Although this is a time when unemployment is on the rise, pharmaceutical companies are still hiring for critical positions. Because of COVID-19, many workers are telecommuting, and company site access is restricted. With interviews occurring mostly online at this time, it is paramount to make a positive impression virtually. Here are 9 tips for master your next virtual job interview.
Before the virtual job interview
1. Look your best for success
You may not have worn makeup in weeks, but this is the time to get out that mascara, coverup and eyeshadow. Stick with natural makeup colors so that there are no unnecessary distractions. This means: no bright red or purple lipstick and no thick eyeliner or bright blue eyeshadow.
Rather than appearing with the messy bun that you may have had for weeks, opt instead to pull your hair back or keep it professional and polished.
Turn in the sweatshirt or T-shirt for a suit. If you are confident that you won’t be standing up during the virtual interview, you can pair the suit top with pajama bottoms. However, wearing the full suit may give you the mentality of being at an in-person interview.
If you are not wearing a suit, make sure to wear a conservative top with a u-neck or straight neckline. V necklines may get cut off on camera, depending on the angle.
2. Prepare the room
Turn on the camera prior to the interview and make sure that the back of the room does not have any distractions. Move furniture and posters out of view if possible.
Double check the angle of the camera so that it captures you in your professional clothing. Prop the camera up by putting the computer on some books so that you are not looking down to the camera.
Make sure that there is enough lighting. Possibly buy a circle light- these seem magical for making people look their best on camera.
3. Limit distractions
Line up childcare or find an empty office outside of your home if possible.
Having an interview during COVID-19 is like inviting a potential employer into your house. It is incredibly invasive but necessary. An interview inside your house will not be perfect, but you should also want to work for a company and with coworkers that will be understanding right now given that many of us work from home during the pandemic.
4. Prepare, prepare, prepare
Know about the pharma company’s pipeline and have questions about the position for which you’re interviewing. Do your research ahead of time to know with whom you will be interviewing. This research could include google searches or reviewing LinkedIn profiles.
Have your answers mentally prepared and ready to go for common questions such as “What was your most challenging time?” and “How do you manage conflict?” and “What is the proudest moment in your career?” Know your skill sets and how you demonstrated them in the past.
One effective way to answer interview questions is to utilize the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Results. Using the STAR method allows you to leverage your personal experiences to demonstrate how you exhibit certain success-oriented behaviors and also describes the results that were achieved. This is a method to practice prior to any interview, virtual or in person.
During the virtual job interview
5. Create connections
Creating interpersonal connections virtually is challenging. However, that does not mean you should not try to establish some kind of connection. In order to give the impression of looking people in the eye and maintaining eye contact, you will need to look at the camera rather than the face(s) on the screen. If you have any notes for yourself, write them on Post-it notes and stick them to the side of your screen so that you don’t need to look down at your notepad.
During the interview, try not to write extensive notes, as this may be distracting to the interviewer. Smile, nod, and repeat what people said so that you appear engaged in the conversation. Answer the interview questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of your abilities. Don’t be afraid to admit what you do not know. Ask open ended questions to keep the conversation engaging.
6. Be engaging when presenting
The worst thing to happen in a job seminar is when the interviewee stares at the screen rather than looking at the audience. In the virtual environment now, it is ironic that the presenter must look at the screen during the whole presentation.
Even when looking at your presentation slides on the screen, you can still try to engage with the audience during your job talk. Do remember that you should tell a story during your job seminar. Therefore, adapt your presentation to your audience’s expertise, interest, and knowledge level. Rather than simply listing your experiments and results, emphasize why you conducted an analysis and what the results mean.
Practice active listening when people ask questions during or after your presentation. Be cognizant that in a virtual interview, people will be watching you speak up close. Consider minimizing or stop sharing your presentation so that you can watch the person asking you the question.
7. Maintain confidentiality
If you are interviewing at a company other than your own, make sure that you maintain confidentiality. If you disclose proprietary information, it will reflect negatively on you. That is because employers will be concerned that if hired you might also disclose their information.
8. Be yourself!
Job interviews give you an opportunity to meet new people and learn about a different company, department or role. Therefore, try to have fun with the interview, even if it might be stressful.
Don’t forget that a job interview is also an opportunity for you to determine if this new role or organization is a good fit for your skills and career aspirations. This interaction, though virtual, should be a two-way conversation. Your virtual job interview experience might also be a way to understand how well the company is adapting to and managing remote hiring.
After the virtual job interview
9. Follow up
After the interview, send thank you emails whenever possible. Personalize the email by commenting on your conversation and share your enthusiasm for the position.
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic may impact hiring at many companies. The hiring process may speed up or slow down as businesses adapt. Have patience and understanding.
Some candidates and employers may find it difficult to make connections virtually. Looking at someone through a camera does not have the same impact as looking someone in the eye. Camera interactions also limit the side conversations that can occur when someone walks you to a building or meets you over coffee. It is also hard to get a feel for a position and a company without being onsite. Be sure to be as engaging as possible using some of the tips above and to ask the appropriate questions to get a feel for the position, people and company culture.
Great tips that many people will be able to put to immediate use!