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Acing the Virtual Interview

Ways to make a good impression from a screen

Thanks to COVID-19, the job market has shifted in several different ways, one of which is the interviewing process. Although in-person interviews are still occurring, there has been a rise in virtual interviews and video submissions for job seekers. How do you market yourself virtually or on video? Here are some tips to help you ace the virtual interview:

  1. Have adequate lighting and appropriate décor/backgrounds. You want to make sure that you are properly seen on screen, so having adequate lighting with minimal glare is important. You also want to have appropriate décor or a blank wall behind you so that there isn’t anything distracting while you’re interviewing.

  2. Place Post-It notes with potential responses around the top of your computer near the camera. Having this setup ensures that you’re looking at interviewers and making good eye contact versus looking down at your notes. Even in virtual interviews, having good eye contact is important and can demonstrate confidence in your responses. 

  3. If you’re submitting a video instead of conducting a live interview, use technology such as Zoom, Streamyard, or iMovie. Using these tools will give you the ability to edit and polish a video submission without needing much video editing experience. You can also record responses in one take and edit the video afterward, which saves you time in the long run.

  4. Conduct a practice call with a friend, mentor, or family member. By being able to practice, you can get feedback on why your responses (or your energy or even your non-verbals) aren’t coming across in the way you’d like on screen. You can also make sure your audio and video settings are correct. If you don’t have someone to practice with, set up a Practice Interview appointment with the Career Center.

Let’s face it — now that more companies have shifted to a remote and/or hybrid model, there may be more competition from candidates outside of your local area than ever before. That’s why it’s even more crucial to find ways to stand out when you’ve scheduled a virtual interview. By using these tips and resources like Big Interview offered by the Career Center, you’ll be even closer to your next job position.