Interviewing in a Virtual World

It is no secret that virtual interviewing has become the norm in recent years, and is here to stay. Gina Rapaport, Professional Coach and CEO of The WOWSpeaker, shared her Four Pillars for Success in Virtual Interviewing during a recent CRC webinar. Here are just some of her tips for making a great impression in your next virtual interview.

Pillar 1: Mindset

Gina emphasizes that the right mindset will help you to exude the right energy. A positive, confident attitude can come across to the interviewer. To keep your nerves at bay, remember it is just a conversation and that you are the solution to their problem. Be yourself—the more authentic you are, the more likeable you are. Lastly, reframe your thoughts from nervous to excited. With the right mindset, you are off to a great start.

Pillar 2: Presenting Yourself

In the virtual interview, as in any interview, how you present yourself on screen is important. You should dress professionally, in flattering solid colors. Look at your background and make sure it is simple and not distracting. Check your lighting: lighting from the front either from a window or a ring light is most flattering. Your camera should be at eye level or a little below you can easily been seen from the shoulders up. 

Pillar 3: Create Connection

Creating connection is important for getting the job. Since you have already been asked to interview, the interviewer knows you have the qualifications. Now you need to be the person with whom the interviewer wants to work. Some tips include:

• Smile, particularly at the start and the end of the interview.
• Make “eye contact” by looking into the camera instead of the image of the person on the Zoom screen. 
• A little bit of small talk is always good!
• Pausing during the conversation helps you get your thoughts together, lets you catch your breath, and makes you look confident.

Pillar 4: Start and End with a Bang

Gina shared a framework for answering that opening question: "Tell me about yourself". Her suggestion was to focus on:

The Present: Who you are, what are your strengths, values, interest. (For instance, I am great at…, I pride myself on being able to….)

The Past: What makes you qualified for this role? You can mention transferable skills if you are changing careers or things you learned if you are coming back from a career break.

The Future: Paraphrase the job description or something from the website to say why you are perfect for this role. (example: I am looking for a role that…, what excites me about this role is…)  Keep your answer to 3 minutes or less!

Finally, end the conversation with a bang. Have your questions ready. Be enthusiastic about your interest in the job. And thank the interviewer.

Your final step is to send a thank you note within 24 hours. Your thank you note should state why you are a good fit for the role and highlight 1 or 2 things you discussed. Also, mention anything that you did not get to showcase in your discussion that relates to your success on the job.

Practice makes anything easier, including the tips highlighted here. You can always test out these virtual interviewing tips with friends, family, or a CRC Advisor.