Making an exemplary impression during an interview is always important. Depending on the interview, you may only have 10 minutes to make a lasting excellent impression with a professional in your field. With most interviews now being conducted online or over the phone, it is especially important to ensure the environment around you, your home, is as presentable as possible.
An elemental key to success with online interviews is to ensure that the lighting in your apartment, office, or workspace is abundant. With the way that most cameras are positioned, your interviewer will only see you from the chest up, so take advantage of natural sunlight from a window, or place a lamp behind your monitor to reduce any shadows that may occur in your space. This may take some tinkering depending on your space, so be sure to check how you look online through either Microsoft Teams or Zoom prior to your interview for the most success. When trying out natural sunlight or a lamp, be sure to tinker around the same time as your interview for similar lighting at the time of your interview.
Once you have perfected the lighting, you should declutter your surroundings to ensure minimal distractions. The goal of the interview is for the interviewer to be focused on you and your knowledge and expertise, not the band poster hanging on your wall or your unmade bed. If possible, always avoid interviewing in your bedroom or kitchen. If these spaces are the only ones available, try hanging up a curtain behind you, or adding a room divider to your room. If you are unable to do this, and your interview is on Microsoft Teams or Zoom, add a virtual background prior to your interview. Always be sure to test your chosen background ahead of time, as discussed above with room lighting.
Finally, if you live at home or in a shared space with roommates, communicate your interview time with them ahead of time and create a plan for any animals in your household. By communicating your interview time with your roommates, you can potentially avoid any loud disturbances or someone walking in your space during the interview. Be sure to remind your roommates a few times to ensure that they know what is going on. If you have an animal such as a dog or cat, find a place outside of your room or in a kennel for them to stay during your interview. If your animal does not enjoy being secluded from others, find a friend, family member, or daycare that can watch them. By doing this, you can help limit any disturbance that may distract you or your interviewer and ensure that the conversation is always focused on your skills and knowledge.
Interviewing online is not always the easiest, but by following these suggestions, in addition to standard interview prep, you can ensure that you put your best foot forward when applying to a position. If you would like further guidance on this topic, please feel free to contact the Voiland College Internships & Career Services office (vcea.internships@wsu.edu) or join us for Drop-In Express Career Coaching on Zoom, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and we would be happy to give you feedback on any backgrounds or lighting options you try!