Whether you’re just starting your job hunt, you’ve been invited to an online interview by a prospective company or you’re generally curious about the online interviewing process, you’re in the right place. In this guide, you’ll learn everything from how to practice for your interview to how to dress so you don’t blend in to your bedroom wall or scare potential employers away with your favorite band’s t-shirt and its ill-positioned holes.

1. THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO CONQUERING
AN ONLINE INTERVIEW
CHICAG
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Whether you’re just starting your job hunt, you’ve been invited to an online
interview by a prospective company, or you’re generally curious about the online
interviewing process, you’re in the right place. In this guide, you’ll learn everything
from how to practice for your interview to how to dress so you don’t blend in to your
bedroom wall or scare potential employers away with your favorite band’s t-shirt and
its ill-positioned holes.
PRE-INTERVIEW
“Luck is where the crossroads of opportunity and preparation meet." - Seneca
The ideal job at your dream company just opened up but there’s a catch; it’s half way
across the country. After a few moments of distress and disappointment, you realize we
live in an age where communication technology has allowed us to connect in amazing
ways, no matter the distance.
Thanks to online interview technologies, companies are saving money and candidates
are being recruited (and subsequently hired) from all over the world. Below you’ll find
some useful tips that you can implement before you jump into your online interview.
“The best way to suggest using a video interview for a potential employer is in your
initial cover letter. Email directly to the hiring authority. In fact, use a P.S. at the
bottom of your letter that says, ’I am available and look forward to an interview,
either face to face or online using Skype or other service, to prove I am the solution
to your needs for this position.‘ This stands out, making you look technologically
competent.”
Karl Walinskas is the CEO of Smart Company Growth,
author of Getting Connected through Exceptional
Leadership and contributor to Inc. Magazine.
After confirming your online interview, prepare the same as you would for a face-to-
face interview and avoid common mistakes can make a bad impression with your
potential employer.
“Update your cover letter so that they aren’t addressed to the wrong company or
person at the company. This shows you are interviewing with a lot of places and lack
attention to detail. Addressing your resume/cover letter as “Dear sir” or something
similar is a mistake. Hello! It’s 2014, the person interviewing is at least ½ as likely
to be female. “
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Research the job description and the company online, paying close attention to the
words and phrases they use to describe themselves and their company’s mission.
Following their social media accounts is a modern way to get a feel for the company’s
voice while also staying up to date on their latest news or successes and thus, giving
you talking points for your interview and showing that you are already well versed in
the industry. LinkedIn is a valuable resource for industry-specific research; look up
the company’s recruiter and the hiring manager to learn details of their backgrounds
and interests.
“ Grammar and typing errors in general are still a big turnoff
for most employers. HR and Recruiting folks always say
to be prepared and do your research before interviewing
with a company. I can’t stress enough how important it is to
understand a bit of the company you are interviewing with,
their history and culture, before getting into an interview.”
- Christa Foley, Zappos
Generally, the recruiter drives the interview process, and it’s up to you to be as
accommodating as possible! If they’re flexible, this is your opportunity to choose the
time of day that works the best for you. For example, if they are available Monday
morning or Tuesday afternoon, consider when you typically feel most fresh and alert.
Are you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as soon as you hop out of bed, or does it take
a few cups of coffee for you to start speaking in coherent phrases? Choose wisely!
QUESTIONS TO HELP PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME
• When will the position start?
• Will there be a short list and another round of
interviews?
• How long will the interview be? If they’re on
a schedule, that’s all the time you’ll have, and
you’ll want to know which points to hammer
home accordingly.
To make sure your technology is compatible, do
a dry run before your interview. Skype a friend
and test out the clarity and sound of your video
chat. If you are nervous about having connectivity
issues, it’s smart to share your contact info with
your interviewer beforehand, either via email or in
the chat element of the product that you are using.
That way, your interviewer has a way to reach you
in case your dog chooses that exact moment to
chew through your Ethernet cord.
Avoid using anything you need to hold in your hand, a la
“selfie”. Your image will be shaky and fill the screen too
much. You want to be able to control the video environment,
and that is just harder to do with phones. If you can prop
up an iPad on a stand that will look at you straight on, like
someone taking a picture, and you have the bandwidth and
environment considerations described herein under control,
then this is acceptable.”
- Karl Walinskas, Smart Company Growth
“
AMPLE TIME FOR TECH
Unlike a phone interview, video interviews take some time to set up. Get comfortable
using the technology and be aware of what software you’ll need- nothing kills an
interview like waiting ten minutes for an applicant to download a plug-in. Start the
log-in process at least five minutes beforehand to ensure you make it online on time.
By being ready ahead of time, you’ll be able to relax as you wait for your interview
to begin, rather than frantically typing in passwords and internally cursing your slow
wireless connection.
“When you’re preparing for the interview, have someone call you at the same
time of day as your interview will be. That way you’ll know what kind of lighting
and shadows you’ll have for the interview itself.”
Ginger Burr is the President of Total Image
Consultants and author of That’s So You!
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Recruit a friend to help, and walk through a set of questions to get a dialogue going.
Notice how you respond, making eye contact with the screen. This trial will help you
set a tone and pace that you’re comfortable with on the day of the interview. You want
to appear prepared, confident, and calm; practicing until you’re completely comfortable
interviewing is the best way to achieve this projected serenity.
Use this rehearsal to gauge an appropriate distance from the camera. Remember your
frame - too close and the interviewer might be distracted by your (albeit attractive) facial
features; too far and you might be perceived as aloof from the process.
With the availability of video conferencing software, you should be able to walk
through the setting once or twice to develop an ease with the chosen application.
Headphones are generally a plus for online interviews; your voice will be clearer for
the interviewer and outside noise will be reduced. These days, most laptops have
Bluetooth connections so you can connect a cell phone headset to complete the
interview. Check the audio beforehand for the dreaded echo (echo… echo…).
Dress For Online
Interview Success
Overdress
It’s a cliché for a
reason, and it’s better to
be overdressed than
underdressed.
deep
periwinkle
forest green
watermelon
Your hair
The interviewer will
be seeing a lot of
your face and less of
everything else, so
you want to be very
happy with your
Do
hairstyle.
Skip the
alterations.
Even in an inexpensive
suit, tailoring will help
you look like a million
bucks.
Wear these
colors:
light gray
yellow
Don't
bright fuschia
khaki/ olive green
beige
Forget pants.
Even though you won’t
be visible from the waist
down, don’t risk it.
Wear patterns.
They’ll draw focus away
from your face.
Men Women
Dark suit, with conservative styling. A dark suit and/or skirt or pants with a
blazer.
Express yourself: With a tapered suit
or lapels. The broader your
shoulders, the wider your lapels
should be.
Wear a suit, or pants and a jacket with
a tie.
Finance
and
Medical
Tend to be the
most
conservative
fields. Suits
are a must.
Education
and IT
Somewhat
conservative,
suits or blazers
are
recommended.
Media and
Retail
Tend to be
more
trend-driven.
Express yourself: With accessories
like a three-stranded necklace.
A suit or a jacket will help communicate
authority.
Express yourself: with a slimmer tie
or two-button jacket.
Wear pants and a jacket – you can
take your blazer off if the environment
is casual.
Express yourself: Wear a textured
blazer, or play with the color of
your shirt or accessories.
For inspiration, read blogs that make
sense of runway fashion for the rest
of us.
Express yourself: yourself with
colors that work well on you, either
in your shirt or your pants.
Express yourself: with accessories
like a subtly patterned scarf.
If you opt for the microphone over the headset, experiment beforehand to judge the
ideal distance from your mouth for good audio, making sure that you don’t have any
obstruction. Be careful that the microphone placement doesn't impact your ability
to maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
“Part of what you want to do in a job interview is separate
from yourself from the competition, which means choosing
items of clothing or accessories that express who you are
while being appropriate to the job you’re interviewing for.
If you dress so that you feel amazing, that confidence will
allow you to be yourself.”
- Ginger Burr, Total Image Consultants
BACKGROUND CHECK
Don’t forget to consider your surrounding environment when planning out the
logistics of your interview. Choose your background carefully. Keep the setting
formal and uncluttered so that it doesn’t distract your interviewer from what you’re
saying. The wall color should be neutral with plenty of natural light- now is not the
time to proudly display your collection of vintage Black Sabbath posters or your
gallery of self portraits in the style of Van Gogh.
Wear these
colors:
deep teal
DURING THE INTERVIEW
FIRST IMPRESSIONS SAY A LOT
HAVE THESE ITEMS NEARBY FOR THE
INTERVIEW
• A glass of water beside you will
help if you get a tickle in your throat
or dry mouth (often the symptom of
nerves).
• Have your resume in front of you
for easy referencing of career dates
and highlights.
• Keep a pen and your calendar close
by in case your interviewer wants to
set up another meeting. You don’t
want to get up and walk away from
the interview to fetch it later.
• Memorize at least ten phrases that
state your best qualities and how
they relate to the skill set they’re
looking for. If it helps, write these
out on a sheet of paper so that you’re
not awkwardly grasping for words
when they ask you “What are three
adjectives your colleagues would use
to describe you?”
• Similarly, you should have at least
three memorable stories or examples
that highlight your strengths,
including one that shows how you
dealt with adversity on the job.
COMMUNICATING CONFIDENCE IN YOUR
ONLINE INTERVIEW
1. Be clear and concise.
Don’t ramble. Strike a balance
between being brief and
longwinded. Remember, more
information is not necessarily
the best practice. The reader’s
digest version is sometimes all
that’s required.
2. Pause, breathe and smile;
then answer each question.
This gives you a moment to collect
your thoughts. It also gives the
interviewer a moment to shift back to
listening mode and prepare to receive
your great answers. Be sure to pace
your answers slowly and not to rush,
which is a sign of nervousness.
3. Be mindful of your
body language.
Maintain good posture and eye
contact throughout. Hand gestures
will only distract the interviewer, so
keep both hands at your side or
under the desk throughout the
interview.
Once the interviewer calls, take a deep breath before answering and greeting
him or her with a simple good morning/good afternoon and a smile. Start with
small talk if it’s appropriate, following the interviewer’s lead. A classic and
non-controversial topic like weather always puts the interviewer at ease and
gives you a chance to adjust to the setting before starting.
Once the interview begins, you can relax into it and treat this as you would a
normal interview.
blue
“Body language can be read on both sides. Look for clues. Does their body
language show whether you’ve answered their question correctly? Seek
clarification if needed, by asking ‘does this answer your question?’”
WAGES AND NEGOTIATIONS
When looking for a job, it can be tempting to know upfront exactly how much
money you could possibly earn; however, just like any other first date, discussing
money this early on is considered uncouth. Do not mention wages during the first
interview unless they first broach the subject. If they don’t bring it up and you
still feel that you must know, then ask for a range. Be prepared for a negotiation,
but don’t expect it and don’t start one. Researching salaries for similar positions
in your geographic location will give you an idea of what to expect and ensures
that no one is surprised when a number is put on the table.
Concluding the interview will give you the opportunity to summarize why you’re
the best fit for this position- your own personal elevator statement. Make your pitch
concise, and know it backwards and forwards before the interview.
Occasionally, employers will email you a list of interview questions and ask you
to film yourself answering them. Q&A processes can be more complicated than
traditional interviews because there are no signals in the interview to judge how
well you are performing. However, the Q&A format certainly has its advantages,
with the main one being you can write out your answers and practice delivering
them ahead of time.
POST INTERVIEW
After an interview (as in the same day), whether face to face
or online, start with a phone call. If you get the person, just
professionally thank her for the time and consideration and
state that you are looking forward to the next steps. If you
get voicemail, leave that as a message, and follow up with an
email saying the same thing. Email is acceptable and used
prevalently. Snail mail is a nice touch that others will not
use, so if you really want the job it is a great idea, but do the
email or phone first. This person may be interviewing many
people and you don’t want her to wait 5 days thinking you
didn’t professionally follow up with a thank you. The
position could have already been let to someone else.”
- Karl Walinskas, Smart Company Growth
A FEW LAST WORDS…
Christa Foley is the Senior Human
Resource Manager at Zappos
Now that the legwork is done, it’s time to sit back and impress your interviewer
with what you know!
As mentioned before, the environment should be as professional as possible.
Every potential distraction should be avoided. Now is not the time to turn on the
dishwasher or have Maury in the background on mute. Kick everyone out of the
house (or at least the room), and don’t forget to turn off your cell phone and any
other potential noisemakers. Also, consider your proximity to the bathroom; an
unexpected flushing toilet is a tough obstacle for even the most poised candidate
to overcome.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, and punctuality is one of the
first things an interviewer will notice about you. As the candidate, you should
always dial into the bridge a couple of minutes early, giving you more time to
diagnose any technical issues and get comfortable in your chosen setting. Rushing
or running late, even if you have a good reason, will leave a negative impression,
whereas being prompt for the interview conveys your enthusiasm and respect for
the position at hand.
Carrie Wynne is the Personal Career Coach and
author of 10 Ways to be Deliriously Happy.
Congratulations! You can sign off and bask in knowing that you’ve given the
interview your all.
Manners matter, even in this modern age, and a follow up thank you email or call
is always necessary. Keep your message short, reiterating your personal summary
and why you want to work there.
“
If all goes well, you may be asked for an in-person interview. Travel expenses are
generally handled internally, either through administrative assistants or recruiters.
As when setting up your online interview, let the recruiter take the lead role in
arranging any travel plans. If there is no relocation involved in the role, it’s safe to
assume that you will handle the costs of interviewing in person.
Video interview skills, like any other talent, can be honed with practice and are
ultimately about making a personal connection with the interviewer rather than
allowing technology to form a barrier between you and your potential new job.
A successful video interview isn’t just about your answers, credentials and work
experience; remember that the company will evaluate you by how they see and hear
you. Research shows that we make major decisions about each other in the first seven
seconds of meeting. By logging on as a confident, comfortable and prepared
candidate, you stand the best chance of a successful online interview- and an ensuing
job offer. Good luck!