In-Person vs. Virtual Interviews - The Aesthetics!

Even though the world right now seems to be in infinite #lockdown, there will be a time for #in-person #interviews again. Till then, let me share some views and #tips on #presenting your best self in the virtual world.

When we prepare for an in-person interview we want to look nice, well-dressed, with a crisp ironed shirt and a blazer (with a tie if you identify as male), get a manicure probably, not a hair out of place, easy on the cologne, etc. Does it have to be any different when your on #Zoom? NOT AT ALL! In fact there is even more effort required in order to make sure they see what you see in the mirror. Make sure the light is in front or behind you. If you are actively interviewing, its not a bad idea to invest in a few accessories like a ring light. If possible check your camera ahead of time to ensure the seat you have is at eye level or above when in front of the camera. Maybe invest in a web cam for better resolution and flexibility of angle. The sound is very important for obvious reasons so make sure you check that in advance. You can also invest in a mic for better sound or noise cancelling headphones if you have a potentially noisy neighbourhood. You background is best when uncluttered and in single colour, in fact I prefer setting up against a wall with no back ground to avoid distraction. I am not a fan of those backgrounds as well as they don't work well and you tend to fade in and out of the screen when you move around.

Next thing to keep in mind is your body language. Yes it matters and shows on screen too! To establish the initial connection its beneficial to have good (not scary) eye contact. You don't need to look at the camera, you are not shooting for movie so look at the person on the other side of the screen. This is why you should set your camera at or slightly above eye level. Make sure you are seated at the center of the screen with you shoulders and part of upper body visible. This makes it easy to see your body language better through hand gestures, which brings me to the next point. Move those hands with intention and caution! Try not use them just because I told you to. Gestures that you can use your hands for include up, above, top, large, big , small, whole, equal, etc; Most importantly don't forget to smile!

Lastly, ensure that you test the invite link, have an updated browser or the app, practice sharing screens, do a #sound and #video check and check your internet speed to avoid hang ups and delays on the day itself. #Technology can fail us from time to time but that is exactly why we need to minimize human error.

In my next post I will be sharing some tips on verbal cues and skills. Stay tuned till then or #connect with me for further details and #coaching on how to present the best version of yourself because it all counts!