4 Practical Ways to Improve Your Online Interview Skills Before Graduation

Preparing for graduation is an exciting time, but it may also increase the pressure to perform at the next level, particularly when it comes to job interviews. Since the global pandemic of 2020, an increasing number of job interviews and possibilities have become virtual. This indicates that you have another job search skill to acquire or hone.

How therefore can you distinguish yourself during an online interview?

Fortunately, returning to school involves getting on to interact with teachers and classmates in virtual classrooms, as well as staying in touch with family and friends back home. In the months coming up to graduation, being connected affords extra opportunities to practice online presence and professionalism.

Taking advantage of these regular contacts and recognizing opportunities to answer questions more clearly, connect the dots, and ask meaningful follow-up questions alleviates some of the strain associated with formal practice for upcoming job interviews.

Here are a few ways you may use your everyday experiences as a student to improve your online interviewing skills before you graduate:

Schedule video calls

Unlike the time required to physically drive to a meeting, it takes only one minute to join a video chat, thus there is little justification for being late. Adopt the practice of treating your call times seriously by adding them to your schedule or calendar, just as you would for an online interview.

Even if it's only to catch up with friends and family, apply some pressure to be prepared and schedule a call in advance. Inform them that their prompt arrival will help you prepare for the meeting.

Need to postpone a scheduled call? Create a method for modifying the call time that mirrors how you would handle it in a professional environment. This will prevent you from freezing or becoming anxious when the time comes.

Set up for showtime

Before beginning a video call, ensure that you and your surroundings are prepared for success. After selecting a presentable wardrobe (yes, you should practice looking and feeling your best on camera to appear natural), use the video preview prior to each conversation to adjust the room's lighting and remove any clutter. Lastly, inform your home that you will be on a call and would want silence for the duration of the chat.

Observe how people show themselves on camera throughout your next few online video chats. By establishing these routines for calls with loved ones, you will be less likely to experience anxiety or overlook an important point when preparing for an online interview.

Practice active listening

Since the interviewer will not be physically present throughout the interview, you must learn how to make them feel connected to you through the computer.

Even when engaging in informal conversation with family and friends, be mindful of your listening abilities and demonstrate that you are giving them your complete attention. Actions such as nodding your head at the proper times and asking smart follow-up questions are excellent ways to display your undivided attention to the caller.

Eye contact is also an effective approach to demonstrate attentiveness and interest in the conversation. This can be difficult to accomplish during an online interview. Looking into your camera to establish a virtual connection with a person requires practice to feel natural. Consider where you direct your gaze during casual talks. Remember that if you are staring at your screen, you will appear to be looking away from the viewer.

Communicate professionally

Maintaining a professional demeanor, even via Zoom, is crucial to demonstrating your work quality in an online interview. Written communication is an essential component of the online interview experience. Emails with misspellings and slang are likely to be disregarded, whereas a professional email would likely receive a response.

Communicate with everyone using full sentences to maintain your grammar and communication abilities. It is common to use abbreviations while corresponding with pals, but when messaging recruiters, it is essential to convey your professionalism.

If you are not accustomed to communicating well through writing, your writing is likely to sound forced or excessively wordy. Learn how to be direct and communicate effectively through writing that is both natural and professional, especially while communicating with friends.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is more necessary than ever to establish a professional web presence that demonstrates your skills to recruiting firms. Consistently practice your online interview abilities in order to be well-prepared for your upcoming interview.

You may be confident that the next time you participate in an online zoom interview, your online interview skills will be sharp enough to help you land your ideal job!