Online interview has taken a forefront in the past few years and is becoming even more popular during this pandemic. Various online platforms like Skype, Zoom, Webex, Google meet are being utilised for this purpose. The interview can be conducted either through webcam or through recorded audio questions. The system has both pros and cons. It saves time and money on the one hand while, on the other, it might not always give a total picture of the candidate due to technical glitches, poor network issues or poor audio – video output.
10 tips for online Interview
The candidate needs to keep in mind a few important strategies to crack the online interview.
- Select a proper device: A proper device needs to be chosen before appearing for the Online interview. The device should be equipped with a proper and clear audio – video system so that the candidate can face the interview without any technical glitch and can be clearly visible and audible in front of the interviewer. Make sure headphone & mic are working properly.
- Conducive background / environment: The background needs to be well – lighted with minimal articles (preferably blank and single/light coloured wall) so that the interviewer can put the entire focus on the interviewee and not on a colourful or kaleidoscopic background. Try to ensure that any person or family member might not intrude onto the area or room where the interview is going on.
- Minimal background noise: There should not be any background noise to disturb the online interview – process. All kinds of background noise to be suppressed to allow the interview process to go on smoothly and to make the interviewee clearly audible to the interviewer. Any sort of sound of TV set, radio or other chaos must not be present during the online interview. Try to put them off or in silent / mute mode.
- Well – groomed and properly dressed: The candidate must be well – groomed and officially dressed for the online interview from head to toe. The thought that only the upper portion of the body will be visible in front of the camera should be eliminated and the dressing should be done accordingly.
- Knowledge of the platform of interview: Before the interview, the candidate must be aware of the platform through which the online interview is scheduled to be conducted and should download or keep ready the platform or the app in the mobile or laptop. The candidate must ensure that he / she is well – aware of the platform and is well – accustomed with it as well.
- Rehearse and practice: Through 2 – 3 times of rigorous rehearsal and practice before the actual online interview, the interviewee can gain expertise and become well – accustomed with this new technique and thus become confident on the final day.
- Ensure proper network connectivity: It should be ensured that the place of the interview has excellent network connectivity so that the online interview is not disrupted in-between and the words of the interviewer as well as the interviewee reach each other clearly without any technical or connectivity issues. The internet connectivity should be strong enough and the devices used for the interview need to be fully charged in order to smoothly continue the online interview process.
- Positive body language and unswerving posture: A positive body language should be projected and a proper sitting arrangement should be kept for the candidate to sit in a straight and upright posture. Under no circumstance should any casual or lethargic attitude be portrayed in front of the interviewer. The candidate should be careful not to nurture any relaxed mentality at the back of the mind as it would be easily comprehensible to the interviewer.
- Maintain eye contact: Direct and positive eye contact should be maintained with the interviewer to display confidence and seriousness at the interview panel. The candidate should look in to the camera directly and not anywhere else. This would represent that the candidate is sure-footed and is deft enough for the online interview.
- Project confident and calm attitude: The candidate should be free from all distractions and excitements all around him / her. Instead he / she should project a confident and calm attitude to be successful in the online interview. The interviewee must bear in mind that although the environment may not be official, the interview is, and every possible technique needs to be applied to come out with flying colours at the end of the interview.
While these are not the ultimate tips, but not the ones to ignore, too. Online Interview is not new in the practice, but recent situations made it wide. As we can see in the below video by Primal Career, which is over a year old, emphasising some of the common mistakes to avoid.
During Covid19 pandemic and in the years to come, online interview would be preferable to the interviewers, for which the candidate needs to be thoroughly prepared as well. These few basic tips would improve a candidate’s success in the online interview.
