Online job interviews have become common- How should you prepare?
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of things have changed. With the subsequent transition to a 100% remote workforce, Recruiting today looks very different than it did just a year ago. Online recruiting is here to stay as it brings diverse talent pools from anywhere in the world, increased productivity, retention and not to miss a smaller carbon footprint. In the meantime, on a micro-level, how can candidates prepare for a 100% virtual interview process?
For candidates, interviewing can be nerve-wracking whether it’s in person or virtual (of course, at Knoldus we believe it should also be an enjoyable experience), but there are some pros to interviewing remotely: more flexibility, no commute, and, most importantly, safety for everyone involved. Despite these pros, it’s important to remember that it’s ultimately still an interview. The same levels of preparation and professionalism apply to a virtual interview, maybe even more than in person, as interviewers may also be assessing whether or not a candidate has taken the time to ensure they’re demonstrating their readiness. But, don’t worry – we have a few tips on how to prepare for a successful online interview & how you can stand out from the crowd!
We asked some of our recruiters here at Knoldus to share advice on how to prepare for a successful virtual interview. Here are their top tips.
Before the interview
- Preparation is the foundation of a good interview. Your interview preparation should start with researching the organization, understanding the job requirement.
- Download the necessary software like the meeting platform & check your internet connection for a positive experience.
- Make sure you choose the optimal environment to conduct the interview which is noise & distractions free.
- Have thoughtful questions prepared for every stage of the interview. Many candidates inadvertently display a lack of interest by not researching and preparing questions. Asking the right questions allows both you and the interviewer to deep dive into whether or not Knoldus is a good fit for both sides.
During the Interview
- Be Punctual. Joining the meeting a few minutes early shows you are prepared and reliable.
- Professionalism is a powerful quality. Maintain it in every aspect.
- Set your phone to silent.
- Listening is just as important as answering questions. If you’re not paying attention, you’re not going to be able to give a good response. Take into consideration that there may be a slight delay in your conversation. When you finish giving your answers, leave a small window of time for comments from the person on the other end of the call.
After the interview
- Send ‘thank you’ emails to the folks you met with, if possible. Ask your recruiter to give you each interviewer’s email address or simply request that they pass along a ‘thank you” note to all of your interviewers.
- Follow up for feedback with your recruiter to see how the interview went. Always ask for the next steps in the process, if any. This shows that you’re invested in understanding your performance as a candidate and shows your interest in continuing in the process.
Either way, you look at it, virtual interviewing can be a breath of fresh air for candidates, assuming they’ve taken into consideration what’s unique about the process before, during, and after.
