Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, there has been a major shift in the traditional form of recruitment & hiring. Now companies are working remotely and leveraging video conference systems to take interviews. If you are also on the Job hunt and new to virtual settings, then there are some considerable things you should keep in mind. In this blog, we will provide a complete list of do’s and don’ts of virtual interviews. Also, we will assist you in setting up Virtual interview background for Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet.
Technology has streamlined the process of hiring; companies today are earnestly taking interviews using tools such as Google Meet, Skype, and Zoom. Adopting technical tools for interviews helps companies save time and keep present and future employees safe from the Spread of Covid-19 infection.
It also ensures that the hiring process’s efficiency and effectiveness are not compromised. Remote interviewing enables recruiters to swiftly reach a diverse talent pool and screen prospective candidates cost-effectively.
Some Do’s for your Next Virtual Job Interview
Below are a few things you must Do right before your video interview:
1. Ensure Good Internet Connectivity:
Test your internet connection, web camera, and microphone before the final interview. Use good-quality headphones and take a short practice call with your friend to get familiar with the tool. Resolve any technical issues beforehand.
2. Dress Up Professionally:
Just because you are giving an interview from the comfort of your home, it doesn’t mean you can show up in your favorite onesie; remember, the interviewer can still see you in the video. So, wear formal clothes as if you are heading to the company’s office for the interview.
3. Be a Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body:
Keep yourself fit both mentally & physically by trying to exercise daily, as that will keep your mind sharp and make you look more radiant in the interviews.
4. Let the Light Shine on You:
Proper lighting is essential, so don’t be in a dimly lit room. If there is artificial lighting, have the light focus on your face. The light should never be behind your head or facing the camera, as it might make it difficult for the interviewer to see you clearly.
5. Invest in a Good Quality Webcam and Speakers:
Nowadays, most laptops and desktops have built-in webcams, so you should be all good, but for safety, do test calls with friends to ensure they can hear and see you clearly. If your Webcam or microphone has issues with audio or video clarity, we suggest investing in a quality webcam and small speakers for your desktop or laptop.
We suggest going withLogitech C930e Webcam!Or, if you really want to splurge, go forLogitech Brio Ultra HD Webcam. Both these Webcams have been personally tested by our candidates while giving interviews and provide superior audio and video transmission clarity.
6. Keep a Check on Your Body Language:
Work on your body language, keep it natural, and don’t overdo hand gestures. Try to answer each question with a smile to look more confident. Also, look straight into the Webcam rather than looking at your books, opening another screen, or checking your phone while on the Video call.
Also, read about Common Body Language Mistakes to Avoid During a Job interview.
7. Get the Interviewer’s Contact Details Beforehand:
By having the recruiter’s number prior to the scheduled video call, you can contact them directly in case any technical problems occur during the video interview.
8. Be Punctual:
Login to the video conferencing program 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and close any other programs in your system unrelated to the interview, such as email, media players, etc.
9. Put Off Disruptions:
Don’t let any external factor ruin your interview; minimize disruptions by turning off your cell phone and silencing your computer notifications.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions:
To leave a good impression on the interviewer, have 2-3 pertinent questions ready to ask about the job position and company. Also, don’t hold back from asking the interviewer to repeat any question if you miss something due to a technical glitch.
11. Position Yourself in a Clean Environment or Set up a Virtual Background:
Ensure your interview surroundings are clean, well-lit, and clutter-free. You should not have a messy background for video interviews. If you are constrained due to reasons beyond your control, you can set up a virtual interview background on Skype, Zoom, or Google Meet to leave a positive impression.
12. Download the Latest Version of Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet:
If you’re alien to the virtual world, then you should download the video programs before your system to get familiarized with them. Also, use professional and business-like usernames instead of random names like Mr. MoneyMaker, BossLady, Smartypants, etc.
Some Don’ts for your Next Virtual Job Interview
1. Avoid Fiddling with Your Webcam:
A video interview can be messy if you keep on adjusting your webcam. Thus, you should not fiddle with the camera as it will leave your recruiter dizzy. In case you are using your mobile for the video call, keep it in a stable place where it can’t fall.
2. Do Not Turn Off the Camera:
Despite being a camera-shy person, you should not get tempted to turn off your camera during the interview call. It is indispensable for both parties to be visible during a virtual call since it can get awkward for your potential employer to be talking to a blank screen. It may also demonstrate your lack of confidence in handling professional video calls.
3. Don’t Let Anyone Else Emerge in Your Video:
When giving a virtual interview, you need to make sure that nobody is around or behind your screen. It can come off as distracting and unprofessional if your family members or pets pop up on the screen.
4. Take the Interview Call in Loud Surroundings:
All your efforts can go in vain if the person taking the interview can’t hear your answers or only hears a part of them due to the noisy settings. Choose to sit in a secluded place where no external sound can ruin your interview.
5. Interrupt the Recruiter:
It is the biggest and most common mistake that candidates often commit during a video call. People tend to overlap communication by interrupting in between and speaking at the same time. Therefore, you should first listen to the question of the interview panel and then give your appropriate answers.
How to Set up a Virtual Background in Zoom, Skype, and Google meet?
Remote work is here to stay, which started with the Coronavirus. So be it an interview or a meeting, you should leave a good impression when on a video call. Having a background image free of clutter is one of the important steps to achieving that.
We will show you in Simple steps how to set up a virtual interview background in Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet. You can use existing custom background images, live background images, or Videos ( only available in Zoom). Also, you can put an individual image like your logo or your resume image as background to grasp the attention of the interviewer.
How to Set up a Virtual background on Skype?
- Download thelatest version of Skype.
- LaunchSkype,then click the (three dots) to the right of your username in the top left corner.
- Click on Settings
- Select Audio & Video
- Choose one of the preloaded images from “Choose background effect,” or click the + Sign and add your custom image.
- You can also Blur the real background of your room.
- Choose your custom virtual interview background effect and exit.
Your virtual background image is ready now
Note: It is recommended to use images in landscape orientation mode, and you need to save the custom images locally on your desktop.
How to Set up a Virtual Background in Zoom?
You can select any virtual background for a video interview from a wide range of background collections provided by Zoom. So, you do not have to worry if you have clutter in your background. Given Below are simple steps to set a virtual background for a Zoom interview on a laptop:
- Sign in to your Zoom web portal to edit account settings.
- Click Account Management on the top right-hand corner once you have signed in.
- Click Settings in the navigation menu.
- Navigate to theVirtual BackgroundTab & verify if the setting is enabled. In case the setting is disabled, click the toggle in order to enable it.
- Choose from 3 Still Virtual background images and 2 Live, offered by Zoom. Or you can choose your own video or Custom Image.
- The below image shows you how to do the above.
How to Set up a Virtual Background for Google Meet?
Google Meet application lacks the function of enabling a virtual background for interviews; however, you can use its Chrome browser extension to incorporate virtual backgrounds during your call. Here are some steps to enable virtual background in Google Meet:
- Firstly, you need to visit the Chrome Web Store, then search for virtual background.
- Thereon, you will find Visual Effects, or you can use Virtual backgrounds for Google Meet. Download & Install either of the extension on the Chrome browser.
- To initiate a meeting, Navigate Google Meet after installing the extension.
- Tap on start meeting and select Join now to start the video call.
- Next, enable the virtual background extension above to select a background of your choice.
Conclusion
These essential tips can help you create a good impression in your next interview or meeting. If you are interested in making a career in the technology industry, then consult our Talent advisors. We can prepare you for a long-term career in the lucrative Technology Industry.
Anytime you want to upgrade your skills and need a helping hand to enter or re-enter the tech workforce with high-demand tech skills, reach out to us. Since 2010 we have helped 1000’s of jobseekers achieve success in the technology sector, making our Candidate Success Outcome the best in the industry. SynergisticIT’s career-oriented training programs guarantee fast-paced, quality tech education, preparing you with top-notch skills for coveted tech roles in the industry. Reach out to us. SynergisticIT– Home of the Best Data Scientists and Software Programmers in the Bay Area!
