Virtual interviews allow companies to access a greater talent pool and give workers more employment opportunities. As a result, virtual interviews have become integral to the hiring process, and job seekers must become accustomed to them. Preparation goes beyond looking through free Microsoft Teams backgrounds — you must put yourself in the right mindset. Fortunately, the following tips can help.
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Researching the Company
The interviewer will expect you to know the basics about your potential employer, so do your research. Flubbing an easy question about the company’s industry or the advertised role won’t just lose you the job — it can also be quite embarrassing.
To avoid this, look at the business website and read about the company’s history. Take notes so you can review them later — you can even make a cheat sheet to keep off-camera.
If you can, look up the person who will be interviewing you. Many companies have employee bios on their websites. You can also check social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, to get a feel for who the interviewer is. This step can help you feel more comfortable since you won’t be at a complete disadvantage when you meet.
Having Your Own Questions Ready
Most interviews end with, “Do you have any questions?” You should always have some questions ready, as it shows your investment in the employment opportunity. This moment is also your chance to learn more about your role, company culture and other factors that impact whether you accept a job offer. The following are always solid questions to ask at the end of an interview:
- What are company events like?
- What are my fellow team member like?
- How does the company prioritize its mission and values?
Creating a Professional Image
Putting your best foot forward means looking the part, whether you attend an in-person or virtual interview. To promote a professional image, take care with your appearance:
- Wear work-appropriate attire.
- Make sure your outfit is clean and neat.
- Sit up straight, and don’t fidget.
Additionally, consider your surroundings with care. You should set up in a quiet space free of distractions. A home office is a great choice, but not feasible for everyone. If you don’t have a quiet corner available, you can reserve a room at your local library or coworking hub.
If you decide to interview in your home and want to protect your privacy, consider using a virtual background. You can find plenty of Google Meet backgrounds free images for this purpose.
Test Your Technology
You should set up your computer, headphones and other equipment ahead of time to ensure you’re not late to the interview. Ideally, you should test all your hardware and software about 20 minutes before the scheduled time, as that will give you time to troubleshoot if something isn’t working. While technical issues happen and most interviewers understand, you present a more competent image if you can pull off a seamless meeting.
With the above tips, you can knock your virtual interview out of the park. Now, it’s time to prepare your outfit, learn how to add virtual background in Teams, test out your microphone and remember that you’ve got this.