Acing Your Online Interview: What You Need To Know
Back in 2015 (well before Covid-19) Software Advice conducted a survey and found that more than 60 percent of hiring managers and recruiters were using video for their remote job interviewing needs. Almost half of the respondents with prior video interview experience preferred this format.
Online interviewing is not a new concept. However, what do you do if you have no prior experience?
In my last article, Preparing Your Online Interview, I shared how to prepare for an online interview. Preparedness is what enables you to put your best foot forward, allows you to shine and stand out from the competition during the interview process.
Acing the interview gets you the job offer.
Here are five things you need to know in order to ace your online interview. The best part is that this is simple and anyone, including you, can ace an interview even if it’s not in person and you don’t have prior experience.
- SMILE
Introverts are commonly concerned that extroverts will overshadow them during the interview process. In many instances, online interviews level the playing field. Being an introvert is not an excuse not to smile.
Whether you identify as an introvert or extrovert, your smile shows you are happy to be speaking with the interviewer. The job is a source of excitement. Extroverts tend to show their excitement and interest through body language and speaking. If you are an introvert and not as boisterous with your body language and tone, smile and show your excitement by doing your research. What do you know about the company? Whom have you researched and what do you have in common with the other successful employees?
2. PRACTICE EMPATHY
You may be more prepared and more skilled in interviewing than the person interviewing you. Don’t fault them for it. Instead, be the candidate that helps them grow, learn, and ultimately makes their job easier.
The interviewer could be overworked, tired, and you could be their last interview of the day. Don’t be swayed by the interviewer. Most certainly, don’t take your interview down a notch because the interviewer was out of steam. Instead, make yourself memorable by practicing empathy. Empathize with the interviewer by letting him/her know they have a difficult job and thank them for their time.
3. FOLLOW-UP WITH SPECIFICS AND BOUNDARIES
Following up is a commendable trait until it becomes an irritating email. Send an appropriate thank you follow-up email. Ask before your interview ends about the timeline and when an appropriate time to follow-up would be. Make sure your follow-up is valuable. Don’t send email to simply “check-in”. Follow-up with something of value, something you learned about the company, something you think could be of value to the recruiter. Under no circumstances give the recruiter more work to do.
4. LOOK INTO THE CAMERA NOT YOUR SCREEN
It can be very awkward to look into the camera. However, when there is no eye contact made during the interview, many recruiters believe it shows a lack of confidence or worse you have something to hide. Don’t worry if you can’t see what the interviewer is doing. Look into the camera and smile. Additionally, share what you’re doing while on camera. I’ve heard numerous stories of candidates who were interviewing and taking notes but thought to be playing on their phones or not paying attention. Share what you’re doing. Don’t give anyone the opportunity to make assumptions.
5. SUM UP YOUR INTERVIEW STORY
You may have answered a lot of questions. You may have asked your own questions and had meaningful dialogue as well. End the interview by being able to sum up your story. Leave the interviewer wanting to learn more about your story.
Acing your online interview is easy when you know what to do.
Melissa Smith has been working remotely since 2013. In 2017, she became location independent. During that time she traveled to 16 countries in 12 months while running her business.
Now Melissa teaches and consults others on how to work remotely, specializing in the hiring process. You can learn more about working with Melissa at melissasmith.io
Additionally, Melissa and is an author and mentor for the first global, online education remote individual certification program with Remote-how Academy, as well as the Founder & CEO of the Association of Virtual Assistants and The PVA. She is also the bestselling author of Hire the Right Virtual Assistant and Become A Successful Virtual Assistant.
Melissa has since gained international recognition and has been featured in Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and many others.
