How to Pass an Online Job Interview - 10 Tips for Success

In this video, I'll show you some tips on how to pass an online interview and receive a job offer. Let's learn how to ace the hiring process and avoid making common mistakes. COVID-19 has impacted a lot of things, including how we restrict face-to-face interactions. That's why online job interviews are becoming more common than traditional ones. They are also becoming more popular because they are less costly and can be done on any device with an internet connection. But going through an online job interview for the first time can be scary, right? Well, no worries. We are here to help. Here are some tips to help you succeed. So let's get started with the steps to passing an online interview. 1. Know what app will be used for the interview session. Whether it's a mobile phone, desktop, or laptop computer, it helps a lot to be familiar with the video app interface before you get on with your future employer. Will it be Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or WhatsApp? Well, most of the time it will be advised by the company representative beforehand. So you can avoid getting lost in the scene when you don't know what to click or tap next to proceed. 2. Check your internet connection. Mind if your connection running just fine as well as your audio and sound capabilities to make sure everything works properly. Of course, you wouldn't want to let the interviewer wonder about what you just said when suddenly you realize that you have gone explaining a lot but your device's microphone is still on mute. 3. Pick the right spot for lighting. Make sure it isn't too dark but also stay away from overhead lights during the interview if you can. Try to settle down near a window if possible, with your face towards the light. Natural light in this setting gives the best and most accurate color. And light on your face will highlight your eyes and facial features. Though you also need to remember things to avoid like lighting from above or behind will cause strange shadows on your face and may also virtually put a frizz halo out of your hair. Moreover, lighting from behind or the side will cause a glare, making it difficult for the interviewer to see you. Or it may even cause a glare on your screen and make it hard for you to see the interviewer. 4. Make a capture perfect setup. Be sure to have the table to be stable enough if you are to use a laptop. You don't want it bouncing or see it wobbling during the interview unless it's part of the job description for you to perform some magic tricks. You may need to use a box to lift the laptop up so that it gets from just below your shoulders for a perfectly framed shot of your interview. If you are using a tablet or smartphone, use a device tripod to hold it steady. 5. Mind your virtual background. You might be thinking to pick a cute and stunning background like what you always see from Snapchat, Instagram Stories, and other social media apps, but please don't. Fancy backgrounds can distract and will look unprofessional for a first-time meeting. In fact, you need to choose the most professional area of your home, you may need to set up one for the sake of your interview. Avoid odd things in the background like a bed or toilet. Books as an example can make you look smart, and home decor like a tactful piece or set of art in the background can give the appearance of being organized. But still, a plain colored wall will make it clean and simple, since it keeps the focus on you. 6. Remove distractions. Anything that could interfere with your conversation should be set to silent, including your phone and email notifications on your computer. It is rude to be interrupted during an interview. Make sure no one else is around when you are on your interview, as some interviewers have seen pets walk across the computer screen, a naked person walking across the room in the background, or hearing children screaming from the next door. If you can't ensure people aren't going to interrupt you, then it would be recommended to either take your interview to another location or make sure your roommates or family can plan to be gone for the day. 7. Get on early and behave properly. Being on time is to make sure you are ready to go lip 10 to 15 minutes early before the scheduled time with your interviewer. Remember in a normal interview, you would get through a lot to get ready like finding the right room before the interview. Wear the habit of feeling watched during the session, this will help you not do something strange behind. From the moment you log in until the moment you close the screen, assume that they can hear and see everything from the other side of your conversation. You might not want to leave a weird first impression of yourself before you get hired. 8. Sit up, relax and dress accordingly. Even though meeting your interviewer is not in person, make sure to dress for success, your appearance can really make or break everything. Show yourself with a happy smile and sit up straight to make you look professional and engaged, this will help you feel more confident and energized in a better mood with a touch of openness on your face. 9. Listen and engage with your body language. Practice your main talking points, this will help you keep calm as you have answers prepared to some of the most common interview questions. Write down some other examples in case they ask for specifics. Listen carefully and collect some keywords as this is where you might get to ask your question at the end of the conversation. Organize your thoughts, pause for a second or two before you deliver your answer. Get into eye to eye contact. Instead of looking at the person on the screen, look directly into the webcam and stay engaged. Looking at the screen will make you look like you are staring down since screens are usually below the cameras. If you've taken a selfie before, then you probably know the deal. To make you feel comfortable, you can put a picture of someone you know up by the webcam. This way, you feel as though you're chatting with a friend. 10. Research and collect info. And before you get into any job interview, be sure to first do your own research about the company you are applying for. This will help you answer questions about the company and show that you have a keen interest in it. You should also know what skills they require for the position so that you can mention them in your interview. If there is a specific question on what interests you, then answer it truthfully and with enthusiasm. Be sure to mention how your skills would be useful to the company as well as why this position is perfect for you. And as always, be yourself. Be you. If you have something to add, please write it down in the comment box below so others would know. And don't forget to subscribe for more. Thanks for watching.