It is no secret that interviewing can be intimidating. Now, add in preparing for an interview virtually and you're wondering how you can still nail your interview, but you do not know where to start. Luckily, LaunchCode understands the difficulty and wants to help! Whether it is a phone or video interview, here are a few tricks and tips to make you stand out during your next interview.
The Prep
Be Prepared, don’t wing it. This is your opportunity to shine, don't let the preparation be the reason why you didn't get the job!
- Get to know about the company. You should know their values, what they’re working on, etc.
- Think of any questions you have. Whether it's about the role, the team, the culture, or something else having your questions written down in front of you can help you guide the conversation. Here are some examples to get you started.
- Know how you want to introduce yourself in 60 seconds or less. Give the interviewer a feel for who you are but nothing too personal.
- Be ready to talk about your internship or relevant work experience. Why are these things applicable in the field you are trying to jumpstart your career in? Think of topics that you can turn into a humblebrag. Talk about why you chose a career in tech and why you love it!
- Think about your career goals and how you want to convey them. Your previous experience is valuable, but interviewers also want to know where you see yourself in the future.
The Setup
Set the scene for success. Make sure you'll be comfortable and undistracted throughout your conversation.
- Ensure you have a quiet environment the entire time. Have your roommate take the dog out, turn off all TVs, tell your neighbors to be quiet for a few minutes, and rid the place of any distracting sounds. Consider reserving space at your library or a coworking office.
- Check your tech. Technological difficulties happen all the time, think about how you can mitigate them. Test your sound and video meeting software beforehand. Check your wifi connection and, if possible make sure you have an extra device you can use if necessary! If your computer connection drops, call the conference line immediately.
- Move objects that appear in the frame and could pose a distraction. It’s best to sit in front of a solid wall (white, if possible).
- Use a well-lit room to record your video and find natural light if possible. Position yourself behind lights so that your face is clearly visible and not backlit or dark from shadows. Think of a photo shoot and how the photographers position the lights in front of you! Have a ring light? Use that!
- Have in front of you the manager's name, title, job description, your resume, and notepad. Be sure to have all the information on hand. Highlight sections of core experience skills from your resume while also having written examples of where you have performed duties asked for in the job description.
The Call
- Dress Nicely. We recommend dressing either business professional or business casual. This means high-cut tops, a solid or subtle patterned top, no flashy jewelry, and subtle makeup (if applicable). It’s best to wear soft or deeper-toned tops. Dress as if you were going to an in-person job fair or interview. Even if it's just a phone call, looking good is feeling good!
- Dial in or answer at the exact time. Stay on the line for 10 minutes to allow the manager time to join. If the manager does not join the call in 10 minutes, call your recruiter immediately!
- Be ready for a behavioral question. This podcast helps you write a behavioral question. Although it does not help you prepare for behavioral questions, I suggest listening to it to understand what types of questions you might be asked, and how they will be asked.
- Be aware of your body language. Keep your hands away from your face to avoid messing with your hair, scratching your nose, or overuse of hand gestures. Do not chew gum, fidget, or move around a lot while recording. Get rid of distractions.
Be Prepared to Answer...
Typical questions from hiring managers, like the ones below:
- Tell me about yourself. This should be answered only about your professional background and how it fits the job you are interviewing for.
- Why do you want this job? Talk about how the client’s corporate mission fits with your career goals.
- What are your strengths? Based on the job description, use your skill sets as a strength for each bullet point they are asking for.
- What are your weaknesses? This is a good time to be honest but also show the employer how your weakness is recognized and you are finding ways to overcome that obstacle. Additionally, consider how you could turn a weakness into a strength.
- Why did you leave your last job? Now, this is not the time to bash on any company. Never do that! Navigate this tricky question but remain professional and honest on how you are looking for a position that benefits your career development.
- Where do you want to be (in the future)? How will your career development fit with this position's values and your future goals? Be honest.
...and Ask
Clarifying questions that help you get to know the role, the company, the culture, and expectations.
- Can you tell me more about the history and scope of the job that may not be written in the job description?
- Can you tell me what results you’d expect from the person in this job the first 30-60-90 days?
- What skills, experiences and work attributes are you hoping to find in the ideal candidate?
- What impact does it have on your group if this position goes unfilled?
- What can you tell me about the other team members and their roles and functions?
- ....and any other questions that you think of as you prepare!
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