Ace the Virtual College Interview

Taking into account offline practices for efficient online interviews

While many of us have been involved in a virtual interview, as either the interviewer or interviewee, these experiences typically have only lasted an hour or less. In light of COVID-19 and the various mandatory guidelines for institutions, they are turning to virtual campus interviews as a means to keep the admissions process moving forward. The virtual college admissions interview presents an opportunity to show off your less-tangible attributes- that certain je ne sais quoi unique to you: your verve, your emotional intelligence, your mature presence.

Of course, in order to let these unique qualities shine through, you’ll need to secure your understanding of the basics first before your, most likely, phone/ Zoom/ Skype/ FaceTime interaction with representatives from your prospective colleges. Obviously, an eight-hour, full interview day via a video platform is much different from a one-hour interview. While the same rules apply to location, background, your appearance, and limiting possible distractions, preparing for a full day of interviews in front of a computer screen has some unique challenges.

For many applicants, the prospect of meeting face-to-face (even virtually) with an admissions officer can be daunting- but it doesn’t have to be. With good preparation and a sound understanding of the process, you can ace your interview and leave a positive, lasting impression with your potential colleges. Here’s what you should know about any college interview:

Do still dress appropriately

Even though your interview is done virtually, the interviewer might not be able to see everything you’re wearing, and you will probably be in the comfort of your own home, do remember: it’s still an interview. Regardless of the location, continue to dress the part — just as if you were interviewing in person. That means wearing pants or a skirt, along with a formal shirt or top. Dressing up will exhibit your professionalism and convey to the interviewer that you take the opportunity seriously.

Do keep in mind things you wouldn’t in an offline interview

If this was an in-person interview, you would be sitting in the admissions office without needing to worry about Wi-Fi; however, since this has become the new normal for at least 2020, be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Keep your cell phone on silent mode, but close by, in case something does go wrong with your Internet connection. Make sure you’re in a spot with good lighting, minimal distractions, and no external noises.

Don’t keep any distractions in the background

When the big day arrives, make sure you’re on time to your virtual platform. Dress appropriately (at the least from the waist-up), have a clean (or at least appropriate) background for video chat, and maintain eye contact throughout the meeting.

Do maintain eye contact with the camera

Speaking of minimizing distractions, when you’re doing your virtual college interviews, it’s crucial that you maintain eye contact, so that your interviewer feels that you are engaged and interested. Even though it can be hard figuring out exactly where to look during a call, always look at the camera irrespective of where the interviewer is sitting or where your notes are, as you must not give them the idea that you’re focused elsewhere. It’s always good to practice in advance for any interview.

Do Prepare Questions for the Interviewer

Coming up with several questions of your own will help you learn more about the college and simultaneously imply that you have done your research. For example:

How does the college help students secure employment and/or prepare for graduate school?

If you could offer one piece of advice to an incoming student, what would that be?

Don’t focus too much on your notes

To prepare for interviews, whether virtual or traditional, you should do your research on the college you’re interviewing with and the positions you’re interviewing for; however, if you’ve taken notes during your research, avoid glancing at them — or any other written material — during your virtual interview. Your interviewer will notice that you’re distracted by something off-screen and will leave with a bad impression about you. The conversation should feel natural; you want the interviewer to get a good sense of your personality.

Troubleshoot technology ahead of time

After many months of living through the pandemic, you are likely to be familiar with most of the virtual communication platforms. However, it’s still a good idea to double-check your ability to login, audio settings, and camera settings prior to the start of the meeting. Think of it as the current equivalent to looking in the mirror one last time and popping a breath mint before entering a physical room.

Know your college

Peruse your prospective school’s website- particularly the pages of the site that focus upon the areas of your interest. Learn about the courses, professors, and extracurricular activities from which you would benefit if admitted.

Don’t Forget to Practice

As with a traditional interview, spend time practicing possible questions to maximize your confidence and preparedness during the interview. Be sure to prepare for all the standard questions like, “What’s your greatest strength and weakness?”. Furthermore, think about the various reasons why you want the specific curriculum and how your skill set will relate to it- because they are sure to inquire this information as well.

Don’t panic if something unexpected happens

Finally, remember that at the end of the day, things can potentially go wrong; nevertheless, do not fret. Don’t stress out in anticipation that anything less than ideal may occur; at the same time, prepare yourself. In an online interview, your Internet connection might falter, or you might encounter an unexpected incident that disrupts the interview; however, no matter what happens, do not panic. Calmly explain to the interviewer the situation that you’ve encountered; they will be more than understanding, I promise.

Ultimately, the key to acing a virtual interview is proper preparation. So, relax and use your college interview as an opportunity to enter a great conversation, learn a bit more about your prospective school, and let your intangible individuality radiate. Keep these pointers in mind, and you should be all set for a great interview. Good luck!

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