Mastering an Online Interview

There have been many changes to the way we do things recently, and with the rise in remote working, job interviews have also become increasingly held online, so you may find your next job interview is held over Zoom rather than a face-to-face interview.

Below, we discuss how you can master your online interview (also known as a video interview) and provide you with 5 essential tips to help you feel more settled in your interview.

If you missed our previous two articles in this series, we have included them below.

• Interview Series 1/3 – How to prepare for an interview.
• Interview Series 2/3 – How to follow up after an interview.

Prepare for your interview by reading our common interview questions and answers article.

5 online interview tips

Video interviews are a popular choice with organisations, as they are both effective and efficient, methods to get to know you better, discuss the job role, and see if you’re a good organisational fit, without having to physically bring you into the building. These is also beneficial for you as the interviewee, as you will reduce travel time and can use that time for preparing for your interview (including researching the company you’re interviewing for).

Be prepared.

It’s important to be as organised and prepared as you can, as your time may be limited, and you must work to get your personality across over video and sell your skill set. Preparation includes researching the company, their products, the industry they work within, and their key achievements. You should also test your technical equipment during your preparation stage, which includes Wi-Fi connection, headset/speakers/microphone, webcam, audio, and camera settings. One other thing to consider, is choosing a clear background that is not distracting.

Be punctual.

Just because you do not need to travel to your interview doesn’t mean you should arrive just on time for it. Make sure you are at least 10 minutes early. Being early to your interview gives you that extra time to double-check your connection.

Speak clearly, slowly, and listen carefully.

The advancements in technology over the last few has been phenomenal, and the likelihood is your speakers and microphone on whatever device or computer you are using will be excellent. That said, video interviews still throw up some issues, such as poor connections (from either side), video lag, or freezing, so be sure to speak clearly and take time with your responses. Be sure to enunciate your words for best results. It can be easy to cut people off mid-sentence, so be sure to listen carefully, so you can respond at the right times. Try to minimise and cutting in, as this could be considered rude, or show you’re nervous. You must show that you are an effective communicator.    

Dress appropriately.

Just because you are not meeting in person, this does not permit you to ‘dress down’ for your interview. Wear the same outfit you would in your face-to-face interview. This is especially true for anyone thinking about just dressing appropriately from the waist up. Not only will this help you mentally prepare for your interview, but it will also show that this interview is important to you.

Think about your body language.

This can be harder to control, and you may have some habits that you will need to work on before your interview. Negative body language can show that you are nervous or unprepared, so it’s best to try and give off as many positive, confident body language signals as possible.

We have outlined negative body language signals below, and provided alterative suggestions:

• Fidgeting in your seat – Instead sit upright and face forward.
• Slouching – Sit upright in your chair, with your shoulders back and chest out.
• Clearing your throat or coughing – Try to drink water before your interview, to avoid a dry throat.
• Not making eye contact – Make a conscious effort to look into the eyes of your interviewer, even if you find it uncomfortable (which many people do).  
• Having your arms crossed or fidgeting with your hands – Appear engaged and interested by sitting with your hands lightly clasped together.

Review our job interview tips article to prepare fully for your next interview.

What to avoid in online interviews

Preparation is the key to online interview success. To help you improve your chances of a successful interview, we have outlined three things you must avoid during your interview:

Unwanted interruptions

While you may think it’s cute that your cat, dog, or child has burst in and joined you for your interview, this is usually considered to be unprofessional and unacceptable. Aim to have suitable care during your interview time slot, to avoid this happening.  

Acting too casual

Things like reclining in your seat, eating, changing, playing on your phone or games console are all unacceptable during your interview. Remain professional throughout your full interview and give the interviewer your full attention.

Poor background or location

As mentioned above, ensure your background and surrounding area is clean, well-lit, and most importantly – quiet.

Not taking the interview seriously

This is your chance to show the company’s representative why the business should choose you. Not being dressed appropriately, having messy hair, or having an argumentative or rude demeaner is a sure way not to progress onto the next stage.

All the above are within your control, so use our advice to help improve your chances of progression and help boost your confidence for your next job interviews.

Avoid these other common interview mistakes.

If you’re looking to undertake professional training to land your dream job or advance your career, call our team on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 and one of our Course Consultants will be happy to talk through your training options. Alternatively, fill out our contact form and we will be in touch shortly.