Since WFH is the new norm and lockdowns are looming around every corner a lot of interviews are now held online. They save you money on travel, and time.
Yet for you it can be just as unnerving sat in the Zoom Waiting Room as it would be face to face! Sweaty palms and foreheads even without the rush of a commute.
Download the app first
Familiarise yourself with the platform they will be using, whether it’s Teams or Zoom, each might be a little different so maybe ask a friend to help you set up a call and find a good spot.
Look presentable
We’ve all seen those dodgy videos calls online where someone leaves their camera on when they shouldn’t. I get the interviewer won’t see if your shoes have been shined but dress to impress anyway! Avoid hoodies or low-cut tops, something smart and colourful can say a lot about you.
Have your CV in front of you
Your interviewer will ask you questions on it, so why not have it there?! Just for a prompt, you’ll be surprised how quickly things leave your mind when you’re under pressure. When someone asks you “What skills make you right for the role?” instead of thinking about the last party trick you did, it might be better to stick to the professional ones written on your CV
Body language
Although there’s no shaking hands, or sitting opposite your interviewer it’s still best to watch your body language. Make sure you smile when you start, a smile can go a long way and ease any tensions at the start of the call.
Eye contact is important so try to look at the camera instead of the screen, especially if the screen is at a different angle.
Try not to flap about and tap your feet or hands as it will come across as impatience or that you’re stressed
Find a good spot
You want to be in a well-lit area, and sat comfortably.
Ideally, that you are sitting either on an office or dining chair with supportive backs. If this isn’t possible there are some backgrounds available through the apps, maybe best not to pick the Bahamas or accidentally change yourself in to a potato…
Avoid sitting on sofas or the bed; these are areas are associated with comfort and won’t give the support or professional look you need.
Have some REALLY good questions lined up
Avoid questions like “how much holiday do I get?”, “how much sick pay do I get?” although these are important, the finer details of these things can be clarified later down the line.
Good questions to ask are things like –
- Will I have targets in my role?
- Outside of the job role, what would you expect from me in the first year?
- What are some of the challenges I am likely to face in this role?
- If I work really hard would I get the opportunity to progress in the company?
- What is the company culture like?
Finally
Enjoy the interview, relax and enjoy it, sales interviews can actually be really good fun, you’ll meet some new people, you’ll learn more about the company, you’ll probably learn something new about yourself, you might make a few mistakes but you’ll know not to do that next time. If you don’t get the job – don’t worry – maybe, it’s just not meant to be or maybe you can apply again in the future if you really want to.