Virtual Interview Tips?

liberty18

liberty18

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Interviews have always been fairly simple for me. I enjoy talking to adults and I'd say I have great communication and interpersonal skills. However, two of my nomination interviews were over zoom and didn't go as amazing as I had hoped. I found myself getting abnormally nervous, hesitating and just feeling "off". I think it's the virtual environment that deterred me because it lacks the the body language, eye contact and general connection that I do so well with in-person. I also felt like because my interviewers were behind a screen, they weren't actually looking at and listening to me. Has anyone had similar issues? Any advice for having the best virtual interview possible?
 
liberty03 said:
Interviews have always been fairly simple for me. I enjoy talking to adults and I'd say I have great communication and interpersonal skills. However, two of my nomination interviews were over zoom and didn't go as amazing as I had hoped. I found myself getting abnormally nervous, hesitating and just feeling "off". I think it's the virtual environment that deterred me because it lacks the the body language, eye contact and general connection that I do so well with in-person. I also felt like because my interviewers were behind a screen, they weren't actually looking at and listening to me. Has anyone had similar issues? Any advice for having the best virtual interview possible?
Click to expand...
I teach this to my college students as part of an Oral Presentation course (really).

Check your setup - zoom with someone else in another room and once you start, switch with them so you can see how the interviewers are going to see you. If you're using a laptop, the camera is close enough to the screen that you'll look like you're making eye contact but if its a desktop or other device with a separate camera, make sure that your camera is close to where you'll be looking (the screen). Also, try to have it be somewhat close to eye level if at all possible. You don't want to have the camera looking down or up at you. Also try to have a somewhat quiet area. I often zoom from our living room and if someone is filling the bathtub (upstairs), it is pretty noisy where I'm sitting. Again, from looking at your setup from another device - are you sitting too close? Move back enough so that more of your gestures and body language can be seen. Of course, you want to have a nice background - maybe bookshelves or other area of your home but avoid having an unmade bed or clothes strewn all around
in the background.
 
Remember to make them think: We absolutely need this one at the Academy! Be self-confident and talk about your skills and potentials. That worked for me and I got 2 nominations, remember that those people are humans, those people understand that if there's no eye contact is not your fault, don't feel guilty for technical issues. I also had to do my interview Virtually as I live thousands of miles away in another continent, but don't forget to wear everything including your shoes, you never know.....
 
Building on the good advice above:

One, use books or bricks to elevate your computer so that the camera is at eye level. May seem like a little thing, but it’s not. It literally and figuratively puts you at the same level as your interviewer.

Two, speak more slowly. When you don’t have an in-person conversation partner giving you nonverbal cues, it’s easy to start rambling at an accelerating pace. Instead, take a breath before answering a question and take pauses at key junctures.
 
I have a sticky note with “SMILE” up near the camera aperture, to remind me to look there and keep a pleasant demeanor.

I also have a small O ring light clipped to the top of my screen abive the camera, powered by USB and adjustable in 3 tones of light.

We call the laundry room in our house the “SCIF” (Google it). It’s got good clean light, no windows, away from doors and traffic areas and barking dogs, has a door that closes. I have hung a Navy ship photo at sunset behind where I sit, with the laptop elevated for better f2f effect.

I have also used a virtual background that blurs the background.
 
Capt MJ said:
I have a sticky note with “SMILE” up near the camera aperture, to remind me to look there and keep a pleasant demeanor.

I also have a small O ring light clipped to the top of my screen abive the camera, powered by USB and adjustable in 3 tones of light.

We call the laundry room in our house the “SCIF” (Google it). It’s got good clean light, no windows, away from doors and traffic areas and barking dogs, has a door that closes. I have hung a Navy ship photo at sunset behind where I sit, with the laptop elevated for better f2f effect.

I have also used a virtual background that blurs the background.
Click to expand...
Now that is what I call squared away!
 
Test your camera and mic for video and audio quality. Laptops in particular have generally low-quality cameras and microphones. Invest in some decent equipment if you're going to be doing these often--worth the money. Similarly, make sure you know how to use your microphone--find the optimum speaking distance/placement, maybe adjust gain and filter settings so it doesn't sound too soft or like you're eating the thing.

If you don't have that kind of cash, or can't figure out the technical stuff, try using your cell phone instead--usually cell phones (particularly iPhones) have much better camera/mic than your average laptop.

There's always one guy in every videoconference with video so washed out you can barely make out his face from the wall behind him and a microphone so crunchy you can only understand every third word.

Mute your desktop/phone notifications. Nothing like a nice Outlook chime that's ten decibels louder than everything else to blow out everyone's ears.

Use headphones or earbuds--I prefer earbuds since they're less noticeable. Prevents mic feedback, lessens the impact of a "hot mic" if you forget to mute yourself. Not to make this into an Apple ad, but the earbuds included with an iPhone have a good mic as well--checks a couple of boxes.
 
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There are older similar threads on this topic, so even though the OP has completed their interview, others reading it may find it helpful as well. ALWAYS practice with any type of video application ahead of time adjusting the sound levels/lightings/setting/etc. and can focus on the actual interview. Downloading software or fiddling with the setting needs to happen ahead of time. You will also look more organized if you do these things ahead of time which will help your self-confidence. Nothing is more annoying then a webcam too low on a table so it shows mostly the ceiling and part of your head. Rooms that are too dark or too light also make it hard to see the person on cam. Check to see what is BEHIND you since that is what the person watching will also see. Remove any needless clutter from the background. Go somewhere in your house where it is quiet and you can close the door to avoid interruptions. Have someone else who is home keep pets and/or small children somewhere else to avoid interruptions/distracting noises/etc.

Turn OFF all other PC applications that might chime/buzz/beep during the interview and/or figure out how to shut off sounds from things like email that tends to always be running in the background. Being comfortable using the technology will allow to focus on what matters during the interview. Might be obvious to some, but turn your cell phone OFF or leave it somewhere else in the house. You obviously aren't going to answer it during an interview, so whoever is calling/texting/etc. will have to wait until later. Some people seem to ALWAYS have their phone nearby and are constantly looking at it for one reason or another.
 
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