Does your home office look the part for your virtual job interview?

Have you ever been on a Zoom or Skype call, and been distracted by the other person’s surroundings? Your focus may have been on the book-case overflowing with books, files, folders, computer cables and various other paraphernalia. Maybe that dead plant in the corner of the room took your eye. Or maybe, it was just the mess behind the person that screamed chaotic and unprofessional. 

As in a face-to-face interview, your goal in an online interview is to confidently sell yourself - your skills, knowledge, experience, personality and passion. You need every virtual job interview tip and strategy at your finger-tips to present yourself in the best possible light! You may not get a second chance to make a great impression. 

Just like your clothes need to “look the part”, so too does your environment.

Pay close attention to this background. Analyse it critically, just as your interviewer will! You want to be the focus of the call, not the mess behind you. 

Think carefully about the look you are trying to achieve, and try to put that look into words. Words like professional, tidy, efficient, organised, light, bright and cheery may come to mind.

Now, go about creating that look! Ruthlessly cull all the clutter. And once the area has been cleared, thoughtfully and strategically add any items that will reflect that amazing new look that you want to achieve.

If the room looks too austere after you have decluttered the space, you could add a simple book-case, a lamp, a simple picture to liven up the wall, or a healthy-looking plant or two.

And if you’re still not 100% certain if you have hit the mark, ask a friend for their feedback.

It is also important to ensure that the room or space in which you are interviewed is exclusively yours. You definitely do not want to run the risk of the dog strolling in taking centre-stage, or your family or room-mates walking casually around in the background, doing their own thing.

Spending this time, effort and energy creating a nice and professional looking background before your next virtual interview, is a great investment in yourself and your future career prospects.

© 2020 Susan Weser.  All rights reserved.