Prepare for an Interview

Virtual Interviews (Video or Conferencing): While you don’t need to log in excessively early, you should be ready and settled at your location 10-15 minutes before the interview time.

Log in to the meeting promptly or a couple of minutes before your scheduled time to ensure everything runs smoothly. Being late for your virtual interview could negatively impact your candidacy.

Phone Interviews: Be prepared to answer the phone as soon as the interviewer calls at your scheduled interview time. Try to answer within two to three rings to avoid letting it go to voicemail. When answering, introduce yourself professionally—“Hi, this is [Your Name].”

If the call does go to voicemail, ensure your voicemail greeting sounds professional, and your inbox is not full. Return the call promptly if you miss it.

If you don’t have a dedicated home office, find a quiet, distraction-free spot for your interview. Inform your roommates or family members about your need for uninterrupted time, and make sure pets are out of the room. Avoid lying down in bed during the interview—sitting up in a chair against a wall will help you maintain the right energy. A kitchen or dining room table can also be suitable, as long as you can limit background distractions.

• Video Interviews: Choose a well-lit, quiet room. Set up your camera at eye level, and ensure your background is clean and professional. Avoid locations that may introduce unnecessary noise or visual clutter.
• Phone Interviews: Find a quiet, comfortable space with good cell reception to avoid dropped calls or interruptions. Ensure you’re seated comfortably and stay engaged throughout the interview by avoiding multitasking.

For those in the Spokane/Cheney area, if you’re lacking an appropriate interview space at home, the Career Center offers rooms in the PUB that you can reserve for your virtual interview.

Pro Tip: Consider using a headset/headphones with a microphone if you have them – this can really help with noises you can’t control.

Good lighting is important in a virtual interview. Try to have the light in front of you and not behind you if possible. Having the light behind you will make it difficult to see your face and engaged body language.

Pro Tip: You may find that you will need to move a lamp, sit by a window, or dig out that old selfie light someone got as a gift years ago.

Now that you’ve found a quiet space with good lighting, make sure the room is free of visual distractions. For example, avoid unprofessional posters, dirty dishes, clutter, and political signage within the camera’s view.

If you decide to add a virtual background, make sure it’s professional, not distracting, and understand that it can effect your bandwidth if you have weak internet. Overall, just a plain white background is preferable to a virtual background.

Successful virtual interviews depend on more than just what you say—it’s also about how you present yourself. When conducting a virtual interview, how you handle the technology and address any issues that arise can significantly impact the outcome.

Properly testing your equipment, ensuring a stable internet connection, and having backup plans in place are key to avoiding technical issues that could derail your interview. Here are the areas to focus on to ensure everything runs smoothly:

Video Conferencing Platforms:
Common video platforms for interviews include Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. Once you know which tool will be used, download it ahead of time and practice with friends or family to get familiar with the interface and settings.

Devices:
A desktop or laptop is preferred, but tablets and phones can also be used if necessary. Make sure your device is fully charged and keep a charger nearby. Always have a backup device ready in case of technical issues.

Notifications & Distractions:
Turn off all notifications to avoid distractions during the interview. If you’re using a desktop, log out of any accounts linked to your phone to prevent receiving calls or texts on your computer during the interview.

Headphones:
Headphones, headsets, or earpods are fine to use. Consider having a backup pair available in case of failure. Using headphones for phone interviews can also help keep your hands free for note-taking. Always test your headphones with your device and video platform before the interview to ensure everything is working.

Internet Connection:
If you’re in an area with unreliable internet, notify the employer ahead of time so they can consider an alternative, such as a phone interview. Ensure you have your interviewer’s phone number before the interview starts in case of connection issues. If you lose your connection, stay calm, email or call the interviewer promptly to explain the situation. If the issue persists, rescheduling the interview may be necessary.

Screen Views:
Most platforms allow you to adjust your screen view. If seeing yourself is distracting, consider hiding your video feed. Use the panel view to monitor engagement and observe body language. The speaker view may highlight the person speaking but can sometimes focus on someone who isn’t speaking—panel view can offer a more balanced view of the interviewers.

Screen Share:
If there is a chance that you may need to share your screen, make sure that your wallpaper is work appropriate and that you don’t have any extra windows open that don’t relate to the job interview.

Video Interviews:
Dress professionally from head to toe, even though only your upper body may be visible. Check your attire on screen ahead of time to make sure it looks okay on camera; busy patterns can be distracting and some colors might wash you out depending on your lighting and background.

Phone Interviews:
While your appearance doesn’t matter for phone interviews, dressing professionally can help you mentally prepare and feel confident.

In a virtual or phone interview, your body language and communication are key to making a strong impression. Whether or not you can be seen, your energy and tone are critical for showing your enthusiasm and professionalism.

Be Yourself:
While professionalism is essential, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Be open and honest about any distractions or issues that arise—this humanizes the interaction and builds rapport.

Bring Energy:
Because it’s harder to gauge enthusiasm in a virtual setting, bring extra energy to your responses. Smile, nod, and engage with the camera. For phone interviews, use an upbeat tone and be mindful of pacing—avoid rapid speech and instead, focus on clarity and pauses.

Pacing:
In both settings, avoid speaking too quickly due to nerves. Slow down, pause if needed, and allow space for the interviewer to interject. This will help make the conversation smoother and more natural.

Eye Contact:
For video interviews, look directly at the camera to simulate eye contact, ensuring you come across as engaged. On the phone, while body language isn’t visible, maintaining a conversational tone and showing active listening will demonstrate your attentiveness.

Posture and Movement:
In a video interview, sit at arm’s length from the camera to maintain a comfortable and professional look. Avoid excessive movement, like rocking or fidgeting, which could distract the interviewer. If you need something to keep your hands occupied, a pen or stress ball can help.

Having your resume, cover letter, job description, and any notes ready and nearby for quick reference is acceptable and encouraged.

Food and Drink:
Avoid eating or chewing gum during your interview, whether it’s virtual or in-person. Having water nearby is a good idea, but make sure your drinkware is professional—preferably solid-colored and without logos. Clear glass containers are also a good option.

Notes:
It’s okay, and often recommended, to take notes during the interview. However, typing on a keyboard may be distracting, so consider using a notebook and pen/pencil instead. Be sure to let your interviewer know you are taking notes to avoid any misunderstandings.

You can also bring your own notes, such as examples, accomplishments, or questions you plan to ask. If your notes are digital, keep them off to the side of the screen to avoid distractions.

Internet Searches:
Avoid conducting internet searches during the interview. If you need additional information, it’s better to ask for clarification directly from the interviewer. Searching online can be noticed through reflections or your eye movements, and it may give the impression that you’re not fully engaged, which could hurt your candidacy.