Ace the Virtual Interview
Hello, my name is Neva Pierre and I'm the Sub Career Specialist in the Career Center at Kingsborough Community College. Today we're going to learn how to prepare and be successful in a virtual interview. Virtual interviews are fast becoming the first step and the job recruitment process. They allow companies to cast a wide net screen candidates and now the field to the most qualified candidates. Let's review some tips to help you prepare for your virtual meeting and eventually help you get that job offer. Before you begin, I recommend testing your equipment, check your Internet connectivity, and confirm your camera and microphone are working. Being text savvy is one of the top ten shades employers look for. Then you need to set the stage. Minimize all distractions. Find a room with good lighting, preferably near a window or a blank wall. Turn off the TV, silence your cell phone, and close all nearby windows. Sit down, prepared, research the company, and take notes for easy reference. Because you want to look focused and ready to answer any question that may come your way. Practice, practice, practice. You do not want to memorize your answers, but rather come a course as natural as possible, whether answering or asking questions or giving your elevator pitch. Always practice with friends or family members and you also want to update your resume and have it reviewed. You can also schedule a mark interview with a career advisor and practice via Big interview. You also want to remember to come up with questions for the interview. Pay attention to your body language. You may not be able to shake the hiring manager's hand or easily show enthusiasm via video, but you can monitor your body language. The main way to show confidence is to sit up straight, smile, and keep your camera at eye level. Research shows that employers are more likely to remember what you said if you maintain eye contact. You also want to dress for success for your virtual interview. Dress as you would for an person interview. For example, men might wear a button up shirt, laser and black or khaki pants, while women should wear a dress, pencil skirt, and blouse dressing professionally. We'll show you are serious about the position, but there are personal benefits as well. Studies show that people feel powerful, trustworthy, and competent when wearing formal business attire. It is very important to make a connection with your interviewer. You can do that by sharing a story about a common interest. You want the interviewer to be able to remember a personal story you told or common interest you shared. By doing this, you will help to separate yourself from the other candidates. Also, remember to be yourself. It is difficult to understand your enthusiasm through a screen, so make sure to let your expression shine through when answering questions because you want to show that you are the best fit for this job. Remember to ask questions about the company's culture and thank the employer for their time. You should follow up within 24 H following your interview by sending an email to everyone that you met with on the interview. It will show that you value the interviewer's time, but also it will provide you the opportunity to resell yourself and share any points you might have forgotten to cover during the interview. Or cover any unique strengths you did not mention at the interview. Send a thank you letter via email and remember to proof read it. Spelling and grammatical errors. Remember, preparation is key to acing virtual interview by ensuring your technology is working properly. Conducting research before the meeting, sitting down at your computer, poised and ready for any all questions will help set you apart from the other candidates. Treat a virtual interview with the same level of professionalism as you would. An person interview. Schedule an appointment with one of our career advisors to practice. We'll be waiting. Thank you.