At Black Diamond Networks we work with our clients to source the technical talent their company needs to meet project schedules, achieve mission-critical goals, and respond to unexpected market fluctuations. While we have local recruiting teams that source talent for companies in close proximity to our office locations, many of our clients are spread across the country making an in-person interview unrealistic. To bridge these geographical gaps, many of our clients choose to conduct interviews virtually; typically over a video conferencing platform like Skype or GoToMeeting. If you’re new to contracting you might be asking yourself, “how do I prepare for a virtual interview?”
While the same general guidelines apply to prepare for a virtual interview, there are a few special considerations to think about before you sit down at the computer.
Prepare as You Normally Would
Prepare for your virtual interview in the same way you would if you were going into the company’s office. You should still research background information about the company, double check that your resume and work experience are current, and make sure to look up and connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn. Think of potential answers you’d give to commonly asked interview questions and consider how your professional experience would translate to success should the company decide to hire you. Virtual interviews are only different in that you’re not physically in front of the interviewer. So do your due diligence the same way you would for an in-person interview.
Get Your Computer, Webcam, and Microphone Ready
This may seem obvious, but you’ll want to make sure that the technology you’ll be using to conduct the interview is ready for the task at hand. Fire up your computer and make sure your webcam and microphone are plugged into the correct ports. Next, check to make sure to check that your computer is accepting input from both devices. If you’re using Skype to conduct the interview you can check the status of any connected inputs by clicking settings cog and selecting either the audio device or video device options.
Get Dressed
Just because you won’t be physically in front of the interviewer doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress the part. When most people think of a virtual interview they conjure up the classic image of someone sitting in front of a computer in nothing more than their underwear, a dress shirt, and a tie. While this is perfectly fine for most virtual interviews, we recommend taking the extra time to complete your look with a pair of slacks or dress pants just in case. It takes less than a minute, and it will benefit you in the off chance you need to get up during the interview.
Check Your Surroundings
Depending on the quality of your webcam, the interviewer may be able to see anything and everything behind the desk you’re sitting at or the chair you’re sitting in. If you’re conducting the interview from the comfort of your own home, make sure to check the background for anything that would be potentially off-putting for a potential employer to see. There’s no reason to get into specifics, but don’t forget to take a second to look behind you.
If you have an upcoming virtual interview for a contract position through Black Diamond Networks, we wish you good luck. Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to acing the virtual interview and getting the contract position you want.
Looking for your next contracting opportunity? Browse our open jobs here.
