The Covid-19 Pandemic has had a widespread impact on all walks of life, and a significant challenge faced by many prospective students is engaging in online interviews. However, students should take this as a challenge and with adherence to a few points, the virtual interview process can be a positive one. Let’s discuss a few aspects that can ease the discomfort and uncertainty associated with a virtual interview.
Test your Technology: To avoid connection issues, check your internet connectivity, reconfirm if the camera and microphone are working well. Continue the practice of checking every day for a week before the interview.
Be Prepared: Besides testing your technology, it is essential to determine where you are going to take the interview? Find a room with optimal lighting and a low level of noise. Make sure your cell phone is switched off. Be sure of answers to common questions and sound confident and not robotic. For example, if asked, what do you know about our MBA program? The Adcom is not looking for information available on their website or Wikipedia. They are trying to gauge your interest in the course and what steps you have taken to understand the culture of the university?
Rehearse with family and Friends: The members of Admission committee have years of experience to gauge your nervousness and can stump you with tricky questions. For example, you are managing your family business of catering for weddings, how will an MBA add value to your profile? How would your friends or colleagues describe you in three words? Practicing with family and friends helps us answer a variety of questions and improvise your answers as well.
Body Language: A virtual interview does not allow you to offer a firm handshake; however, the right body language can have a favourable impression on the interviewer. Sit straight on a comfortable chair with a pleasing smile and maintain eye contact with the camera.
Be Well Dressed: Dress as you would for a face to face interaction. Professional clothing conveys seriousness.
Be Yourself: Remember, “your vibe attracts your tribe.” An essential task for any interviewer is to determine how well you fit in their environment. In a virtual set up, it is not easy to establish your enthusiasm and to be expressive holds the key. However, don’t overdo it. If asked about your favourite football club, please don’t consider it necessary to answer the question in case you don’t follow the sport. It is perfectly alright to let the interviewer know you don’t follow football.
Keeping in mind the points mentioned above we can understand confidence and preparation are two attributes critical to crack a virtual interview. Good Luck.
Author : Divya Ramkumar
Designation- Editor (Admission Cell)
Pegasus Global Consultants
