by Rileigh Skelton

Let’s be real, interviews are stressful. Whether you are trying to land your next internship or your first full-time job, there is a lot of pressure to nail the interview process. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new work-from-home era, that many of us are still trying to navigate. With this new era, comes an increase in video interviews. Here are 5 tips to help reduce your stress and give you confidence going into your virtual interview.

Tip 1: Test Your Technology

Before Zoom,  it was common for aspiring employees to drive past their desired place of work the day before the interview. This would provide the interviewee with a greater sense of preparedness and reduce their stress about the big day. The current equivalent to this practice is to check your technology before your interview. Make sure your camera is working, your mic is turned on, and your Wi-Fi signal is strong. You may even find that you need to relocate to another area of your living space to get a stronger internet connection.

Tip 2: Check your Background

To answer the question we’ve all been asking since the start of Zoom calls: Yes, we are all looking at your background.  With this in mind, you want to make sure, to the best of your ability, that your background is clear of distractions. If you have roommates, take five minutes before your interview to politely ask them to not disturb you for the next hour. Another option would be to place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door as a reminder not to interrupt. Of course, sometimes interruptions happen. If a distraction occurs during your interview, such as a family member walking into the frame, acknowledge it and move on. You could simply say, “I apologize, this is my younger brother,” and then dive back into your conversation. While doing your best to be professional, remind yourself that you are human. Show yourself grace and be okay if interruptions occur. Your interviewer has likely seen it before or experienced it themselves, so they should be understanding.

Tip 3: Creating a Connection

The lack of non-verbal cues during an online interview can make it more difficult to create a memorable connection with your interviewer. If you want to stand out from other candidates, it is crucial you find something to bond over. Utilizing your background is one way to do this. For example, you may be interested in sports, and have a flag for your favorite team in your Zoom background. This creates the opportunity for your interviewer to comment on it, and you can create a connection about sports. Another example could be having a musical instrument in the background, a band poster, or family photo. If altering your background doesn’t work for your specific situation, that’s okay! By focusing on your body language such as hand gestures and eye contact, you can control the situation and increase the level of connection. Staying alert and engaged the entire interview fosters greater connection than if seem distracted. So, do your best to avoid looking at those email alerts being sent over or nervously touching your hair. Overall, do your best to be personable and create a memorable interview.

Tip 4: Dress for Success

You may have caught yourself wondering: Does it really matter if I get fully dressed? The interview will only see me from the neck up anyways. The answer is: Yes. There have been far too many Zoom horror stories that include an interviewee’s phone or computer falling over and showing off their fuzzy PJ pants. When dressing for your interview, assume that your interviewer can see your whole outfit and dress appropriately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Once the interview is over, feel free to slip back on those comfy PJs!

Tip 5: The Follow-Up

After an interview, it is always a good idea to send a thank you note. Some may even say it’s essential.  During the pandemic, it may be harder to send a physical card. Since the meeting took place online, you may not know the employer’s physical address. Or perhaps you want to avoid your letter passing through multiple hands before arriving at your interviewer’s desk. You can always say thank you by email, LinkedIn, or send a virtual thank you card if you really want to stand out in their inbox! When crafting your thank you note, be sure to add in specific details of what made your conversation with the interviewer meaningful.

We are all navigating these unprecedented times together. Keep putting your best effort forth and remember to show yourself kindness!

Rileigh Skelton is a senior public relations student graduating in the Belmont University’s Class of 2021.