If it’s been months since you participated in a face-to-face interview, you aren’t alone.
Virtual interviews have become the go-to way for hiring managers to vet candidates. Considering that 74% of recruiters find video interviews make the hiring process easier, they’re likely here to stay.
By adhering to best practices for remote interviewing, you can impress recruiters and improve your employment opportunities. Use these five tips to keep your interview professional and stress-free.
Clean Your Space
Whether you’re interviewing via phone or Zoom, your environment should have good reception and no distractions. If possible, take the call in a private room where the chance of background noise is minimal.
If your interview is over video, tidy the surrounding area and remove distracting objects from the camera’s view.
Hold a Rehearsal
Prepare yourself by coming up with responses to standard interview questions ahead of time. Common topics to prepare for include employment goals, personal strengths and weaknesses, your ability to work as part of a team, how you overcome challenges in the workplace, and addressing gaps in your resume. You should always plan your interview responses according to the business and type of job for which you are interviewing.
Test your microphone and camera before a video interview so you won’t have to troubleshoot during the call. Position the camera so it is level with your face. If you wear glasses, adjust your lighting to prevent glare.
Practice speaking into the camera, watching your posture and natural mannerisms. You should appear professional and engaged onscreen.
Stay Focused
During the interview, give the hiring manager your full attention. Stay engaged and interested. Try to limit voluntary fidgeting, checking your watch, multi-tasking, and unnecessary background noise. If you’re on a video call, maintain eye contact by looking into the camera.
It’s often difficult to read cues during a virtual interview. You can avoid interrupting by waiting a moment after the interviewer asks a question to make sure they’ve finished speaking.
Be Confident
Speaking with confidence is critical to nailing an interview. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or you’re reentering the workforce after some time away, showing conviction in your abilities leads interviewers to take you seriously as a candidate.
Send a Thank-You Email
Finally, while you should always thank the hiring manager at the end of your interview, it’s a good idea to follow up with an additional thank-you message. This is a great opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and highlight a few of your key strengths as a match with the position requirements.
Recruitment professionals speak to dozens of candidates each week. Sending a short, courteous email to thank the interviewer for their consideration helps you stand out from the recruitment pool.
Call ABBTECH Today!
ABBTECH places IT professionals in positions with small businesses, startups, and Fortune 500 companies nationwide and has nearly 30 years of experience in staff augmentation services.
Start your job search with ABBTECH today and connect with an experienced recruiter. Once we find a great match for your skill set, our personnel can assist you with every stage of the placement lifecycle.