Got an online job interview? Here are some tips to ace it

The way recruiters hire new employees has changed considerably since the pandemic, with the hiring process switching to a completely online format. Like it or not, this means that as candidates, you have new challenges at hand.

Here are a few tips to help you ace your online interview and stand out from the rest of the candidates.

1. Avoid technical glitches

It goes without saying that you should avoid any technical difficulties during the interview. Make sure to double check your internet connection before starting the interview, and that your device is fully charged. Test the software you’ll be using well in advance and download the necessary add-ons to ensure you don’t face any difficulties at the last minute.

2. Check your camera angle

One of the main challenges of giving a job interview online is to set your laptop camera in the right angle. You don’t want to be looking up or down too much. For the perfect angle, keep the camera at your eye level.

3. Make eye contact

Just because your interviewer is not physically present in front of you, doesn’t mean that you are not speaking to a real person. This is a point that can easily be forgotten, but make sure that you don’t let your eyes wander. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer by looking into the camera, and not on your screen.

4. Lighting

Setting the right lighting is important to make a good impression. The key is to have the light fall on your face. Sit across a window if you want to make full use of the natural light. If you wear glasses, make sure it doesn’t create a glare.

5. Set the frame

While the workplace as we know it has changed over the past year, the regular rules do apply. When giving a job interview, make sure to set the frame beforehand. You could have a bookshelf behind you or a minimalist wall to ensure that your interviewer’s attention does not stray. A neutral background such as a blank wall is also a perfectly good choice.

6. Sit in a noise-free room

As much as we love watching videos of employees’ pets and kids wandering into their home-office set up while they are in the middle of an important meeting, try to avoid this during a job interview. You don’t want to be distracted by anything when you’re trying to convince the other person that you’re the best fit for the role.

7. Dress professionally

Even though you’re giving the interview from your living room, dressing formally will put you in the right mind space. Dress professionally, just like how you would for any job interview.

8. Write down prompts

If you are concerned that you will forget to mention important areas of your work experience, then write them down and place them on your screen or on the wall in front of you. Not full sentences and paragraphs, but short prompts that will help you remember for instance, important projects you worked on.

Attending an online job interview can add a whole lot of challenges to an already stressful process. We hope you find our tips useful!