If you are new to virtual interviewing, it can be an adjustment. The good news is, it’s new for many people. As employers and candidates alike are seeing the benefits of this format, it’s likely here to stay for good, at least in some portions of the interview process. You are likely to have a virtual interview at some point in your career and the following tips are here to help you have the best experience possible.
Though these tips are a great start to navigating a virtual interview, they are only one piece of the puzzle. Check out our Interviewing page for advice on preparing for an interview, answering interview questions, and following up.
In an in-person interview, arriving 10-15 minutes is expected. In a virtual conferencing interview you do not need to arrive early, but you should join the meeting promptly or a couple minutes before. You can be ready and settled in your location 10-15 minutes early, but login at or right before your interview time. Being late for your scheduled interview time will not reflect positively on you as a candidate.
For a phone interview, be ready to answer the phone as soon as they call you at your interview time. Try to answer promptly, not letting it ring more than two or three times or having it go to voicemail. Answer the call yourself and answer professionally – “Hi, this is _____”. In the unfortunate case that it does go to voicemail, make sure it sounds professional, the inbox isn’t too full for them to leave a message, and return the call immediately.
If you don’t have a home office, find a place free of interruptions and distractions. Let your roommates or family know that you need uninterrupted time and remove pets from the room. If you choose to make your room your interview space, do not lie down in your bed. If you are sitting in your bed, try to make it not look like your bed. However, it would be better to sit against a wall in a chair. Even if the interview is over the phone, lying down in bed will make it difficult to bring the energy needed in a virtual interview. Other household areas like kitchen tables and dining rooms are okay if you are able to limit distractions in the background.
Interviewing outside
In nice weather, interviewing outside can provide great lighting, a scenic background and space away from indoor distractions, but you won’t be able to control outdoor distractions such as landscaping crews with loud machinery, traffic, dogs barking, and noise from people passing by.
Schedule interview space in the PUB
If you lack an appropriate, distraction free space and are in the Spokane/Cheney area, you can reserve a room in the PUB through the Career Center for your virtual interview. Learn More
Good lighting is important in a video conferencing virtual interview. Try to have the light in front of you and not behind you if possible. Having the light behind you will make it difficult to see your face and engaged body language.
Now that you’ve found a quiet space with good lighting, make sure the room is free of visual distractions. For example, avoid unprofessional posters, dirty dishes, clutter, and political signage within the camera’s view.
If you decide to add a virtual background, make sure it’s professional, not distracting, and understand that it can effect your bandwidth if you have weak internet. Overall, just a plain white background is preferable to a virtual background.
Video Conferencing Platforms
There are many platforms out there. The most common ones used in interviews are Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. When you know which tool will be used, download and practice using it ahead of time with friends or family to make sure you have the right access and to get familiar with its settings.
Devices
A desktop or laptop is best, but a tablet or phone could also be used if necessary. Make sure your portable devices are charged and you have a charger nearby. Have a backup device ready if your primary one fails.
Whether you are using your phone, desktop, laptop, or tablet, make sure that notifications are turned off. If you are using a desktop, log out of any accounts that connect it to your phone so you do not receive calls and texts through your desktop during the interview.
Headphones
Headsets, headphones, and earpods are all okay to use. Make sure you have a backup solution for sound if your primary set fails or you run into a technical issue. Consider using headphones of some kind with phone interviews as well so your hands are free to take notes. Practice using your headphones of choice with your device and video conferencing platform to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Internet connections
If you are in a setting without a reliable internet connection and you do not have access to a reliable connection elsewhere, communicate that to the employer before your interview so they can try to accommodate you through a phone interview instead.
Make sure you have a phone number for your interviewer before the interview begins in case you lose your connection. If you do lose connection, don’t panic. Email or call them quickly and let them know what’s going on.
If your phone or internet connection is failing and cannot be restored, the employer may wish to reschedule the interview.
Screen Views
Most video conferencing platforms allow you to change the screen views. You can hide your own screen if it’s too distracting to see yourself, but some feel it’s helpful to see how they are presenting themselves.
Panel view allows you to see if everyone is engaged, while speaker view sometimes highlights someone who isn’t actually speaking. Panel view can be helpful to gauge the reaction and body language of the other interviewers.
Dress professionally. Even if your interviewer can’t see all of you, you should wear the full outfit. Even during a phone interview, dressing professionally can help your confidence and make you feel more professional which will come through in how you are communicating. Check your attire on screen ahead of time to make sure it looks okay on camera; busy patterns can be distracting and some colors might wash you out depending on your lighting and background.
Be yourself
It’s important to be professional in an interview, but it’s also important to be yourself and let your personality shine through. Be open and honest about issues or distractions that arise in the middle of your interview to allow a more human interaction.
Bring some energy
Appear positive and interested. It can be more difficult in a virtual setting to see and hear your enthusiasm than in-person interactions, so you may need to bring some extra energy to the interview to avoid sounding subdued or robotic. If you need to take a walk or do some brief exercises before the interview to reduce anxiety and build energy, then do so.
You want to bring energy, but avoid excessive movement such as spinning in your chair, rocking, or too many hand gestures. This will get easier with practice. You can hold on to something like a pen or stress ball and keep your hands out of the camera.
Pacing
Nervousness and enthusiasm can cause your speech to speed up. It’s okay to slow down and allow for pauses and interruptions. It’s more difficult to read queues that someone wants to interrupt or ask a question in a virtual environment and this will allow them to do so more easily.
Eye Contact
Try to keep eye contact by looking at your camera or near your camera’s location. You can move the speaker’s view closer to the camera so your eyes appear to be looking at your interviewer and not down or off to the side.
Spacing from camera
You should be sitting about arm’s length away from your camera. If you sit too far back, it can be distracting and difficult to read your facial expressions. Sitting too close may not be the most attractive look.
Food and Drink
Do not eat or chew gum during virtual or in-person interviews. It’s a good idea to have water close by though. Make sure your drinkware is appropriate for an interview; a solid color without graphics or clear glass is best.
Notes
It’s okay and often recommended to take notes during your interview. Typing your notes on a keyboard may be loud or distracting so consider a notebook and pen/pencil. Let your interviewer know that’s what you are doing so they don’t think you are distracted.
You can also bring your own notes about examples, accomplishments and questions you want to bring up in interview. If the notes you already have prepared are digital, make sure they are off to the side of the screen.
If you are missing something in your notes, do not do internet searches during the interview. The interviewer can usually tell by the screen’s reflection on your face, the typing, and your eye movements and it won’t reflect well on you as a candidate.
Need quiet virtual interview space?
Interview Skills Practice and Appointments
We offer several options for improving your interview skills. Schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor to learn about interviewing strategies and follow it up with at least one mock interview appointment.
Mock interviewing allows you to practice your interviewing skills followed by feedback and advice.
Big Interview is an online platform with interviewing advice and tools for practicing.
- Schedule interviewing strategies and mock interview appointments with a Career Advisor
- Use Big Interview – FREE with Eagle’s email
This content was made possible by our partners at Enterprise Holdings.
Panelists: Cole Harrison from ASEWU and Kassie Hinerman, Talent Acquisition Manager at Enterprise
Hosts: Nate Bryant and Jenica Jett, EWU Career Center
