Although online interviews have been gaining popularity in the past 2-3 years, it definitely became the norm in 2020. Typically reserved to complement or replace the phone screen process, in 2020 100% of the interviews I helped RIT students get were online. From the initial “phone” screen all the way to 2nd and 3rd round interviews, companies were happy to embrace technology to handle the hiring process.
Seeing how online interviews are probably here to stay, in this article I will cover the different types of virtual interviews, what to expect from a virtual interview, how to prepare and answer the most common interview questions, and how to set up your dorm room for a virtual interview.
Technically speaking, there are two types of online video interviews: the automated interview and the one on one video interview. I explain more about it below:
Automated Video Interview or Virtual ”Phone Screen”
Back in the old days, aka 2018, companies would typically schedule a phone interview with potential candidates to get to know them better before inviting them to an in person interview. Typically known as a phone screen, it was usually between a candidate and someone from HR. HR would then decide if they passed you on to the next round of interviews. In the past two years, this phone screen has been replaced by a virtual video interview. There are several companies that offer this service and the most popular is probably HireVue. In a virtual video interview/automated video screen, the company you applied to sends you a link to an online portal and typically gives you 3-5 days to complete the interview. Once you click on the link, a prompt pops up describing how to work the software. Basically it tells you that you’ll press a button when you’re ready to start which then leads to another screen that has the interview question they want you to answer. Once you’re done answering, you can press stop and review your answer and decide if you want to redo or if you want to continue to the next question. They typically ask you 3-5 questions and give you 3 tries to answer each question. Sometimes they’ll give you a time limit from when you start to when you end, however most instances they give you as much time as needed as long as you complete the interview in one sitting.
This virtual interview is one sided meaning you aren’t talking directly with someone and the focus is typically behavioral questions. Below I’ve included the top 3 most common questions you will be asked along with how to best answer them.
One on One Video Interview
The other type of virtual interview is when you’re talking to someone one on one through a video call. This format is closer to an in-person interview where you’ll be able to answer and ask questions in real time. Usually employers schedule time with you and the hiring manager in 30 mins increments so that you both get to know each other. Think of it as a FaceTime call with a potential employer
How to prepare for an online virtual video interview
To prepare for the online virtual video interview, the best recommendation is to have solid answers to the following questions:
Tell me about yourself
Why should we hire you?
Tell me about a challenging coworker/project/situation and how did you handle it?
Below is an excerpt from my book “Big 4 Interview Questions” where I cover this and other questions:
1. Tell me about yourself
Purpose: This is asked to get a better idea of who you are and why you’re there. Make it count!
Typical Answer: “My name is John and I’m from Anywhere Town, USA. I went to State University where I majored in Game Design & Development and graduated with a 3.5 GPA. I’m looking for a job so that’s why I applied here.”
Problem with Typical Answer: You are describing EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. EVER. It’s not original at all and instead of making you stand out from the crowd, it just makes you another generic candidate.
Best Answer: “I’m a graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Game Design and Development. I was heavily involved in organizations like the Board Game Society and graduated at the top of my class with a 3.5 GPA. I am here because I want to work for ABC Company since I feel my experience at my previous job doing analysis for a similar industry will help the company reach its goals.
I have also talked to peers, people who have worked here, and did research online. They all agree that ABC Company is a great place to work and learn.”
Why this is the Best Answer: Instead of giving them a generic view of yourself, you are already standing out by mentioning that you are a go getter (involvement in Board Game Society) and you’ve done research on the hiring company. Most candidates apply for the job because they’re available.
You, on the other hand, applied because that’s the job you want. Eager candidates have a higher likelihood of getting hired because they are seen as team players and willing to go the extra mile. Doing research on the company makes the interviewer think “If s/he did this much work just for the interview, imagine how much effort s/he’ll put into it once we make an offer!”
Make sure to include something about your background, how that got you here and why you want to be here.
What makes you different from other candidates?
Another variant of this is: Why should we hire you?
Purpose: This question is typically asked towards the end of the interview and it is used to see if there is anything else you would like to mention to make your case as the top candidate.
Typical Answer: “I’m a hard worker, I’m dedicated, and I’m a team player.”
Problem with Typical Answer: What makes you think you’re the only applicant who is hardworking, dedicated, and/or a team player? Chances are everyone else gave the same answer.
Best Answer: “I haven’t met the other candidates so I don’t know if they’re better than me but something that I know makes me different is my ability to find solutions/get everyone on the team to work together/get done things on time.
For example, there was the time when I found a solution/got everyone on the team to work together/finished a project before the deadline by...(provide examples).”
Why this is the Best Answer: For this question you will obviously come up with one of your strengths as what makes you different from the other candidates. An important point is to use a strength that relates to the job at hand.
If you notice that the job description has several instances of needing an expert in Java, bring that up as your strength. If communication is what the job requires, bring up examples of why you’re better at communication than everyone else (member of debate team, editor of college newsletter, etc.)
However, what will turn this answer from good to great is citing examples. Instead of just saying that you’re good with Java, talk about examples where you have used Java successfully in the past. Tie that into how your previous Java experience will tie in with the hiring company’s needs.
Tell me about a challenging coworker/project/situation and how did you handle it?
Another variant is “Give me an example of how you successfully dealt with someone who was difficult.” Same question, different words.
Purpose: They want to know how you deal with conflict.
Typical Answer: “I just see what they’re mad about and try to fix it”
Problem with Typical Answer: By this point you should realize that saying something without providing proof is not good for your interview. Provide an example along with what you did.
Best Answer: “One time this coworker didn’t want to help out at all. Instead of going straight to the professor, I met with him and asked him if anything was the matter. Turns out he was overwhelmed with his school work which is why he wasn’t able to finish the tasks we had agreed to. We worked out a plan where we shifted some of his work to others so that he could still do the work he could. I made him aware that next time he could just tell me and not have to let things slip through the cracks.”
Why This is the Best Answer: You answered and provided proof and the reasoning behind your answer. You are walking the walk and talking the talk.
Choosing your virtual interview space
Odds are, you’ll do your virtual interview in your dorm or apartment. Although some people may want you to choose the “perfect” virtual background, I find it easier and as effective to omit a virtual background and just use a wall or a clean section of your dorm room as your background. I find virtual backgrounds distracting and also notice that sometimes the software blurs my face if I move too much.
The best option would be a natural background like your bedroom or any other room in your house/apartment/dorm room. When setting up your camera, have it as close to eye level as possible. Otherwise your interview recording will be of someone looking up your nostrils and I don’t think recruiters like that. You can easily do this by setting your laptop on top of a stack of books.
If you have multiple monitors, make sure that the monitor that has the camera is the same one where you have the prompt or the person that is interviewing you.
Now that you’re more familiar with what a virtual interview is and have a better idea of what to expect, go out there and get some interviews. Not sure how to get started? Check out this article where I show you how to create the perfect resume.
Be Bold!
Ramon