Tips for a successful virtual interview with PartnerHero

We have two important goals for the hiring process at PartnerHero. The first is to get to know you: your background, interests, passions and values. The second goal is for you to get to know us:  our values, our culture and if the open roles at PartnerHero are a good fit for you. In order to meet both of these goals and account for the fact that we are a global company, we use video conferencing technology, like Zoom, to conduct most interviews.

We aim to make the virtual interview process as seamless as possible for applicants. We made this guide to prepare you for your interview and answer any questions you might have. Let’s dive in.

What is a virtual interview?

A virtual interview is essentially a video or phone conference.  For a video call, we use Zoom.  You will connect with us through a link that will be provided in your emailed interview invitation. Think of it as a formal interview that you happen to be doing from the comfort of your own home via a laptop or mobile device.

How is a virtual interview different from a regular interview?

It isn’t really any different. This is still a formal interview. The only difference is the virtual conference technology that we are using to connect and meet. Don’t let technology prevent you from being yourself. We want to facilitate great conversations with our candidates so they can determine if PartnerHero is a good fit for them. Some people find that interviewing from home makes them less nervous since they are in the familiar surroundings of their home. Other people miss the in-person element of traditional interviews. Whichever camp you are in, we hope you will bring your full self to the interview so we can get to know you.

What type of technology will I need?

You’ll need a strong internet connection and a computer, laptop, or mobile device. If you are invited to a video interview you will need to have a camera on your device. If you have concerns about your ability to participate due to technical issues or if you don’t have a device with a camera, please notify your recruiter as soon as possible.

Most, if not all, smartphones and tablets have built-in cameras that can be used to connect via video conference.

What if I need an accommodation?

Individuals with disabilities who are unable or limited in their ability to participate in virtual interviews may request reasonable accommodations by contacting their recruiter. Please don’t let a disability get in the way of an interview, we’d love to hear from you.

What do I do if I have technical issues when trying to connect to a video conference?

Typically, virtual interviews are easy to set up and conduct. If you are having technical issues, try to connect a couple of times. Sometimes a simple re-boot is all that is needed. If you continue to have issues, please reach out to the recruiter about what is happening.

Tips for a successful virtual video interview:

You should prepare for a virtual interview as you would any formal in-person interview, but here are some tips to get the most out of the opportunity. We understand that video interviewing might be new to you. If you come prepared, you’ll feel more confident and at-ease.

Get Connected: The most important preliminary step you need to take before your live video interview is to check your internet connection to make sure it’s not lagging. It’s tough to have a successful video interview if you’re on a faulty connection. Plan to sign into the video conference 10 minutes prior to the interview to check your connection and get familiar with the system.

Be Mindful of Lighting and Location: Preparing a neat and professional background environment can lay the groundwork for a successful interview:

• Pick a quiet location where you will not be interrupted during the interview.
• A backdrop free of distraction and motion.
• If you are using a laptop or mobile device, ensure it is fully charged.
• Light sources should be set up behind your webcam with the light shining toward your face (for example, if the light source is a window, set up your desk so you are looking at your computer with the window behind your computer)
• Ideally, the height of the webcam should be at eye level, positioned to show your head and shoulders.

Prepare: Prepping for video interviews is essentially no different from in-person interviews. Try not to lose sight of the fact that this is still a formal interview.

• Do your research on the company, the interviewer and the role.
• Prepare thoughtful and appropriate questions for the interview.
• Dress as you would for an in-person interview.
• Try doing some “mock questions” and recording them so you can evaluate if you need to change anything about your setup.

Be Yourself: Don’t let technology stand in the way of letting your personality show. In an in-person interview, you would converse casually and allow the interviewer to get to know you as a person.

Focus on allowing your interviewer to get to know you and don’t get too distracted by the technology.

Don’t use notes. It’s obvious if you look down to review your notes and it can cause gaps in your ability to focus and answer questions effectively.

Follow Up: Just as you would with any interview, thank the interviewer for the opportunity and follow up with a thoughtful thank-you note if you are truly interested in pursuing the opportunity. In your note, reiterate why you are interested in the job and why you are a great match for the company and the role.

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