How to go about an online interview

Online interviews are becoming ever so popular. There’s no need to commute to the interview and you save time because you don’t have to do any of the things normally related to interviews. You just talk to the HR manager via the agreed-upon communication platform and do the interview from the comfort of your own home. What to watch out for during an online job interview and what to avoid? These questions and many more may be running through your mind when you think of this topic. We will help you answer these questions. Let’s get right down to it!

So, you apply for a job, send your CV to the HR manager and he calls you asking to set up an online interview. What now?

First and foremost, you’re going to need a device to make the call on. You can either use a smartphone, a laptop or a desktop computer. Either way, you’re going to need a microphone and camera that work. Therefore, don’t forget to check that they work properly. It also pays off to have some experience with online interviews because your connection may be slow, which leads to technical glitches and issues with call quality. If you have never had a virtual call, we recommend connecting with a friend prior to the actual interview, to make sure that everything works well on your end.

The technological and the physical environment

There are many platforms that can be used to make online calls. Some require you install apps, others don’t. The most common kinds of platforms include for example, WhatsApp or Teams and Teamio via Google Chrome, Zoom, Webex, Whereby and others. If you’re making a call using WhatsApp, you have to install the app. Microsoft Teams will send you a link along with the invitation, so that you can click on the link to join the call. Teamio is another very popular tool that HR managers like using. The other platforms are based on the same principle.

So now that the technology aspect is all sorted out and running, let’s focus on the practical matters. Even if the interview is online and you’re sitting at home, it’s still a good idea to think about what to wear. We wrote a whole blog on dress code, so you can read it here. For online interviews, it’s also important to focus on what you’re wearing on the bottom half of your body. Although video cameras can be adjusted to only show the upper part of your body, don’t forget about the bottom half because there’s nothing more embarrassing than if you have to get up to get something and the HR manager sees something that he wasn’t supposed to. For example, if your interview in the morning and you’re still wearing your pyjama pants…

Don’t forget to also focus on your surroundings. The best-case scenario is if the HR manager doesn’t see your unmade bed or messy table. Therefore, choose a room, where your back is up against a wall. Nowadays, Teams has pre-set backgrounds that you can choose from. If possible, make sure no one distracts you during the interview. Nevertheless, the HR manager is also only human, so he’ll certainly be understanding if he hears children crying or a dog barking in the background. However, this could make you nervous, which is unpleasant during an interview.

Now you’re prepared for an online interview! So, how to actually succeed at an online interview? How to make a good first impression and what to prepare for? Our article will give you tips on how to shine at an interview.