5 tips you need for your virtual job interview

HR 101: A CEO shares 5 tips for acing a virtual job interview

March 23, 2022 2:18 PM

As people explore job options and career shifts, they also have to tackle the world of remote hiring, where it’s likely they will not physically meet anyone from their company until they get the job.

A survey by Society for Human Resource Management found that 93% of employers expect to use virtual interviews in the future, regardless of the pandemic. And while interviews over live video calls may seemingly mimic the in-person experience, candidates should not assume all the same rules apply, says Sunny Saurabh, CEO of hiring software company Interviewer.AI.

“Physical interviews are all about likeability — people can rely more on their gut instincts in a 3D environment,” says Saurabh. “But when it comes to virtual, it’s hard to gauge candidates like that because you’re in a 2D box.”

Saurabh believes virtual interviews may help eliminate cognitive biases, especially during one-way video interviews, which are often used as preliminary screening. Every candidate answers the same questions in their own time, submits their recorded responses, and is reviewed by multiple team members.

However, there’s no escaping two-way interviews, which usually follow the preliminary screening. So, how can candidates prepare themselves for interviews in that 2D box? Saurabh offers five tips that lead to success on-screen.

Consider your physical environment

Unlike an in-person interview, the candidate has control over what the interviewer sees and doesn’t. Saurabh suggests using that to their advantage.

“For example, if I put a guitar behind me, I just gave the interviewer the chance for a great icebreaker,” he says. “They can ask me about music and get to know me a bit.”

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That being said, backgrounds should still be simple, with only a few appropriate hints of a candidate’s personality. Saurabh stresses that candidates remember that anything within the video frame can be used to assess whether they will be the right fit for the company.

Check your tech

Saurabh advises candidates to test lighting, sound and network connectivity before jumping on the interview.

“You should ask yourself if you have enough light in your room or if there’s a light source that could be distracting,” Saurabh says. “Make sure the sound is audible enough, and it’s capturing your voice consistently.”

Looks still matter

While a virtual interview may feel less formal, that doesn’t mean one’s wardrobe or posture should be. Saurabh encourages candidates to match the company's dress code, whether that means a blazer or just a nice button-up. Beyond the outfit, candidates should be especially aware of their body language.

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“People are still looking for physical cues, so candidates should be aware that interviewers can see their face, shoulders and hands,” says Saurabh. “Your physicality can communicate energy and passion.”

Saurabh specifically points to posture, explaining that when a person is leaning back, their voice tends to be more relaxed. On the other hand, when someone is upright, their voice can appear more energetic. Candidates should also not place themselves too close to the camera — interviewers should at least be able to see their shoulders.

Although the interview is virtual, the interviewer is real

Saurabh notes that candidates can seem unfocused or uninterested during virtual interviews because they forget to direct their energy toward the camera.

“You need to imagine you’re talking to a real person in front of you,” says Saurabh. “Focus on the camera and speak to that person, not the air.”

Saurabh also warns against being too scripted — another common mistake, since the candidates have the ability to keep notes by their side. Instead of stringing together a lot of words in little time after hearing a question, Saurabh encourages candidates to be more purposeful in their responses.

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“Every question is trying to measure a certain competency that’s required for the job,” says Saurabh. “Take a pause, consider the motivation behind the question and then talk.”

Care about the company

While this note goes for in-person interviews too, it can be especially challenging to communicate passion through a screen. One sure-fire way to do so is to delve into the company’s history, mission and goals, and bring that knowledge into responses, explains Saurabh. Whether someone is introverted or just nervous, they can show they care in their words.

“Interviewers consider what lengths have you gone to prepare for this interview and if you have done your research,” says Saurabh. “People just want to know whether you are really interested in joining their company.”