A candidate logs into a video interview two minutes late, still in a crumpled T-shirt with a laptop balanced on their bed and a phone buzzing beside it. Halfway through the first question, the connection drops. The candidate had prepared answers, but not the setting. The interviewer, watching a frozen screen, has already formed an impression you do not know.
Scenes like this are becoming more common. Technology has become ingrained in today's world, and hiring has not been left behind. In 2022, about 55% of respondents in Criteria's Hiring Benchmark Report said they use video interviewing. Today, video platforms are more stable and easier to use, with better picture quality and features such as background blurring and live captions. Interviews are no exception, with many now moving to the virtual plane for various reasons. Be it a boss who feels an in-person meeting isn't necessary, or a candidate who finds online less stressful, a virtual interview held with the same importance as a face-to-face one can still produce great results.
However, several factors, from the setting to the technology used, come into play when preparing for one. A common concern is that because the interviewer is not physically present, candidates may treat the interview as less important and do as they please, whether that means logging in late, dressing casually or ignoring distractions.
This article outlines the best practices that help candidates take virtual interviews just as seriously.
Every mistake in that opening scene could have been avoided with a little preparation. The practices below cover what to do before and during the call, starting with the one that matters most: your setting.
Your setting speaks before you do
First impressions matter, and your setting proves it. In the opening scene, a message has already been sent to the interviewer that the candidate does not take the opportunity seriously. It speaks louder than words, even before you begin to present yourself. Since this is an interview, you must be seated in a place befitting one. Your background must be tidy and free of clutter, and your surroundings quiet, so that nothing distracts from what you are saying. A plain wall or a neat corner of a room is enough. You want the interviewer to have a clear view of your face, so lighting matters as well.
Don't let technology catch you off guard
Setting has been covered, but what if, after everything has been arranged accordingly, your technology fails you? No worries. The best way to deal with technology is to plan ahead and have backups. You can never be too sure that your technology will follow the script. Before you sit down to log in to the meeting, make sure your device is fully charged, so that you are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. Internet connectivity is just as important. You may have the device, but without a stable connection, there is nothing to link you to the interview. Even worse, it may begin to lag at a crucial moment. Test your connection, microphone and camera beforehand, and keep a backup ready, such as a mobile hotspot, in case the main one fails.
What you wear still matters
Technology and setting may be in place, but there is one more thing the interviewer sees before you say a word: you. Recall the candidate in the crumpled T-shirt. Dress is the next practice to get right.
Dress codes have been undermined by the comfort of being at home. Because only your upper half is on screen, many candidates see no need to dress fully for the occasion. Dress as you would for an in-person interview. Smart, neat clothing tells the interviewer that you respect the opportunity, and it can help you feel more focused too. Choose simple, solid colours over busy patterns, which can look distracting on camera. Finally, consider the role and the company. A bank and a creative agency may expect different levels of formality, so a little research beforehand helps you choose well.
Punctuality is non-negotiable
Combating lateness is imperative, as it can easily destroy your chances of being hired. An interview being virtual does not give you the authority to treat it as a personal task. Set alarms if necessary, and make it a point to be punctual, because the interviewer may link how you handle the interview to how you would handle their work once hired. Aim to log in five to ten minutes early, so that you have time to settle and fix any last-minute problems.
How you carry yourself once the call begins
Being on time gets you through the door, but how you carry yourself once the interview begins is what keeps you there.
Remove distractions. Remember the phone buzzing beside the candidate in our opening scene? Silence your notifications, close unused tabs and apps, and let the people around you know not to interrupt.
Mind your body language. Sit upright, facing the screen, not lying down or slouched on a bed. Keep a pleasant expression, and look into the camera when you speak, not at your own image, since that is what reads as eye contact to the interviewer. Natural gestures are fine, but avoid fidgeting or looking away at every pause.
Speak clearly. Talk slightly slower than you normally would, and take a brief pause before answering so that your response is calm and well thought out. After all, a virtual interview leaves the interviewer with only your face and your voice to judge, so both should show that you are focused and prepared.
The takeaway
A virtual interview may take place from the comfort of your home, but it deserves the same seriousness as one held in person. A well-prepared setting, reliable technology, appropriate dress, punctuality and calm, clear delivery all send the same message: that you value the opportunity. The candidate in our opening scene had the answers but not the preparation, and it cost them. At JADE Consult, we help professionals build their careers, and that includes making sure you show up ready for every interview, whether it is across a table or across a screen. Reach out to JADE Consult today and make your next virtual interview count.