Brush up on classic techniques and adapt them to the new world of internet interviews

The in-person job interview went away when offices emptied this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic. On the plus side, that means no more flying out to company headquarters and staying at a hotel, just to spend a day of meetings in an uncomfortable suit and then heading right back home. On the downside, common technical snafus and fewer body language clues can make the online process feel fraught.

To successfully make the jump to team member from virtual job seeker, brush up on classic interview techniques and adapt them to the new world of internet interviews.

Research the company and your interviewer:

Interview basics still apply, so start by learning about the company, delving deeply into its website, related news coverage and employee reviews such as those on Glassdoor or Indeed. Know why you want to work there because you are sure to be asked.

To research publicly traded companies, Amelia Ransom, senior director of engagement and diversity at the tax compliance software company Avalara, suggests delving into their online 10-K forms, which summarize annual performance, paying close attention to the key challenges a company is facing in the “Risks Factors” section.

“Connect how hiring you can help them solve those challenges,” she said.

Set the scene: For video interviews, make sure your lighting, camera angle, outfit and background all help you look polished. Best bets for lighting are sunshine from a window that’s facing you, a lamp bouncing light off a wall that reflects softly, computer screen clip-on lights or a basic ring light.

Place your computer’s camera at eye level or slightly above and tilted down. Wear a professional-looking top that makes you feel confident.

Virtual backgrounds can be tricky, so it’s best to find a clean uncluttered space, with nothing to distract the interviewer. Shut the door in case someone walks by.

“Do the best with what you have,” Ransom said, “but don’t worry too much about it.”

Recruiters understand the limitations of homebased interviews.

Check the tech: Technical difficulties are understandable, but do all you can to avoid them, said Eliot Kaplan, a former vice present of talent acquisition at Hearst Magazines who is now a career coach. Start by ensuring your Wi-fi is as strong and reliable as possible. That might mean setting up your video call in the part of your home that gets the best reception, asking housemates to stay off the network during your interview or even paying for better WiFi for a few months while you are job hunting.

Make sure your laptop is fully charged. Keep your cellphone by your side (on “do not disturb”) with the interviewer’s phone number handy in case you need a backup communication method. Close other apps on your computer so you are not distracted by pop-ups. Double-check what will be in sight because video software programs differ in how they crop web camera views.

Practice your answers and your presence:

Think ahead about common questions and how you will answer (without sounding too rehearsed). Behavioral questions are in vogue: asking for examples from your experience, such as a time you overcame an obstacle, led a team or creatively solved a problem.

It’s important to answer concisely and listen closely, especially on a phone interview because you can’t see the interviewer’s responses and other visual cues, said Karen Amatangelo-block, a talent acquisition executive at a global hotel company and a private coach.

“You’ll definitely lose them after five to seven minutes,” she said.

Practice your posture as well, Amatangelo-block said, because it’s important to communicate that you are engaged in the video conversation and excited about the opportunity. A tip she learned from newscasters is to “sit on the edge of your seat,” which helps you to sit up straight. Pull your shoulders back to convey confidence, she said.

Convey your value:

Think of the three things about yourself that you can bring to the job that are not on your résumé, Ransom said, and communicate those. “Maybe you are going for an engineering job but are also a great public speaker.”

Some of the qualities that companies have traditionally looked for — adaptability, flexibility, showing up as a self-starter and an independent worker — are more important than ever. One way to demonstrate those qualities in the interview is to talk about what you’ve done during the pandemic.

Questions for the interviewer? Let your curi

osity shine through and ask something that will help you decide if the position will be a good match for you.

After you hang up: Always send your interviewer a thank-you email and make it as specific as possible, mentioning a topic you discussed or something that inspired you.