difficult, and make the most of some of the advantages.
#1 Test the Technology
When technology works, it’s brilliant. When it doesn’t, it can run havoc on your interview. You can’t avoid all technological glitches, but you can minimize the risk with a few basic steps. Download and do a dry run-through with the platform you’ll be using, and make sure your internet connection is strong enough in the room you’re using to avoid freezing and delays
#2 Pay Attention to Lighting
It’s harder to feel like you’re making a connection with someone you can’t see clearly. Make sure you have enough light and you’re not backlit. If you can, position yourself in front of a window to take advantage of natural light. Check it out for yourself and see the difference it makes!
#3 Check Your Audio
If they can’t hear you, you can’t get your message across. If your laptop or computer microphone doesn’t cut it, invest in some good headphones or a headset. And before you get too far into the interview check to make sure everyone can, in fact, hear you.
#4 Choose A Good Background
Choose your location wisely. Critically assess the background in the room you’ll use. A neutral background is important to project a professional image. Avoid distracting backgrounds, including unusual or trendy Zoom backgrounds. You don’t want to interview in what obviously appears to be your bedroom either. Move around in the room and reposition your seating and device if you have to.
#5 Avoid Distractions
It’s not always easy, or even possible, to avoid all distractions when you’re at home. As much as possible make sure you minimize interruptions from other people, pets, and background noises. And before the interview starts don’t forget to silence all alerts and notifications on the device you’re using - and any other devices you might have nearby.
#6 Make Notes to Aid Your Recall
Help battle your nerves and the necessity to remember it all. One of the advantages of a virtual interview is that you can have a few notes available to quickly glance at. These might include points you don’t want to forget to make, questions you want to ask, or bios of the people you’re interviewing with.
#7 Check Out How Others See You
Okay, seeing yourself might increase your self-consciousness. But the ability to see yourself on-screen also allows you to periodically monitor and correct any distracting on-screen habits or tendencies you might have. As long as it’s not too disorienting for you, and you don’t spend too much time looking at yourself!
#8 Treat It Like An In-Person Meeting
Dress professionally. If there is no mention of dress code, wear what you’d wear to an in-person interview. And while you can’t shake hands, or engage in other in-person formalities, take time to introduce yourself like you’re meeting in-person for the first time.
#9 Make Eye Contact
It’s natural to look at the people you’re speaking to, instead of the camera on your computer. To make it easier, drag the video of the people you’re speaking to as close as you can to the camera. And remember to periodically look directly into the camera. It might feel strange, but it’s the only way to look like you’re making direct eye contact.
#10 Combat Zoom Fatigue
Make sure you take mental breaks before, after, and between interviews. Get up from your screen, go for a short walk, and rest your eyes for a few minutes if you can. The experts are saying video meetings place a strain on you because you use more cognitive energy in a virtual environment to focus, decipher subtle non-verbal cues, and fill in the gaps. It’s important to remember to give yourself a break.