Nowadays, each company prioritise online interviews as it regulates the hiring process and allows the HR recruiters to get connected with candidates from various cities. In case you are seeking a job, you will need an active participation in an online interview. Knowing the basic difference between traditional and online methods may help candidates on how to prepare for a phone interview.
In this article, we discuss some vital tips and advice for an online job interview which will help you to perform better.
Let us roll out this topic, by understanding the concept of online job interview
What is an Online Job Interview or Virtual Interview?
An online job interview is an interview that companies conducting via an online chat video or audio platform or platforms like ZOOM and Google meet etc. It helps companies to change regular methods of interviewing in multiple ways. In online interviews, the interviewer arranges the interview as if it were in person, via video calls on a computer with an Internet connection.
Because online interviews depend on strong Internet connection, it is vital for both sides to have a good Internet connection.
Different Types of Online Interviews
Companies can hire the best employees with the help of the Internet. Candidates can benefit from knowing the different types of online interviews and how they work. Find here two types of online interviews which many companies use to hire new employees:
1. One way video interviews
An employer offers candidates with text-based questions during online interview. Candidates then submit a recorded video of themselves giving answers those questions.
These types of interviews are also called asynchronous as the employer and the candidate both acts sole. Candidates record and answer the questions as per their convenience and then submit to the interviewer. Companies mainly provide their own applications for arranging one-way interviews.
2. Two-way live video interviews
Employer and candidate get connected over a video call in this type of interview. During the online video interviews, the applicants meet face-to-face via a webcam over special software that the companies use i.e. Google meet or Zoom etc. With two-way video interviews, both the candidate and interviewer can interact via a video call that supports text and presentations facilities.
How to Prepare for Online Interviews?
Here are some main steps helping you to prepare smartly for online job interviews:
1. Develop Your Communication Skills
You will be able to learn how to look confident and centered in an internet interview if you try practicing improving your communication. It will eventually even teach you the places where you are strong while you also learn the areas for improvement. Always watch for your pauses after answering questions in your online interviews.
Deliver the answers on the basis of your knowledge and instincts rather than memorising them. This can be a main concern over which employers may judge a candidate during online interviews. Make yourself by being at ease and fixing your posture before the video call.
2. Test and Use Gadgets and Equipment
Candidates may attend online interviews with a laptop or a computer (PC). Become well conversant with the technology used for online interviews. Learn more about the software that recruiters using for the interview. Try the beta of the software to learn how it works. Disable notifications on your computer and select the interview location that should disrupt you the least.
3. Check Room Lightning and Sound Quality
It is important to have good and natural light during your online interview time. Use a direct lightening source towards your face if natural light is not there. Be sure about your computer’s in-built speakers and microphone’s working. Mic accessories could enhance the quality of sound. Remove echoes and background noise which may interrupt the interview. Make it sure that, the room has soft furniture which can absorb some unwanted sounds.
4. Be a good Listener
Pay close attention during the interview so you do not miss anything important. In case you miss anything, ask again. You can ask or request to repeat the question with which you are not familiar or not heard earlier.
5. Follow Up upon Interview
Retain a positive attitude within the interview. You may ask about the steps before the interview sum ups. Be professional when asking questions. By asking relevant questions, you show that you are very keen in the interview. You can express your thanking to the interviewer for the given opportunity. You may think for writing an email to thank him.
Additional Tips for Preparing for Online Interviews
Getting prepared for online interviews can be little different from preparing for in-person interviews. Find here some additional tips and advice for you that can help in performing better at online interviews:
1.Dress up Professionally
First impressions make all the difference, and as such, you should opt to don nothing but formal business attire at your interview. This will convey to potential employers that you are a true professional. Of course, the suit, shirt, or blouse that you decide to wear should make you feel good as well, and the same principle applies to a casual interview at a more relaxed company, in which you should wear a business casual top or shirt.
2.Learn about the Organisation
You need to do some digging around the company that you’re interviewing for. It’s going to provide you with some good interview fodder. If you understand more about the culture and history of the company, then you’ll also have the ability to ask better questions. You can refer company’s website and gain some insights.
Other than knowing the company’s history, prepare the benefits, company will be getting due to your hiring.
Refer the job description with utmost care and identify those points related to the work culture, deadlines and working hours.
3.Create a Strong Presence
A good frontman can work for both face to face and on-line interviews. Keep yourself professional for interviewing and portfolio work. Retain yourself to look more professional in interviews and portfolios. Sending a CV can be the first step to representing yourself to the company. Make sure your CV makes a strong presence.
With a professional portfolio and knowing each point in your professional portfolio will be helpful when an interviewer asks you questions about it.
4.Consider your body language
Your body language may represent a lot about your thoughts and intentions. Use of wide hand gestures while explaining exciting points during the interview can create a positive impact. Using the right body language may support in building the trust. Other than the hand gestures, making an eye contact is a non-verbal communication that can be a big factor in deciding your performance in an online interview.
Many employers consider eye contact as a good asset in candidates as it reflects self-confidence and self-esteem. Do not stare at the screen and maintain your focus on the webcam and stay engaged.
5.Keep your job Search Organised
In case you are applying to so many jobs at a time, it can be tough to keep track of which company you’re in discussions. There are various ways to stay organised. You must select the right approach which is directly suitable to you.
Although you found a job posting anywhere, you can insert it to your account and keep the updated status of the same. Niyukjobs helps candidates for the most organised job search in their respected skillsets.
6.Highlight or Write Down the Skills in the job description
By taking note of the phrases, terms you might want to use in your replies to you can tailor your answers to the employer’s requirements. For example, if you were applying to a job that needs data-driven problem solving, you are expected to be asked about your analytical skills.
An answer from your side may be this:
“Analytical problem solving is which I’ve practiced throughout in my career. In my current role, I use data on campaign performance to do changes to our email strategy. I am quite able to detect a cause and an effect in any given situation which is very important to reach out to our goals.”
Practise of short and to the point answers is a must to face a brief interview.
Which Virtual-Centric Mistakes to Avoid during Online Interviews?
1.Phone Availability during Interview
You need to turn off your phone, as there may be a call in between the interview or a WhatsApp notification after every 40 seconds will distract both –you and the interviewer. You need to put it top side down on the table. Flight mode is preferred rather than silent mode due to vibrations occur for incoming calls and messages.
2.Open Place for Interview
Select a quiet place or room corner or a room at your place for interview. So that, there should not be any disturbance during the interview call, and you need not to intervene or talk with your family in between for their restricted entry between the call. This will attract professionalism value to your side and will maintain the decorum of the interview process.
3.Reading Answers off a Google Doc
If you will try to keep your google notes or docs open during the interview call, it will be realised soon or later during the call. Also, they can see your eyes moving from left to right like reading lines. Your voice changes also during the reading. It is different from speaking voice. More measured. It sounds like narration, and not conversation. If you want to use notes nearby, then try to use in ‘Sticky note’ and Post-it next to your camera lens with 4 to 5 trigger words.
Stick a Post-it next to your camera lens with 4 to 5 trigger words. “Mumbai. CA internship. 8 clients. Tally. Account’s role.” Not full lines. Not paragraphs. Words that tap your memory so you can speak in natural tone rather than reading artificially.
4.Camera Issues
“My camera isn’t working” said by a candidate with perfect audio, stable connection, and a screen-shared presentation in HD. The interviewer knows the camera works. You know that they know. The pretence helps no one.
Unless the recruiter explicitly tells “camera off is okey.” (happens sometimes in bulk hiring drives or when the role is full remote and the company culture is genuinely relaxed about it), maintain it on. Camera off in a virtual interview is the equivalent of showing up to an in-person interview and sitting behind a frosted glass partition. The interviewer wishes to see you. Your expressions and your engagement. Also, the evidence that you’re a real human being attentive during the interview. Camera off removes all and replaces it with a grey circle and a first initial observation. That’s not a candidate. That’s an absence.
Conclusion
There is nothing better that makes you more confident and successful through the hiring process as when you know how to prepare for a phone interview. Be it a traditional phone call, or Video Interview or Virtual interview or an online interview, if you are ready enough, you will deliver in a crystal clear and convincing manner and convince all the recruiters of the company.
Virtual interview meaning is also quite necessary these days, as many companies consider and use remote hiring procedure for speedy and flexible hiring. By following easy to apply steps such as having sufficient information of the company, confirming the availability of net, making your space quiet, practicing all interview questions; it is easier to crack these types of interviews.
