How to Prepare for A Positive Virtual Job Interview

In order to stand out in a virtual interview try thinking both inside and outside of the standard interview norms for an in-person interview.

A positive job interview can be characterized as performing and articulating your specific talents during the interview process that sets you apart and lands you the job!

The secret to a successful interview begins with these three steps:

• Comprehensively research the company before the meeting.

The preliminary step in laying the groundwork to the job interview is to research and find everything you can on the business where you applied. Carefully examine the job description and determine what the employer is looking for in an employee. Do you meet or exceed their requirements? Begin to compose good notes and review them often. Well prepared notes will also equip you for a pre-screening phone interview if there is one.

You can never do too much research regarding the position, duties, its place in the company’s culture, and, most importantly – its role in achieving the company’s mission. To that end, ensure you know and fully understand the company’s mission statement because it is probably one of the most critical items in learning a company’s culture. Is the company numbers-driven? Or, are they customer fulfillment driven? Familiarizing yourself with the company’s culture might also include checking to see if they display a diversity statement. A company that visibly presents a diversity statement is one that does not discriminate against job candidates during the employment process.

• Prepare for the interview by taking part in one or more mock interviews.

When preparing to take part in one or more “mock” interviews, make the interview experience as practicable as possible. Dress and equip yourself as though you are going to a “real in-person” meeting, including bringing your up-to-date portfolio information and multiple copies of your updated resume. Ensure that your “pseudo” interviewer asks you at least 20 of the most common behavioral interview questions. If possible, have someone record your practice interview so that you can review and hear how you perform, look, and sound. Do you give the impression of being composed, or do you look ill at ease? If you feel you appear uncomfortable or self-conscious, start the simulated interview over and try smiling (yes, a fleeting smile can help alleviate anxiety).

And finally:

• Develop answers to the questions asked, which clearly articulate why you should be the interviewer’s candidate of preference.

You will soon become aware that the more you practice, the less distraught you will be for the actual interview. Fine-tune your vocal tones as you answer the mock interviewer’s questions. Rehearse and ascertain how to modulate your voice to place emphasis and enthusiasm on noteworthy information you want to express to the employer. Learn to speak in a lower, measured intonation in other portions of the interview. Once the interviewer has ended their part of the conversation and asked if you have any questions for them, have several well-developed questions ready regarding the job or the company. But, remember that salary and benefits are a segment of a subsequent future interview and should not be broached in the “initial interview” unless brought up by the employer.

Finally, end every interview with a Thank you to your interviewer(s) and always with a genuine smile.

A great virtual job interview accomplished!

Picture Source: Adobe Stock