The pandemic may come and go in waves, but life has to go on for all of us. We can’t let social distancing and restrictions put an end to our jobs and livelihoods. And to acquire those jobs, it has become essential for recruiters and candidates to perfect the art of conducting virtual interviews.

Since the pandemic broke out, 86% of recruiters have relied on virtual interviews to kick start their hiring processes. Gone are the days when candidates woke up at ungodly hours to catch the first train, bus, or taxi to the interview venue. Today, in the post-Covid era, things are done differently. Candidates choose a quiet corner or room and connect with their recruiters via phone, video conferencing, and other online communication platforms. Once they are connected, everything else is conducted pretty much like a direct interview.

If direct interviews for Tech USA jobs are nerve-wracking, virtual interviews aren’t any easy either. The pressure is the same for the interviewer and interviewee. They may likely face challenges such as:

You may find hundreds of articles offering tips to prepare you for an interview. But what about a virtual interview? Our article lists eight successful tips to make your virtual interview a big success. So, let’s get going!

In a virtual interview, you are expected to dress formally as you would for a traditional interview. Remember that this is a job interview and not a casual tête-à-tête. Therefore, it is only fair that both the interviewer and interviewee wear proper attire that gives it a professional touch. Wearing formal attire will also make you feel more confident and well-prepared. So, no matter where you are, keep your formals ready, right from your tie to your socks and shoes.

If you don’t have a dedicated office space, try to clear out a corner of your room or hall to give you complete privacy during the interview. Choose a clean, professional-looking space that’s devoid of clutter and other distracting objects. You can also tune out all other distractions such as:

If you have children at home, keep them well-informed about the importance of the interview and arrange for someone to supervise them until your interview is over.

Use professional body language

The use of professional body language is essential when conducting interviews via video or phone, as the medium has its limitations. You can’t shake your recruiter’s hand or show enthusiasm via video. Nevertheless, you can focus on the way you communicate with your body language. Set the camera at your eye level, sit up straight, and maintain proper eye contact to establish rapport. You can also greet and convey enthusiasm by smiling and waving confidently.

Establishing a rapport with your future employer or employee is easily done in a direct interview. However, in a virtual interview, you have to make an extra effort. You can build rapport by discussing a neutral topic of conversation or anything that isn’t about the job or interview. Such discussions will give you a break from the usual questions. It may not be easy to establish a connection with everyone. Yet, it is a vital part of the virtual interview.

Your virtual interview cannot happen unless your tech gadgets are software are in prime condition. Several things are a must-have for virtual interviews. They are:

Don’t wait until the day of your interview to check your gadgets. Check everything at least a couple of days before and ensure they are in good working condition. Check the camera and microphone for picture and sound clarity. Use headphones to reduce echos and other background noise distractions.

Your internet connection is your lifeline for this interview. You may be well-prepared and well-dressed, but if you have an unreliable internet connection, you are done for. If your recruiter can’t hear you or if the video freezes, all your efforts will go down the drain. Hence, you should:

It is important to stay authentic whether you are answering or asking questions because it is easy to identify if you don’t sound genuine. If you are the interviewee, you should express yourself in a way that highlights your positive attributes. When you share your negatives, explain how you turned them into positives rather than giving robotic answers. Recruiters will scrutinize how you express yourself through your words and body language. Therefore, to perfect your answers, you can practice a few rounds with family and friends. This safe atmosphere will help you identify your follies, make corrections, and prepare you for the real deal.

It is only fair that you want to look your best in your video interview. The best way to do it is to ensure you have a good lighting source in front of you. Sit in front of a big window or an electric light and run a test call to check how the light illuminates your face. Never opt for a back-light. It will only throw a dark shadow on your face, which is not what you want in an interview.

Virtual interviews for IT jobs in South Carolina are here to stay as workplaces continue to evolve. If you are entering the job market, it is wise to prepare yourself to succeed in your virtual job interview. From getting dressed in your formals to sitting poised and perfect, every little aspect is important. Follow our tips to master the virtual interview and take one step closer to joining your chosen organization!

Source link – Mastering the Art of Virtual Interviews