Tips to successfully conduct an online work interview

The online environment has turned into the most common scenario when contacting applicants and recruiters especially after the pandemic. Applications and programs such as Skype, Zoom… are also essential tools for a conversation with your future employer. There are some nuisances of the digital channel worth taking into account to succeed in an online work interview.

Advantages and disadvantages of an online interview

Without doubt, time flexibility and the possibility to connect from anywhere are two of the great advantages of digital job interviews. Also, it can add several people easily, enriching the encounter. On the negative side, we lose most of the body language so useful for the soundness of our messages. Moreover, the sometimes inevitable technical failures can interrupt the conversation, distract us and even give a bad impression to the recruiter.

5 tips for an online job interview

The first thing is to set the date, time and tool to access the meeting. It is not common to define a priori the duration of the interview and therefore it is a good idea to save enough time in case it lasts longer. Also:

• Analyse the digital presence of the company, the information offered and its activity in the different channels. Revise its web, social media, news where it appears, opinions from customers, and former employees….This way you will show the recruiter your interest in the project.
• Take care of the image you are going to project and of the space around you. Dress as for a person-to-person interview, it will give you self-confidence and you will give a good impression. This includes a good background, ordered, clean and without many elements as it can divert the attention of the recruiter.
• Revise in advance the tools, update the app to be used and check that the connection works properly. If you are going to share the screen, eliminate all documents or tabs of your browser that have nothing to do with the interview. Also, we recommend you to use earphones to avoid sound problems.
• Pay attention to the body language. It is key to show interest, confidence and emphasize what we are exposing. Seat straight but without showing tension, do not move too much and try to keep eye contact with the other person.
• Be punctual. Just as in a person-to-person interview. In this case it means being a few minutes before the time agreed in front of the computer with all documentation ready and the video conference tool loaded.

Rhetoric is a very useful competence for job interviews in any format. If you choose to study at CEU Universities you will have plenty of opportunities during your education to acquire one of the most useful soft skills both to sell your idea to investors if you are an entrepreneur and to take part in meetings with your team or attend a congress or professional encounter.