Online Interviews

Online interviews are becoming more common, but there are a few considerations you will want to think about when participating in an online interview. Although it may be online,  treat the meeting like a face-to-face interview; do your research, dress professionally and practice potential interview questions. Here are some things you should think about before you do an online interview:

Background:

·        Make sure the space you’ve chosen to conduct the interview is clean and presentable.

·        Try to find a spot with a plain wall behind you and simple furniture.

·        Eliminate anything distracting from the background.

 

Pets and Kids:

·        Remove pets from your interview area and make sure they stay quiet throughout.

·       Take your children to a babysitter, or have somebody watch them while you do the interview.

 

Lighting and Technology:

·        Natural sunlight from a window is ideal, but make sure the window isn’t directly behind you.

·        If natural lighting isn’t possible, opt for a natural-looking table lamp and direct the light toward your face.

·        Avoid fluorescent or overly bright overhead lighting.

·        Test all of your technology before the interview – including the microphone and webcam.

·        If you’re using a laptop, make sure it’s fully charged and/or plugged in.  

·        Adjust the camera beforehand and make sure you have a strong internet connection that won’t be interrupted.

Typical Interview Questions

1.       Tell me about yourself.
Learn how to answer that one here.

2.       What are your strengths/weaknesses?
It might be helpful to make a list of your strengths and weaknesses, then pick some of your best attributes that will qualify you for the position.  Reread the job description and choose your strengths accordingly, with specific examples to back up these qualities.  When it comes to your weaknesses, try to avoid telling the interviewer you have none – they want an honest answer.  Try sharing a weakness that could be seen as a positive, and explain how you have overcome that weakness in the past or how you plan to overcome it. Sharing how the job in question will help you overcome your weaknesses and highlight your strengths is great way to prove why you’re right for the position.  

3.       Why are you interested in working for us?
The answer to this question will change depending on the job you apply for, and your personal feelings. You want to let the interviewer know you have done your research, that you will fit in well with the company culture and that you have a lot to offer.  Try to describe how your previous experience and skills will be an asset to the company.   

4.       Why do you want to leave your current job?
 Keep your answer brief and positive. You can answer by saying you are looking for career growth and development, a new challenge or a new skill set. Be honest and show your interest in the job, and how it will help accomplish these things.

5.       What did you dislike about your last job?
The most important thing to remember here is to keep it positive. Under no circumstances should you speak negatively about your previous job or employer.  It’s a good idea to talk about something positive that came out of your last job, while also explaining why you decided to move on.  

6.       Describe a time that you took initiative in a past job.
 Answer this specifically using the STAR (situation, task, action and result) method.

7.       How have you dealt with a difficult client/customer?
Once again, use STAR and be specific on how you handled the situation and the end result. Be careful not to place blame on the client/customer, and stay positive.

8.       Tell me about a time you disagreed with an authority figure.
Refer to the STAR method and make sure you acknowledge your part in the situation, how you handled it and what you learned from it . Never badmouth the authority figure, or try to place blame.

9.       What do you know about the company/organization?
Don’t go into an interview blind. Do your research and be prepared for this question in advance.

Tell Me about Yourself

“Tell me about yourself” may be the most dreaded interview question, because it’s open-ended. There are actually a lot of different ways you can answer this one, but the first thing to remember is to keep it brief and make sure it’s an appropriate mix of personal and professional information.  In general, a brief summary of your education, your career path up to this point and your strengths makes for a good answer.  You don’t want to answer a questions with another question, so avoid asking, “What would you like to know?” 

Some general guidelines when answering questions about yourself:

·       Try to incorporate strengths, experiences or accomplishments relevant to the job into you answer.

·       Use examples and be specific whenever possible.

·       Keep the answer brie, but not so short that the interviewer has to pry the information out of you.

·      Practice answering this question if you’re going to be applying for jobs. It sets the tone for the entire interview.