Got a virtual interview coming up? If you’ve never done one before, you might be nervous even if you handle virtual meetings daily. And if you’re not frequently in virtual meetings, you’re probably more than a little nervous, but remember: although online job interviews and AI notetakers are part of the game now, you’re still the star. Your video call interview is going to be a lot like any other physical job interview you’ve been to. 

In this blog, we’re sharing some virtual interview tips to help you feel calm, confident, and ready to connect through a screen. Let’s build a few handy checklists to help you get set. 

But, first: Remember that all types of interviews have their advantages and disadvantages. 

Virtual interviews allow you to ditch the stress of commuting and give you control of your environment: cozy temperature, favorite mug in hand, and nobody can tell you’re wearing pajama pants. 

That said, interviewing online exercises different muscles. Tech hiccups can kill your flow. Nailing “on-camera charisma” (without real-life energy exchange) takes practice. But as you start to feel those jitters, here’s the upside: You’re in your comfort zone, and your notes are a glance away.

With that positive attitude, let’s dive into those interview preparation tips.

4 Mini Checklists to Help You Nail Every Virtual Interview

Mini Checklist # 1: Your Setup

• Tech that works (without the headache)

If your wi-fi is not 100% reliable, here’s a quick fix (other than hotspotting via your smartphone): Grab a $10 Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.  

• Lighting that lets your personality show

Face the window during your virtual interview or order an inexpensive ring light from Amazon. You want the interviewer to see your eyes light up when you talk about that project you aced. 

• Also, you don’t need a soulless background

Save the white background for passport photos. You don’t need to hide your life and personality away for your interview. Just make sure whatever is visible is presentable. A tidy bookshelf, a happy plant, or even that funky art print you love. Let it whisper, “I’m a professional, but I’m also me.”

• Prepare for the unexpected

Let your fellow inhabitants know that you have a virtual interview. Share the timing in advance and remind everyone beforehand. But what if your cat decides to make an on-screen appearance, or your kiddo needs a snack mid-interview? Know this: It could happen to anyone. Just smile, pause, and say, “Let me fix this quickly!”

Mini Checklist # 2: Befriend All The Tech

• AI tools are your sidekicks:

Apps like InterviewPrepAI can mock-interview you at 2:00 a.m., flagging “umms” or awkward pauses. Plus, all that practice is sure to help you handle your actual virtual interview with greater confidence. 

If you feel like you need it, AI can also help you research frequently asked questions and answers for your virtual interview.

If there are questions that you find especially hard to answer (or if there are any you’re dreading), use AI tools like ChatGPT to help you come up with impressive, positive answers. (Pro tip: If you’re not happy with the first answer, keep offering feedback and getting tweaked versions until you’re satisfied). 

By the way, if you’re worried about questions around gaps in your resume, we’ve got a blog just for that. 

• When your interview is not just virtual, but virtual reality:

If you’re invited to a Meta VR room, practice waving or nodding naturally. But don’t stress, the tech is new, and your interviewer would likely have encountered others using it for the first time. You can even say: “I’m new to VR interviews, but this is cool!” Admitting nerves makes you relatable.

• Remember to relax:

Smile like you’re chatting with a friend. Lean into the camera (it creates a connection!). Throw in a “That’s such a great question!” to keep it human. It’s also okay to pause to think before you answer or to list considerations if you need more time to respond.

Mini Checklist #3: Homework

• Stalk smarter, not harder:

Dive into the company’s LinkedIn and blog before your virtual interview. For healthcare roles, check for clinical trial updates. In finance, look for fintech partnerships. For retail, stalk their TikTok campaigns. Drop a “I loved your team’s work on [specific project]. How does that align with your goals for [industry trend]?”

• Active listening does half the work for you:

Nod, say “Totally!” or “Tell me more!” For tech roles, ask: “How does your AI roadmap tackle [specific challenge]?” In manufacturing, try “What’s been the biggest win with automating [process]?”

• Post-interview moves:

Send a thank-you email and a LinkedIn voice note. For energy/transportation roles: “Your smart grid demo inspired me!” For life sciences, you might say something like: “Your gene-editing webinar was fascinating!”

Pro tip: Reference a niche trend they’re tackling and chat with them a little about it toward the end of the virtual interview. Something like, “How are you balancing sustainability with supply chain costs?” if you’re in retail. Be sure to do enough research to have a conversation.

Mini Checklist # 4: Disaster-proofing 

(These dos and don’ts are the virtual interview equivalent of carrying a spare shirt to your interview on a rainy day.)

Pro tip: Do a “disaster drill” mock virtual interview. For instance, unplug your router mid-call. Nail the recovery. Pretend your cat jumped on your laptop and hit the off button; practice your recovery. Practice whatever is worrying you most. 

Enjoyed Our Remote Interview Tips? You’ll Enjoy Our Job-Matches Even More! 

You’ve nailed the tech, aced your prep, and mastered the art of virtual interview charm. Now it’s time to line up some job interviews that match your energy. 

At SPECTRAFORCE, we don’t just fill jobs; our goal is NEWJOBPHORIA, where every candidate feels a sense of euphoria when they join their new job. How do we achieve this? Our proprietary AI tool is able to understand your multi-faceted personality, helping our recruiters find you jobs based on your many skills and interests.  

Why settle for “just a job” when you can thrive? Explore openings tailored to your niche with our job search tools. When you work with SPECTRAFORCE, you are backed by recruiters who are updated on your industry’s interview trends (yes, even VR interviews!), salary benchmarks, and more. 

Ready to experience NEWJOBPHORIA? Let us help you find your dream job. 

FAQs

What if my Wi-Fi dies mid-interview?

Take the steps we suggested above to avoid this, but it it happens despite your best efforts, first, breathe. Tech hiccups can happen to anyone! Here’s your game plan:

Step 1 – Quick fix: Smile and say, “So sorry, my internet’s being finicky. Let me reconnect quickly!” (Pro tip: Have the interviewer’s phone number saved beforehand to call if you drop.)

Step 2 – Backup plan: Use your phone’s hotspot (test it beforehand!) or borrow a friend’s place with stronger Wi-Fi. You’ve got options!

How do I stand out when they’re interviewing 100 people? 

Start by bringing genuine enthusiasm to your virtual interview: greet your interviewer with a warm “So great to meet you!” and close with “This conversation got me even more excited about the role!” These are simple phrases that add human-ness to the virtual exchange. 

You can also dive deeper by referencing a specific project or blog post they’ve shared (“I saw your team launched XYZ… How’s the feedback been?”). This shows you’ve done your homework and care about their work. 

What mistakes should I avoid in a remote job interview? 

Here are three of the top mistakes our recruiters have noticed: 

• The Zombie Stare: Gluing your eyes to your notes. Looking at the screen instead of the camera lens! (Stick a googly eye next to your webcam as a reminder against these). 
• Background chaos: Piles of laundry or a barking dog. 
• Over-rehearsing: Sounding like a robot reading a script? Practice with a buddy, then wing it. Sounding passionate (and knowledgeable) is more important than a perfectly worded script. 

Do I really need to send a thank-you email after a virtual interview?

Yes, absolutely, but be sure to personalize what you send.

• Timing: Send it within about 24 hours rather than immediately.
• Keep it human: Don’t say “Thank you for your time.” Try: “I loved how you described the team’s culture. It reminded me of [relevant anecdote]! I’d be thrilled to bring that same energy.”