Feel Free Read How To Ace Online Interviews And Increase Your Chances Of Landing A Dream Job in 90 Days Or Less Kindle
#1 Rent A Private SpaceWhile it may be tempting to do the interview from home, consider renting a coworking space or a private room. The advantage being the professional ambience and in-house tech support. You can focus on the principal thing, while the provider takes care of the rest. #2 LightingIf it’s natural light you are looking for, make sure you are facing a window. You could place a lamp against a surface that reflects light softly on you. Other options you could experiment with include ring lights and clip-on lights. #3 BackgroundI know that some folks recommend virtual backgrounds. However clean, uncluttered and simple work just fine. If there’s a door. Make sure it’s shut and locked. You don’t need folks walking in the background. #4 Camera PlacementPlacing the camera below eye level makes you look intimidating. While placing it higher makes you seem diminutive. The ideal placement is at eye level. You may need a stack of books to help you arrive at the right level. #5 Stable ConnectionDo an internet speed test. Ensure you have a stable, uninterrupted connection that offers you 1 Mbps or more. If interviewing from home, make sure you have access to Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots as backup. #6 Battery OutageMake sure your device is fully charged. You could also keep it plugged in or have a power bank on hand. If using a PC, keep a tablet and mobile also nearby to take care of any contingencies. #7 AudioDo not depend on built-in speakers. Your best bet is a headset with a built-in microphone. Interviews take time so make sure the headset is on the lighter side and has noise cancellation. Though remember, your microphone will still pick up ambient noise. Most headsets are wired (this prevents latency), but you could try out a Bluetooth headset. #8 WebcamLogitech has affordable high-quality webcams. You might invest in one in case you want the works: HD video calling, wide-screen, noise cancellation mic, lighting adjustment for dim environments, etc. #9 Video PlatformMake sure you are familiar with the platform, whether that’s Skype or Zoom. Do some test runs with a friend to make sure you are completely familiar. I find watching YouTube tutorials most helpful. Usually after five-six of them, I get a handle of things. #10 Apps OffNot only keep your mobile on silent. Turn off all notifications on your PC or device you are using. I’m guessing you definitely don’t want an app sounding off just when you’re about to clinch the job. #11 Mic Check I have a soft voice. Which is why, on calls, I am frequently requested to speak up. If you’re like me, then you will have to remember to speak a little louder; otherwise your interviewer won’t be able to assess your responses. #12 Think Not Exactly Mona Lisa, But CloseIn an offline interview you wouldn’t sit 20 feet away from the Interviewer, or right in their face. Similarly, in an online interview, you need to position yourself just right. They need to see your head, shoulders and the top half. And make sure you’re in the centre with some space above your head and to your sides. #13 ResolutionIt all depends on your internet speed. The rule is unless you have ample bandwidth, keep the camera resolution to 720p. It’s better to skip the higher resolution it’s going to result in some choppy video. #14 Avoid PatternsRisky attire for an online interview: patterns and wearing white. Patterns can look awful on video, and white could look unwashed or could make your image look overexposed. Also, since you will be seated for a while, check that your jacket is straightened out and does not crunch up. (End of excerpt)
