VIRTUAL HIRING: TIPS TO NAILING YOUR ONLINE INTERVIEW

VIRTUAL HIRING: TIPS TO NAILING YOUR ONLINE INTERVIEW 

Interviews can extremely stressful, especially when the interview is online. But now with social distancing rules being implemented, it is highly unlikely face-to-face interview will be taking place anytime soon. This means, for all those job hunting at the moment, it’s time get good at virtual interviews.

But don’t worry, here are just a few tips to help you ace your next online interview:

Prepare

Just like with a normal interview, you need to ensure that you are prepared for any question they throw at you. Make sure you thoroughly research the company. This includes finding out what products or services it offers as well as its achievements. If there is anything specific you would like to ask or mention during the interview, make a note of it that you can see during the interview. This will remind you to ask or mention it as during an interview; it is easy to forget some of the points you want to bring up. 

Do a test run

We’ve all been in the situation when you sit down for a Skype or Zoom meeting and for reasons you can’t figure out the audio or video isn’t working. This can often make the meeting awkward. Therefore, to avoid this, it is a good idea to do a test run with the program you will be using. This will ensure that your video and audio are working, which will ensure you avoid the awkwardness of having no video or audio when the real interview starts. 

Pick the prime location

Before the interview, try to find a well lit, organised and private area to have the interview. This will make it easier for you to be seen during the interview and will make you come across as professional. Your background is also an important part of the interview. If you have an interview in your messy room with a chair full of dirty laundry behind you, it doesn’t give off the best impression. Therefore, if you can try to find a blank wall or a more professional background like a bookcase. You need to ensure that your background will not give your interviewers the wrong impression of you. 

Create a no distraction zone

Before your interview, make sure your phone is on silent, your TV is switched off, and all children and pets have been banished from the room. This will ensure that you don’t have a dog jumping in your lap mid-interview or a phone call causing an interruption. 

Dress professionally

Just because you are having the interview in your own home doesn’t mean you can wear sweatpants and a tank top. Ensure that whatever the interviewer can see, looks professional. So no one is going to stop you from wearing a professional shirt with your pyjama pants, as long as no one can see your pants decorated with unicorns. You want to look professional for your interview.

Look into the camera

During the actual interview, make sure you look at the camera like you would look at someone when talking to them. It doesn’t give the right impression if you are swinging in circles during the interview. Therefore make sure you keep natural eye contact throughout the interview. 

Professional Sourcing has a strong reputation for highly developed recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas. We develop strong long-term relationships with our loyal clients. Allow us to help you deal with your frustrations of a lengthy hiring process.

Professional Sourcing is a top-tier South African-based recruitment agency operating internationally, IPM accredited, LEVEL 2 BEE RATED and 51% Black Owned.