This could happen to you: You don’t hear back from an employer for weeks. Then, out of the blue, you get the call. You’ve gotten the interview...
Here are some good bits of advise offered by the team behind mashable.com
The question now becomes this: How do you prepare for a virtual job interview when you have limited time — say, only 24 hours? Check out this timetable as a guide.
9 - 11 a.m. Research: No matter what sort of interview you have, it’s important to research the organization. Check out their recent news, organizational practices and what other people are saying. In addition, do a little Googling of yourself to ensure there’s nothing questionable about you online.
11 a.m - 12 p.m. Get your equipment ready: Online interviewing may require certain equipment. Make sure you have a working webcam, mic, or the latest software ready. If you aren't positive about your system requirements, check with the interviewer. Test your equipment with a friend or colleague to ensure everything is up to date and working correctly.
12 - 1 p.m. Break
1 - 2 p.m. Dry run: In addition to equipment, it’s vital to do a virtual interview dry run. Practicing your interview story with the same friend or colleague can help you to be confident when the actual interview takes place. Your physical appearance is also important. For example, certain clothes, colors, or backdrops may translate differently in a virtual interview. Try using different lighting and attire to guarantee you not only sound professional, but also look the part as well.
3 - 4 p.m. Verify: Online interviews may not be as black-and-white as the in-person experience. Verify the date, time, whom you’ll be speaking with and what you may need to have on hand during the interview. For example, some virtual interviews may require multiple conversations with different interviewers. Some could just be a Skype call that requires no video. Others might make you take a proficiency test on the spot. Confirm all details so you aren’t surprised during the actual interview.
4 - 5 p.m. Name-check: Since the interview is virtual, chances are good your interviewer is proficient on social networking sites. Send them a tweet, Facebook message, or reach out on LinkedIn saying you’re looking forward to speaking with them tomorrow. Keep it formal, but make sure your enthusiasm for the position is translated.
5 - 7 p.m. Break
7 - 10 p.m. Last minute checks and balances: By now, you have verification on what equipment you need, whom you’ll be speaking with, and what you’ll need to have on hand. Use your last few hours of the day to do some checks and balances, such as testing your audio and camera one more time or recording a mock interview. These last-minute checks and balances may be a repetition of what you did earlier in the day, but double-checking your technology is better than facing a software disaster during the interview.
10 p.m - 7 a.m. Rest up
7 - 9 a.m. Get yourself in the zone: The hours before your virtual interview are not the time to go overboard, memorize your resume, or do another run-through. It’s the time to get your mind in the zone. Interviewers can tell when you’re overly nervous or trying too hard. Eat some breakfast, grab yourself a cup of coffee and relax. Up until this point, you’ve done all you can to prepare in the short time you were alloted. Anything else may be seen as overkill and can cloud the progress you’ve made. Instead, mentally focus on succeeding in the interview. You’ll find this will help you to prepare instead of cramming.
Since online interviews are becoming more prevalent, understanding how to prepare for them in a short time period is vital. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to to impress the interviewer and land the job.
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