Virtual Job Interviews Best Practices

You may remember the Zoom cat filter video and whilst it’s on the more extreme end of what can go wrong, with more and more employers opting to have their potential employees interview and work remotely, technical difficulties can be an unwelcome occurrence. In most cases, the pros of interviewing online far outweigh the cons as it saves time, cuts out travelling and allows you to log on from almost anywhere.

If you have a virtual interview coming up, we have put together a handy list of best practices to ensure your meeting goes as smoothy as possible, giving you the very best chance of successfully getting that job. Let’s take a look.

Clean Up Your Backdrop and Lighting

In the same way as first impressions count in an in-person meeting, how you present yourself on camera has the same effect, just in a different way. It’s important to give yourself the best chance at your interview without your interviewer being distracted by other things. Prepare your space in advance by having a plain wall behind you if possible with the lighting in the room facing you and not behind you so they can see you clearly.

Prepare in the Same Way as a Face to Face Meeting

Having an interview online doesn’t make it any less important than an office based meeting, in fact, you will need to take extra steps to convey yourself in a good light via an online platform. Prepare the same way you would if you were visiting the interviewer in person. Ensure that you are smart and presentable and that you do a little research on the company and note any potential questions you have beforehand.

Test Your Internet Connection

Connection problems are off-putting to you and your potential employer and can even put an end to the meeting meaning you might have to do it again at a later date or set up a new in-person interview; at worst, they could cancel the interview altogether. Test your internet speed and connection before your meeting and if necessary, plug your PC directly into the router to avoid loss of signal.

Update Your Software Ahead of Time

We have all been there, two minutes before your proposed meeting time and suddenly your PC wants to update everything. If possible, login to your computer a few hours before your virtual interview and let it run any updates. If you haven’t logged into Zoom, Teams or Google Meets in a while, now is the time to do it so you are logged on and ready to go at the agreed time.

Keep Notes Short and in Bullet Points

If you would like to bring notes to your interview to keep you on track, consider using larger, bullet pointed notes which you can then print off. If your notes are clear and easy to read, this will allow you to stay on course if you are feeling under pressure and also won’t make it obvious that you are referring to notes.

Be Human and Break the Ice

Lastly, just remember your interviewer is human too, they aren’t looking to catch you out but just want make sure that your skills and experience match their expectations so they can find the best candidate for the job. Speak clearly, minimise your camera view so you can’t see yourself and look directly into the camera. Remember to be yourself and think about a couple of ice breakers you can use at the start of the interview to settle your nerves and get the conversation flowing.

We hope our list will help you with your next online interview. If you are still looking for work, whether remote or office based, our team can help. we have an extensive number of companies on our books that are looking for their perfect candidate. Talk to our friendly team here.

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LinkedIn Poll Results - February 2025

by Simon Clark • 17 February 2025

In our latest LinkedIn poll, we explored what professionals believe is the key to building a resilient career in today's ever-changing job market. The results highlight significant trends and preferences that are shaping the ways individuals approach their professional growth and stability. Dominating the responses, 'Flexibility/Adaptability' was identified by an impressive 67% of participants as the most crucial factor. This overwhelming consensus underscores the importance of being able to pivot and adjust to new challenges, environments, and technologies. In a world where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt is invaluable and often seen as more critical than any specific skill. 'Continuous Learning' also received notable attention, garnering 25% of the vote. This reflects a recognition that ongoing education and skill development are essential for keeping pace with industry innovations and remaining competitive in the job market. Interestingly, 'Specialisation in Niche Areas' was seen as key by 8% of respondents, suggesting that while having a specialised skill set is beneficial, it may not be perceived as the most important factor compared to adaptability and continuous learning. 'Networking' received 0% of the vote, a surprising result that might indicate a shift in perception about the value of professional networks, or perhaps it reflects a belief that other skills outweigh networking in terms of importance for career resilience. Stay tuned on our LinkedIn channel on 1st March 2025 for our next poll.

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by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 7 February 2025

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