How to Prepare for Your Digital Interview

Digital interviewing has risen in prevalence over the last few years due to its ease of use and simplification for both candidates and employers. Rather than coordinating on-sites and working around busy schedules, digital interviewing allows candidates to take interviews on their own time and allows interviewers a standardized way to evaluate.

This also means that digital interview prep isn’t quite the same as preparing for a traditional in-person interview. Here are 5 tips to help prepare you for your next digital interview.

1. Do your research
Make sure to research the company you are interviewing for, details on their product and/or services, their mission and values, and any information you can find relevant to the role you are interviewing for. If you are applying for an engineering position, for example, find out if they have an engineering blog and read a couple of articles to see what they’re working on and the challenges they are currently facing. Another great channel for company research is social media - finding a recent tidbit that you can (naturally) cite in your interview responses will show that you did your research and you are really interested in working for the organization.

2. Create the perfect space
Don’t overlook this step! Finding a place to take your interview that is comfortable and quiet is integral to your success. Make sure there is good lighting so that you can be seen by the camera and that there are minimal distractions. Organizing your interview space to include only the essentials will help you to stay focused and prepared come interview time.

3. Do a tech check
Make sure all your ducks are in a row before you press the start button. Check your internet strength to ensure an uninterrupted connection. Make sure your computer or device is fully charged and all unneeded applications are closed (including notifications). Test your audio and video prior to recording. Go through these checks before every digital interview to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted experience.

4. Dress the part
While you are not meeting face-to-face with your interviewer, you will nevertheless be seen when they watch your recorded answers - so make sure you present yourself as you would any other interview. For a corporate role, this often means a business or business casual dress.

5. Use post-it notes
Post-it notes are the secret weapon to acing a digital interview. While you can’t anticipate every question that will be asked, there are most likely key points that you would like to get across. Write these down in clear print on post-it notes and stick them to your computer screen. This will help jog your memory and keep you on track with your responses.

Use these easy tips when conducting your digital interview to help you put your best foot forward and land the job. Good luck, you got this!