One thing we can say for sure is that going for job interviews is nerve-wrecking. You spend days thinking about what to wear, then you also spend days preparing, googling commonly asked questions, rearranging your certificates on your files and also practicing in front of the mirror.  

But that was before COVID-19, when things were normal, and you have to go for face-to-face interviews. Now everything is online, even interviews. While you might think “Yay, online interview is better, less stress”, but in reality, it takes more effort to impress someone through the screen. 

Here are some steps you can follow if you want to impress your interviewer through your screen:

1. Before the interview

+ Prepare just like you’re going for the face-to-face interview

An online interview is a real interview, so the preparation process is still the same. Make sure you research about the company and role, prepare to answer common interview questions, and come up with questions to ask your interviewer in return.

Make sure you show your interviewer that you did your job, and you are passionate and truly interested in the job. Don’t show up with 0 knowledge or information. 

+ Test Your Tech

Having sudden technical difficulties during the interview will definitely be the opposite of impressive. So, try out the app the interviewer will be using beforehand with the help of a friend or a family member. 

Make sure you familiarize yourself with the app, make sure you can be heard and seen and also try out the other tools within the app just in case you need to use them. 

Also Adjust the camera to make sure that you are in a good position and angle, we don’t want our double chins on display! 

+ Set Up Your Physical Shot

In an online interview, you are in charge of the physical setting. So, make sure you choose a quite area with a neutral background like a blank wall without any distracting décor or clutter. 

Get some good natural light behind your laptop if none, then invest in a ring light! 

2. During the interview

+ Wear Professional Attire

When you dress appropriately for an interview, it not only makes you appear professional, but it also shows your enthusiasm and excitement about the opportunity. 

+ Log Into the Meeting Early

If it were a face-to-face interview, would you arrive 1 minute before it starts? No, right? So, treat this like a real interview and log into the meeting at least 10 to 15 minutes earlier. 

Close all your other tabs and open your resume in the background just in case. 

+ Non-Verbal Communication

Start off your interview with a digital handshake. A digital handshake is done by looking directly into the camera to make a connection with the interviewer and doing a small head nod accompanied with a smile which shows warmth and openness.

Facial expressions are everything because over video you can look like statue. So, make sure you nod and smile, try not to say mm-hm or yeah over the phone or video call because it sometimes can break up the other person’s audio momentarily. 

+ Use the STAR Method When Answering

S: Situation

T: Task

A: Action

R: Result

When asked a question, give your answer by stating “The situation or task was… the action I took was… and the results were…” 

+ Prepare Questions

Here are some questions you can ask:

- When will I get notified if I am successful for the job?

- When will I start the new job?

- Explain to be the day in a life or the role I am applying for.

- What is the dress code? 

3. After the interview

+ Send a Thank You email

After the interview, make sure you send the interviewer an email thanking them for their time. This will definitely impress your interviewer.