Here’s what you’re doing wrong during virtual interviews

Now that more people are working from home, remote interviews are on the rise—along with a host of potential ways to screw them up.

However, there are some purported benefits of digitization, especially for women, according to a recent study conducted by Logitech in the UK.

A survey of 2,000 UK employees found that 56% of women interviewed preferred video interviews to face-to-face meetings, Jam Press reported.

Women find remote interviews to be “less intense” than face-to-face meetings in an office environment. They said they felt more freedom to dress however they wanted and less pressure to make eye contact with prospective employers for a long period of time.

The “awkward” waiting room experience before an interview is also completely eliminated.

Men prefer video interviews much less than women. Only 23% enjoy being on camera because they think they “look better” on screen than they do in reality. However, 36% of men find video chats uncomfortable.

Career coach Sonia Barlow shares her interview tips, both in person and on screen.

“In the past, interviews felt like entering a one-way relationship,” Barlow explained. “But today, I believe you go into that meeting with curiosity, confidence, and attention to find out if this is the long-term relationship you’re also after,” she said.

She added: “Interviews can be the hardest part of the job process, and virtual interviews have extra elements to consider.”

Barlow shares the following advice for conducting the perfect video interview.

“Make sure your camera is level, try not to look down at your notes (which can be mistaken for nerves) and remember to mute the voice button,” she said.

To prepare for the meeting, she suggests going over the requirements for the job posting and writing down an example of how interviewees might work for each ahead of time.

Job applicants should also role play and ask themselves interview questions and then practice answering them.

Asking good questions is just as important as speaking up for yourself. One should have questions for employers handy and keep them on the screen during the virtual interview.

Her vital preparation tips include checking camera equipment at least 10 minutes before use and taking time to rest before the call.

During the interview, Barlow advises interviewees to present themselves with confidence and enthusiasm before explaining how their experience and skills meet the requirements of the job.

When answering questions, potential workers should take their time and use the STAR method. The STAR Method is an acronym that helps people structure their answers to questions. This means: the situation, the time, the action you took and the result you achieved. She said if people need to pause before answering, they can say “great question, let me think about that.”

After the conversation ends, Barlow urges the interviewees to relax again. She recommends people watch a favorite TV show or movie and then take a moment to celebrate how far they’ve come.

After the dust settles, people should reflect on what went well in the interview and what could be improved so they can be ready for the next one.

Applicants should send their potential employers a follow-up email thanking them for their time. The message should describe how much they enjoyed the chat, something that stood out in the interview, and a link to the LinkedIn profile.

Last but not least, never give up. Bad interviews are only a temporary roadblock to success.

Barlow’s advice may come in handy for the 66% of respondents who said they felt nervous during virtual interviews.

Survey participants cited technical issues such as Wi-Fi dropouts and poor microphone quality as the main problems with video interviews. However, over half of the respondents pointed out how remote interviewing allows for a major advantage – staying in the comfort of their own homes.

Up to 58% of those interviewed made sure they had strong preparation and a quality webcam for their virtual calls, although not all were so prepared.

“Many remote and hybrid workers are still underequipped and struggling with pre-pandemic-era solutions,” a Logitech spokesperson said.

“With the rise of virtual interviews and working from home, we’re supporting workers in their success, from application to onboarding,” they said.