Does anyone have any functional advice for live virtual interviews? I think it would be easier to show enthusiasm in person, so how have people gone about this behind a screen? Equally, it's obviously important to look at the webcam when you're speaking to give the impression of eye contact, but it's not the same as actual eye contact - if I were to look at them, I'd be looking downwards.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated
Hi
@Jxmxs00
Some of my tips would be:
1 )Have your laptop positioned in a way that allows your camera to be at eye-level. I think this makes the interview feel and look more natural (as natural as it can anyway) rather than you looking 'down' at your interviewers. So I often put my laptop on some of my textbooks.
2) Try and lead the initial introduction. So once you are let in to the interview, don't sit awkwardly but rather try to be the first to say hello with a smile (sounds cheesy but I think because everything is virtual, more
is better than less)
3) If you have more than one interviewer, make sure you try to address them both rather than just staring straight into the camera.
4) I also think to mimic a real life setting, try and sit in a way that allows your upper torso to be seen. I think in a normal setting, whilst some mannerisms like using your hands may be discouraged, I think in a virtual setting you want to show that you are engaged even more and this can be done through your body language (rather than just showing your face and shoulders). Even mannerisms like nodding along are key to show you are paying attention.
5) Always have a glass of water as you would in a real interview, which you can use to give yourself a second to think by taking a sip if need be.
6) I guess my final point would be to Smile Smile Smile! I think this is so important in helping set the tone and to present you as a warm and confident person. People naturally mirror each other so try as much as you can to set the scene.
Hope this helps & best of luck!