The business world has been forced to completely evolve over the last year. Many workers are performing the duties of their job from home instead of going into an office every day. The use of online job interviews has also drastically gone up recently. Since this is a completely different experience than an in-person interview, you may have to do a little bit of preparation. These are the four biggest online job interview mistakes you must avoid at all costs.
Technical Difficulties
There are several different online systems that a potential employer can use for the interview. All of these programs have their own quirks and features, so you should find out which one will be used ahead of the interview. This will allow you to test everything out the day before to ensure everything goes well. Struggling with the video call is the last way you want to start the interview.
Too Many Distraction
It is far too easy to get distracted when doing a job interview from the comfort of your home. Your pets, neighbors and small children do not know you are in the middle of an important meeting. Move the computer to the quietest part of the house. It is also recommended to have someone at the house to guard your room against potential distractions. It is hard to look professional if a cat jumps on your chair during the interview.
A Messy Background
Since online interviews are a fairly new concept, many people forget to check their background before starting the video call. The goal is to present a clean and professional look during the video call. You do not want your potential employer to see a messy bed or a bunch of dirty clothes in the background. Try turning the camera towards a decorated wall to provide a consistent background.
Wearing Wrong Clothes
While you may be doing the job interview from home, you still have to dress professionally. Wear the exact same clothes for the online interview that you would for one in person. Job interviews are all about putting on a professional appearance, and there is no easier way to do this than by wearing nice clothes. Wait to put on the sweatpants until after you get the job.