Interviewing during COVID-19: Tips and Tricks to help you nail that virtual interview
COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives. From our kids’ schooling moving online at home to working remotely or having to find new jobs, we have had to adjust to a new normal. For those who are trying to find jobs, the way of going about it has changed drastically as well. Most applications are all online as well as the entire interview process. Preparing for your interview is essential to landing your next job and virtual interviews are no exception. They present new challenges such as where they are going to take place and if there will be a quiet background for them to happen.
Here are a few tips and tricks that we recommend when interviewing virtually:
- Make sure you have a clean, clear space free from distractions. You want the person interviewing you to stay focused on your conversation, not on a toddler in the background. In order to be present and focused yourself, you also want to be removed from loud or heavy traffic areas in your house. However sometimes interruptions may happen and if they do, calmly address them, don’t get flustered and continue on with your interview. Life happens and your interviewer will understand that.
2. Instead of direct eye contact with the camera or the interviewer, look slightly above the camera. It can be a bit intimidating if you are staring directly into the camera so instead look slightly above it. This will give the interviewer the impression that you are looking towards them and help you avoid staring down at yourself for the interview.
3. Practice what you are going to say ahead of time. There are three questions that are typically asked in every interview: “Tell me about yourself”, “Tell me about a time you’ve had a challenge on the job”, and “Why should we hire you?” Having answers to those questions ahead of time will help you feel prepared and remember to tell the interviewer everything that you want them to know about you. If you know that you are prepared for whatever the interviewer asks you will be able to go into the interview with less stress, let go and just be yourself.
