By Muhammod Abu Sayed
Virtual Interviews
By Mary-Jo Appaqaq, E&P Assistant Manager
Virtual interviews are firmly entrenched in the recruitment processes of modern-day companies, so it is well worth being aware of the etiquette that could make or break your virtual interview. As with an in-person interview, much of this advice is preparation.
Before you even think about your device, make sure you prepare for the virtual interview with the same thoroughness you would for an in-person interview. Learn about the company, familiarise yourself with the job description, think of some good questions, and above all make sure you know your CV front to back, upside down and inside out. Be sure to select an outfit that is smart from head to toe. You never know if you might have a technical fault and might have to get up. You wouldn’t want your pyjama bottoms holding you back!
When it comes to the device that you’ll be using to join the meeting, remember: Lights, Camera, Angles! Ahead of the interview, check these aspects. You don’t want to be adjusting anything when you’re in front of the panel. You could even call a friend to make sure everything looks right. Make sure you’re well lit, even if it means kitting the space you’ll be doing your interview in with all the lamps you own. Position the lamps behind the device, allowing the light to flood onto your face and eliminate shadows. Make sure your device lens is clean and free of smudges and cracks. Finally, secure your device to a surface – you don’t want to be holding it in your hand or resting it on your lap. Check your angles by making sure the interviewers can see your whole face, and won’t be looking up your nose or something unsightly like that! Choose a quiet space with a neutral background. You don’t anything that could distract your interviewer. A plain wall or neat bookcase would be ideal.
Make sure the sound on your device is working correctly. In order to properly check this, create a dummy meeting on the same platform that your interview will be held on. It likely will not be on WhatsApp, so don’t be afraid to ask about the platform so that you can check it, and that you actually have it downloaded. Popular options include Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack and Skype. The last thing you want is to be fiddling with downloading and registering an account with 90 seconds to go before your interview.
Set yourself up 5 minutes beforehand, with your finger or cursor ready to join the meeting. Let anyone you live with know that they need to be quiet and supportive for the next 30-45 minutes.
The interview itself should go in much the same way as a face-to-face interview. Clearly answer all the questions as best you can, and with all the authenticity and truthfulness you would normally use. Just don’t, whatever you do, feed questions into an AI platform to help you with your answers. Everything should come from the heart, and if you don’t know the answer to a question, simply say so and ask for further clarification or move on to the next one. Thank the interviewers for their time before signing out, and make sure to send a follow-up email about an hour later, thanking them again.
