Virtual Interview Best Practices

Tips from the UBS Leadership Development Committee

Transitioning away from in-person interviews can be a blessing and a curse. There are benefits to online interviews, and plenty more downsides. In today’s article, we hope to highlight some tips and tricks to help you land an internship through virtual interviews.

Wear pants

As silly as it may seem, interviewers have asked candidates if they are wearing pants - and in more extreme cases - to stand and prove it. While the odds of this happening are rather low, it is never worth the risk. Interviewees should always prepare and dress appropriately, as if the interview was in person. In most cases, this means business formal unless otherwise stated.

Interview location

Make sure your video interview location is quiet, well lit, and relatively distraction free. This is your time to shine! Don’t let outside factors interfere. If you have siblings or dogs, make sure they stay quiet throughout the interview, and leave a note on your door to make sure no one enters your room. Having a blank wall or nice background is crucial, as an unkempt room or other distractions will be seen as unprofessional.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Before your interview, start up your own Zoom and make sure everything in your camera screen looks okay before you join the official call for your interview. It can be beneficial to recite and record your story to the camera, and rewatch the clip to make sure you are making ample eye contact. Don’t forget to check your WiFi connection and ask other users to go off the internet during the interview.

Take advantage of the online medium

If you need to, keep some notes off to the side to keep yourself on track and serve as a reminder for your talking points. But keep these notes within reason, so it is not obvious to the interviewer. Prepare for the interview as if it was in person, but keep bullet points to use only if you get lost or flustered (as a tool, not a crutch). 

As the world transitions into our new reality, remember that everyone’s getting used to this new platform, including your interviewer! Inevitably, there will be distractions, interruptions, or technical difficulties, so remember to take them in stride. It’ll show your personality, and it allows you to show that you handle stressful situations promptly and calmly. Good luck Bruins!