The pandemic has pushed many companies to move their processes, including recruitment, online. Virtual interviews have become a reality and are likely to remain a permanent part of the hiring process. Here, we share tips for candidates on how to succeed in an online interview.

Over the past year, stories about awkward video interviews have become increasingly common. For example, one acquaintance spent an entire interview speaking to the candidate’s ear rather than looking at the camera. To help your interview go as smoothly as possible, we recommend following a few simple tips based on our own experience.

Clarify the format of the video interview

Sometimes companies don’t specify the format of an online interview — whether it will be audio or video — or they may not send a link to the call in advance. To avoid any surprises, it’s a good idea to take the initiative and ask the recruiter how the interview will be conducted and what tools you’ll need. Installing Zoom one minute before the interview can be stressful, but it’s like offline and online casinos: the format is different, but the emotions are the same. If you enjoy online gaming, Wanted Win Casino offers a seamless experience with exciting games and a Wanted Win Casino no deposit bonus to get you started — a simple way to try your luck without any upfront investment.

Check your equipment and prepare a ‘plan B’

This may seem like obvious advice, but it’s often ignored. Muffled sound or no sound at all, camera issues, unexpected internet problems, or even your laptop rebooting the moment you open Hangouts — these things happen all the time. That’s why it’s worth checking your equipment before the interview, keeping your charger nearby (or better yet, plugging it in right away), testing your internet speed, and trying out the tool you’ll use for the video call. Make sure to do all this at least 5–10 minutes before your interview starts.

Find a quiet place and a neutral background

One candidate I spoke to had someone washing dishes in the background — very loudly and right next to the microphone. Another had positioned their camera so that I could see their face in the corner, while most of the screen was taken up by a picture of their spouse lying on the bed. One candidate even had their mother constantly walking behind them.

Recruiters, like you, are ordinary people navigating this new online reality. For example, I often warn candidates that my cat can meow very loudly, and my neighbors are currently doing major renovations. These are all normal, everyday things, and most likely, the recruiter won’t even notice — they’ll continue asking questions and answering yours without missing a beat.

But if you find a quiet place with a neutral background, it will be much easier for you to concentrate, keep track of the conversation, and present yourself as a professional in the best possible way. Interviews are always stressful, and with additional distractions, they can become a real challenge.

Build a connection with the interviewer

Some hiring managers say it’s more difficult to make a decision about a candidate they’ve never met in person: “Yes, we have specific selection criteria, we listen carefully, and we assess skills with a test task, but in person, the impression of the candidate is clearer.”

Research shows that 55% of the information we convey comes through non-verbal communication. So, when interacting only via video, we naturally perceive the conversation differently. However, it is entirely possible to build a strong connection online. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer, stay fully engaged, avoid interrupting, use natural gestures, and smile genuinely when appropriate.

Which conditions can I agree to, and which ones are absolutely unacceptable?

Be prepared for the fact that during a crisis, your employer may not be able to offer stable conditions. This will depend on the company’s industry, how long it has been in the market, and whether it has weathered previous crises. You may be offered a lower salary than you’re used to, and it may not return to its previous level for several months. In sectors where salaries were overheated before the crisis, pay may remain at the current level for a couple of years.

During such times, platforms like Yulys can help you explore new job opportunities or flexible work options that better match your current expectations and circumstances.

Decide in advance which conditions you are not willing to accept under any circumstances. This applies not only to salary expectations. For example, some companies install software on employees’ computers to track their activities. Are you willing to accept such conditions, or does this violate your principles of trust and privacy?

What advantages do I have over other candidates?

If you’ve been invited for an interview, it means the HR specialist was impressed by your CV and cover letter. But remember, they interview several candidates each day. Why should they choose you? Take some time to analyse your achievements in previous positions and make a list of useful skills that didn’t make it into your CV because you didn’t consider them important.

Remember: an interview is always an interview. Regardless of the format

At the start of quarantine, I often saw candidates scrolling through social media during video interviews, replying to messages, typing loudly on their keyboards, or even opening the door for the courier. But no matter the format — online or in person, in an office or over a coffee in a café — an interview is still an interview. The questions you ask the recruiter and the follow-up email afterward remain the same.

Of course, it’s not always easy to focus when you have a cat on your lap, a child in the next room vying for attention, or neighbours arguing loudly. But there’s no way around it: if you decide to look for a job, the hiring process stays the same, as does the expected “code of conduct” at every stage.

Before the interview, make sure you clearly understand the job role meaning — what responsibilities and expectations come with the position. This helps you ask more insightful questions, show genuine interest, and demonstrate that you’re serious about the opportunity.