DON’T Be a Virtual Interview Flop

 Follow these tips for making a strong first impression during online conversations. 

A few years ago, you probably never thought you’d be tasked with turning your bedroom into a boardroom before a job interview. And if you did, it’s probably time to start buying lottery tickets or offering palm readings. 

For those of us without a crystal ball, adjusting to professional changes caused by the pandemic can still be surprising and challenging, and one such trend that isn’t going anywhere is virtual interviewing. 

Nearly all firms use virtual formats for early round interviews, meaning candidates are tasked with making strong first impressions without ever meeting their interviewer in person. It might seem like a breeze to nail an interview when you’re in your own space and controlling your own environment. But the reality is that it’s just easier to make a connection in-person—by shaking someone’s hand, holding eye contact, or uplifting the energy of the room. 

With virtual interviews, all these bond-forming habits must be replicated or replaced if you really want to stand out from the digital herd. Seemingly small details can dramatically affect how a potential employer perceives your candidacy, for better or worse. 

Thankfully, making a strong and genuine impression in a virtual conversation isn’t impossible. With practice and sound strategy, you can make interviewers feel like you’re right there in the room with them. Maintain your Maverick Mindset the next time you’re being interviewed virtually by remembering these tips: 

• DO turn your camera on. Hold on, can I get a, “DUH?” Is being invisible an option during in-person interviews? No—so it shouldn’t be an option for virtual interviews, either. It seems obvious, but an interviewer can’t assess your level of engagement if they can’t see you. You don’t want to leave a potential employer wondering if your camera is off because you’re distracted, on the move, unprepared, or even uninterested. Let your interviewer see that you understand the value of their time (and the opportunity) 
• DO pay attention to lighting. You want your interviewer to be able to read your energy and body language. And what’s critical for reading? Light. Sitting in low lighting or in front of a window can make it hard for interviewers to see you. In addition, poor lighting can lead to a reduced video frame rate, meaning you might appear delayed or in slow motion on the interviewer’s screen. Video interviews work best when they simulate in-person conversations as much as possible, and a lagging screen can result in confusion and frustration. Have a direct source of light in front of or above you so your video will be clear and smooth. Better yet, invest in an LED panel light or ring light to illuminate your background. 
• DO come in with research-based questions. Oprah didn’t become Oprah by not doing her research. Asking informed, powerful questions—even when you’re the one being interviewed—shows a level of commitment and authority that interviewers will appreciate. Ask questions about the organization’s specific initiatives, recent achievements, and specific information that other candidates might not know. Not only does this give you an opportunity to determine whether the firm is a good fit for you, but it will also show the interviewer that you aren’t running through a pre-determined script you bring into every conversation. 
• DO bring energy and excitement. You don’t have to log on for your virtual interview with pom poms and a confetti canon. But a lack of participation and energy during a virtual interview will result in an unmemorable (and potentially awkward) conversation. Remember that the impression you deliver during your interview is what the employer will imagine you’ll bring to business meetings. Move around your space and listen to music that lifts your spirits a few minutes before the interview, or if you prefer to get into the right headspace, sit and meditate. Your passion and presence will linger with the interviewer as much as the information you convey—and it will likely excite them, too. 

• DON’T show a messy background. Don’t let that laundry pile you’ve been neglecting for two weeks cost you an opportunity. If your real setting is untidy or distracting, use a digital or blurred background. Even if it seems like organized chaos to you, it’s likely that your interviewer will only see the chaos. You don’t want a potential manager or colleague seeing a disorganized setting and assuming it translates to your performance at work.
• DON’T sit out of frame. Would the Mona Lisa be as captivating if she were only half visible? Apply principles of photographic composition to your interviews by making sure the most important subject (you) is centered and in the foreground. You don’t want the books on your shelf or the view outside your window to draw more attention than you. You’re demonstrating why you’re the best person for the job, and sitting in the center of the frame will ensure you’re being seen and heard before anything else. 
• DON’T multitask. Have you ever been in a virtual meeting with someone who’s clearly working on other projects or writing emails during the discussion? This might be an acceptable practice between colleagues during internal meetings, but multitasking—such as answering an email or IM—during a virtual interview is akin to texting during an in-person interview. It implies that, despite the importance of the conversation, you think something else is more important and more urgent. Your interviewer wants to be heard as much as you do, so give them your full attention even if you’re an expert multitasker. 

Be sure to bookmark this post and review our suggestions before your next virtual interview. These easy steps can be the make-or-break between you getting that opportunity or getting passed over. 

You know you’re a Maverick—so make sure your interviewer knows it, too. 

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