By Alicia Lopez
The dawn of the 2020s has brought virtual interviews to the mainstream. Job hiring in the Philippines today is now often characterized by remote interviews facilitated through solutions such as Google Hangouts, Zoom, Facebook video calls, and Skype. If you’re lined up for a virtual job interview, here are a few things you can do to make the best impression.
1. Treat your interview space like a studio
While we generally don’t think of ourselves as putting on a show when we do virtual interviews, that is exactly what we are doing. To make the best possible impression, the space around you should be prepped to avoid possible issues during your virtual interview. Some ideas consider include:
- Removing any clutter in your background
- Taking any questionable artwork or objects out of frame
- Ensuring the space is reasonably free from noises such as roosters, tricycles, and noisy pets
- Positioning electric fans so they don’t create an annoying background drone
- Turning on and positioning flattering lights towards your face for visibility
- Making sure no dirty laundry or other similarly awkward items are in direct view
- Angling the webcam so that it doesn’t just have a direct view of your chin
2. Pay attention to your body language
Assuming that the interviewer wants to keep the video on, you have to be aware that your facial expressions and body language are plainly visible. Video calls are about the closest thing we have to face-to-face communication, so it makes sense to be aware of the visual cues we are sending. Humans are wired to respond to these cues and the way you appear can influence the emotional responses you elicit in the interviewer.
In practical terms, this means you should refrain from showing disinterest or doing something that could be seen as rude. Slouching or having a bored expression are definite no-no’s in virtual interviews. Nodding periodically and showing appropriate levels of enthusiasm to the interviewer can do a lot to help create a positive connection and improve your chances of making a good impression.
3. Invest in or borrow decent gear
Decent audio and video quality can do a lot to prevent misunderstandings during the interview. Thankfully, you don’t need the latest equipment to achieve an acceptable level of quality. Virtually any laptop or phone made in the past five years should be sufficient. However, if your video and audio seem a little too poor, it may turn-off the interviewer, especially if you’re applying for a telecommuting position.
Take the time to run a few test calls. If the video or audio is giving you problems, invest in or borrow a “good enough” setup to tide you over during the interview. Consider getting an upgrade if you get the job as well, in case you want to find other similar opportunities.
4. Use the most secure internet connection you have available
Unfortunately for many of us, basic internet plans in the Philippines are often inadequate for delivering an acceptable video call. This is especially true in households with multiple family members and multiple devices using up the connection at any given time. This can result in a choppy and potentially-embarrassing experience.
Try to use the best internet connection available to you, when possible. If necessary, go to someone else’s house to use their connection if you find that yours is inadequate. If you’re applying for a work-from-home job, it will make sense to immediately apply for an upgrade to your home connection as well, especially if regular virtual meetings are expected.
5. Dress for success
Despite what popular wisdom tells you, you shouldn’t be content to just wear an office-appropriate top during your virtual interview. You will also want to wear bottoms that are somewhat modest as well. You don’t want the interviewer to see something they shouldn’t when you stand up, after all. On the other hand, if you want to go barefoot, that should be completely fine.
6. Make sure to tell family and housemates ahead of time
Loud conversations and TVs blaring in the background can be distracting, especially in the context of a virtual call. Not only can these scenarios be annoying, but they can also keep people in the call from understanding you.
To avoid these issues, people in your household should be told in advance about any expected interviews. Pets should also be secured to keep them from being too much of a distraction.
Conclusion
While video calls are nothing new, our reliance on them has exploded. More and more applications in the Philippines will be done entirely remotely. By understanding how to make a great impression on a virtual interview, you will find that more doors will be opened for you. Good luck with your job hunt!
