Over the course of the pandemic, many activities, including classes and interviews, have shifted online. Of course, online interviews weren’t unheard of before the lockdown began, but it’s become apparent that more and more interviewers have begun to utilize online platforms and technology in order to conduct their interviews. While this change does entail a lot of advantages far many of us during interviews, including wearing whatever we want on our lower halves or being able to reference online files easily, online interviews also pose several unique challenges.

Similar to an in-person interview, preparation for online interviews is crucial to performing well. Some ways you can prepare for an online interview include:

1. Just like any interview, prepare for the content of the interview in advance.

“Have some resources to reference during an interview such as your resume [and] know what types of questions the interviewer will ask you,” senior William Chen answered when asked about tips for being interviewed. 

This includes researching the topic or position the interview is about, rehearsing answers to potential interview questions, and preparing questions to ask the interviewer. More likely than not, in any type of interview, you’ll be asked to describe yourself and your strengths and weaknesses, your qualifications, and why you want the position you’re being interviewed for, so preparing for these questions beforehand can prevent awkwardly long silences. Many interviewers will also likely ask you about certain experiences in your life, such as a situation in which you were under a lot of pressure, what you did in a group project, or a tough decision you made, so it’s also not a bad idea to prepare some anecdotes in advance. 

2. Be comfortable with using the platform or software the interview will be conducted over.

Familiarize yourself with the sound and webcam quality, controls, and setup (if you plan on using headphones or a separate microphone) ahead of time to avoid technical issues with the software. Considering the unpredictability of technology, it would also be a good idea to contact your interviewer beforehand to lay out a backup plan in case any technical issues arise. 

3. Carefully consider how you want to present yourself beforehand.

Although the interview’s not taking place in person, you should still be mindful about the way you dress, at least from the waist up. The background of your video is also very important to how you are perceived by an interviewer. Ideally, your surroundings should be well-lit, clean, quiet, and with good internet connection. Be sure to find a quiet place for the interview, turn off your phone or alerts from any device, and clear away any distractions.

Although being adequately prepared for an online interview plays a huge part in your performance, there’s no doubt that what you actually do in the interview is also just as important:

1. Like all interviews, you should try to stay as calm as possible.

While interviews can be nerve-wracking, you’re far more likely to make a good impression on an interviewer if you present yourself as put-together and composed. Although it’s a bit of tall order, try to relax, and speak slowly and clearly to better get your point across, which is especially important nowadays because it’s often harder to hear over a video call than it is in real life.

2. Mind your body language and the non-verbal cues you’re giving.

Many students have also found that even in an online interview, body language is still really important. 

“Even though body language isn’t as visible in a virtual interview, I still feel that by having good body language, you can put forth an aura of confidence,” William stated. 

In order to do this, try to simulate an in-person interaction as much as possible by smiling and making eye contact, and showing other signs of responsiveness. To remind yourself to look directly into the camera in order to “make eye contact,” it can be helpful to place something eye-catching in that location, like a pair of googly eyes. Additionally, over the course of lockdown, many of us have developed bad posture, but in an interview, it’s important to have good posture and sit up straight to show your attentiveness and engagement.

It can be daunting trying to get used to the new reality of almost every interview being conducted online, but hopefully, these tips can help improve your experience.

Graphic courtesy of FREEPIK.COM