7 Tips to Succeed in an Online Job Interview During COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has up-ended how we connect work and how the in person interviews have shifted to online job interview during COVID-19. Moreover, working from home (WFH) has now become a new normal for now. However, it could well have lasting consequences on how organizations view the necessity of an office, in-person meetings or frequent business travel. Several experts have foreseen that online interviews would soon become a new normal due to the coronavirus. In this article, we will provide you 7 tips to succeed in an online job interview during COVID-19 pandemic:

Remove all distractions

Before starting your online video interview, it is important to select a location that is free from distraction. If you personally don’t have any dedicated office space, you have the option to use a bedroom or guest bedroom, your kitchen table or even cleared-out closet space. It is important to turn off social media alerts, email, text, software updates and other notifications that could well show up on your screen during the interview. In an online job interview during COVID-19 pandemic, you should turn off programs that could interfere with the webcam.

Maintain punctuality

Punctuality is of utmost importance in online job interview during COVID-19. It is important to log in at least 10 minutes earlier. This will allow you to be calm and composed when the video interview starts. You should thoroughly review the job description before the interview. Also, it is essential that you are able to prepare any speaking points that you need to hit or any notes that you’ve taken regarding the organization or position.

Wear professional attire

In an online job interview during COVID-19, you should focus on dressing the same as you would in a face-to-face interview. By doing so, you will not appear as highly professional and excited about the opportunity, but it will also make you feel more prepared and confident.

Test your technology beforehand

Before the online job interview, check all of your technology to ensure it works effectively and can be used to communicate effectively. This will help to make sure that your equipment has been working correctly. You should download any applications or plugins that you may require. Whether you have been using Zoom, Skype, Google Meetups or another video platform, you should make sure that you have a username that’s professional. You should also check that your computer’s microphone, camera and internet connection are also correctly working. It is important that you do a trial run with a family member or friend. This will allow you to have sufficient time to adjust if there is any software or equipment malfunction during your interview.

Keep your devices charged

If you are using a tablet or laptop, you should make sure that it’s fully charged on the day of your interview. You should pick a spot that has strong Wi-Fi. If you’re using a tablet, you should find a way to keep it stationary. If you are not able to do that, the screen will become shaky when you’re holding the device. If possible, you should avoid using a smartphone for video interviews.

Focus on your body language

When a person talking to you is not present in the room, it could become easy for you to lose focus during the interview. As a result, you should maintain “eye contact” with your interviewer by looking directly into the camera. It is important to make sure that your face is centered. Moreover, you should also try not to move around during the interview. One should also keep a good posture during the interview. You should sit with your back straight and feet on the ground and arms resting in your lap or on the desk. Moreover, you should also find other ways to greet and exude enthusiasm, like smiling and giving a confident wave with eye contact.

Remember all relevant information

During your online job interview, you should remember all the important data and avoid making notes. With phone interviews, you could rely on having handwritten notes. However, video interviews are similar to formal face-to-face interviews where you can’t use notes. As a result, it is beneficial to remember all the relevant information related to your job otherwise you will lose the job just at the last step.