Do you have an upcoming job interview? The HR personnel of a company has just reached out to you to inquire when you would be available for an interview with the hiring manager. It’s understandable to feel slightly nervous, regardless of how far along you are in your career. Yet remember that a job interview is not only for the hiring manager to assess your suitability for the role, but also a chance for you to be more acquainted with the company’s organisational culture.

For those of you who have not recently gone for an interview, there has been a radical shift in hiring practices. Companies place a heavy emphasis on a candidates’ soft skills and culture fit. It is no longer sufficient for you to possess the requisite technical abilities; you also have to mesh well with the team.

As such, companies will require you to take personality profiling tests so that they can gain a deeper insight into your core traits. Popular personality tests include the DiSC behaviour inventory and the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

Moreover, with the Covid-19 pandemic dramatically disrupting the way we work, the recruitment process is similarly not spared. Once a rarity, remote hiring is now commonplace—and virtual interviews on Zoom or Google Meet have become the norm. To aid you in your preparation, here are four practical tips on how to ace a virtual job interview!

1. Optimise your virtual interview space

In the past, hiring managers were able to assess you based on your body language. However, in the current configuration, all they can see on their rectangular screens is your face as well as your background. If you desire to be viewed in the best light possible (both literally and figuratively), you will need to angle a desk light towards your face. Avoid light sources from behind you lest you turn into a dark silhouette.

Also, don’t forget to use an appropriate virtual background for your virtual interview. It is ideal to select backgrounds which replicate an office environment. Make sure that your virtual background is easy on the eyes, with no jarring colours or distracting details.

2. Dress professionally

Even though only your face is captured on camera, you should still don fitting corporate attire from head to toe. Ladies can choose to wear either a formal dress or a blouse and skirt, while men can choose between a suit or a blazer. Besides avoiding any potential embarrassment if you had to stand up for some reason, it greatly boosts your confidence.

3. Test your technology and log in early

On the day of the virtual interview, you should do a speed test to ensure that your internet is operating at optimum speed. If your home WiFi is unreliable, endeavour to find another quiet space with strong and stable connection. Remember to log in to the video conferencing platform at least five minutes early, so that you are ready to start the interview on time.

4. Engage the hiring manager

During a virtual interview, the onus is on you to establish a connection with the interviewer which transcends physical distance. Opportunities to showcase your personality are more limited, but you can still come across as personable and easy to talk to. Be intentional about avoiding monologues or one-sided conversations. A good practice is to ask the hiring manager thoughtful questions and look for commonalities in his or her responses—this will help you to build rapport with the hiring manager.

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