Virtual Interview Best Practices

90% of people I talk to say they don’t know how to appear confident when sitting in a meeting. 3 powerful body language tactics I use in every seated meeting to feel & appear confident: 𝟭. 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 • Angle your torso directly toward the person you're speaking with (I love swivel chairs over low couches when given the choice) • On Zoom, position your camera so your entire body faces it (not just glancing over)  • If seated at a weird restaurant angle, physically move your chair to face the other person When your toes, torso, and head all point toward someone, they literally feel like you're on the same page. Physical alignment creates psychological alignment. ____ 𝟮. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆, 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 • Keep your hands visible on the table  • Never cross your arms (even when cold)  • Avoid any barriers between you and the other person Research is clear: People with crossed arms are rated as closed, distant, and close-minded. More importantly, researchers found that when people try to generate creative ideas with crossed arms, they produce fewer ideas! Closed body = closed mind. ____ 𝟯. 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻 • Use physical proximity to signal interest • Lean in when you like an idea or person ("Wow, tell me more" + lean)  • Mirror your conversation partner's energy  • (fast talker = more gestures, slow talker = slower pace) Mirroring shows respect by matching communication styles. People naturally like those who communicate similarly to them. The lean is your nonverbal way of highlighting interest - it's like physically bolding your words. ____ These tricks do more than make you seem confident - they actually change how you think. When I use these in meetings, press, or podcast interviews, I see immediate differences in how creative and engaged I feel. Try them in your next meeting and watch what happens.

After reviewing thousands of interview feedback forms throughout my career, I've noticed a pattern: candidates who clearly articulate why they want the specific role and why they're an ideal fit before leaving the interview consistently receive higher ratings.   Many qualified professionals mistakenly assume: • Their enthusiasm for the role is self-evident • Their qualifications clearly align with the job requirements • The interviewer has connected all the dots between their experience and the position   However, leaving this crucial connection unstated can significantly impact hiring decisions.   The closing moments of an interview create a lasting impression.   Using this time to clearly summarize your interest and fit provides the interviewer with clarity that helps them advocate for you in subsequent hiring discussions.   Before concluding any interview, take a moment to explicitly state: • Your specific interest in this role and organization • How your experience directly addresses their key needs • Your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute   This simple practice ensures nothing is left to interpretation about your interest or suitability - exactly what hiring managers need when comparing candidates.   What interview closing technique have you found most effective?   Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju    #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #professionalcommunication #interviewstrategies #hiringprocess

One thing 99% of candidates never do after their interview and it costs them the offer every time… They never send a real, impactful follow-up. My student, a complete fresher, was competing against candidates with more experience. After weeks of rejections and silence, he got his YES from a top MNC. Because he did this ONE thing 99% ignore: he sent a follow-up message that showed genuine interest, real value, and absolute intent. Why does this matter? According to LinkedIn’s research, candidates who follow up within 24 hours are 50% more likely to receive a positive response. But almost no one does it well. 👉 Here’s the exact type of follow-up I teach my students to send (that actually works): Subject: Thank you for the opportunity Hi [Interviewer’s Name], Thank you for meeting with me today. Our discussion about [specific project, e.g., Infosys’ new fintech initiatives] made me even more excited about the possibility of joining your team. I wanted to add a quick thought: Given my experience leading my college’s coding club and developing a payments app for over 2,000 users, I believe I can quickly add value to [Company]’s [specific goal or project]. If there are any further steps I can complete or details I can provide, please let me know. Looking forward to the next steps! Best, [Your Name] Why did this work? 1️⃣ It’s specific (mentions a company project or problem). 2️⃣ It ties the candidate’s unique value directly to the company. 3️⃣ It’s proactive and genuine, not “just checking in.” The post-interview silence is where most opportunities die. But also where a single message can reopen the door. 💡 My tips for you: ➡️ Always send a tailored follow-up within 24 hours. ➡ Reference the interview and your own strengths — show you remember, you care, you fit. ➡ Keep it short, real, and focused on THEM (not just you). If you want to turn interviews into offers, don’t just prepare for the questions. Own the moments after you leave the room. #interview #interviewtips #interviewpreparation #careergrowth

Things I don't personally care about as someone with a decade of recruiting experience: - what you're wearing - whether you're in a dedicated office space - whether your house is messy - whether there's a bit of background noise I recognize that when working or interviewing remotely, our personal and professional lives intertwine and we can have fantastic skills and be wildly productive while working from bed wearing PJs (she says as she sits on her bed in PJs typing this post). That said, I have seen enough recruiters and hiring managers share that they DO care about these things that I know it can hold people back in interview processes. So a few things I can recommend on this front: 1. Use a background or the blur feature for zoom/teams interview - these can be downloaded for free and take care of any concerns a hiring team may have if they see people, a stack of dishes, kids' toys, etc. behind you. 2. Default to business casual for interviews, even online ones - a polo shirt, tank top or dress with a cardigan, button down shirt, a sweater, etc. is fine - no need for a suit. For in-office interviews, I suggest always asking the recruiter about office dress code. 3. If you're in a noisy space, use headphones and mic that filters out excess noise. There are apps that do this (like Krisp), and Zoom also filters out much of this. You can test this out with a friend ahead of an interview if you're unsure how well your systems are working. 4. And while you're at it, test out any tech BEFORE interviews - if you struggle to join a call, get your camera on, share your screen, etc., it could signal you're not as familiar with using technology which could raise concerns about your ability to navigate remote work. Some people will say, "I'm OK with places that care about this stuff rejecting me!" and I think that's great, but I also know that many people can't afford to be picky right now so hopefully these tips are helpful!

Shirt buttons open. Hair disheveled. You're coming for an interview that could change your career. Putting in 15 minutes to look presentable could make quite a difference. If you can't be bothered to button your shirt or comb your hair for an interview, what does that say about how you'll approach: - Client meetings? - Team presentations? - High-stakes deadlines? Virtual interviews during the pandemic made this worse. People got too comfortable. "It's just a video call from home, why dress up?" Because the person on the other side is evaluating whether you take this seriously. Confidence is good. Overconfidence that leads to sloppiness is not. You can be confident in your abilities and still prepare your appearance. They're not mutually exclusive. Before any interview (in-person or virtual): - Groom yourself - Dress appropriately for the role - Check your background (if virtual) - Test your mic/video feed (if virtual) For a startup: Smart casual is fine. But still neat and intentional. For corporate: Business formal might be expected. For creative roles: You have more flexibility, but still be presentable. If you're interviewing for a role where output is everything and face-time is minimal (pure coding role, remote research position), this matters less. But even then, showing up messy signals you don't respect the other person's time. Your appearance in an interview is the first impression before you say a single word. You can recover from a weak technical answer. You can't easily recover from looking like you don't care. The 15-minute investment compounds. Hiring managers/founders do notice the small signals about how seriously someone takes important moments. Do you think appearance matters in interviews? 

Getting to the final round isn’t the goal. Converting it into an offer is. At the final stage, everyone is smart and capable. So why do only a few walk away with the job? Because: 🧠 Skills get you considered. 🎯 Clarity, relevance, and confidence get you hired. 🔍 What separates the top 10%? Let’s break it down - with real-world examples: ✅ 1. They connect their value to the company’s priorities ❌ “I’ve managed large engineering teams.” ✅ “I led a team through a critical re-architecture that reduced cloud spend by 40% - which directly supports the cost optimization you mentioned earlier.” ❌ “I launched multiple marketing campaigns.” ✅ “I launched a B2B campaign that shortened our average sales cycle by 11 days - something I know is a current challenge for your GTM team.” → They don’t just show what they’ve done - they show why it matters here. ✅ 2. They demonstrate decision-making, not just execution ❌ “I helped migrate to a new CRM.” ✅ “I evaluated 3 CRM options, built the ROI case, led the implementation, and cut reporting time by 70%. It wasn’t just a tech shift - it changed how sales operated.” ❌ “I built onboarding processes.” ✅ “I rebuilt onboarding after we scaled past 100 people - focusing on cross-functional handoffs and knowledge transfer. Onboarding NPS went from 48 to 91.” → They tell stories that show ownership and business thinking. ✅ 3. They close interviews with clarity and strategy ❌ “I’d love to be part of your team.” ✅ “I’m excited to help streamline your product ops - especially with the team doubling. I’ve built process at scale before, and I’d love to help you get ahead of the chaos.” → They leave decision-makers thinking: ‘We need them in the room.’ 💡 Final Thought: Final rounds are the start of the real evaluation. The question isn’t “Can you do the job?” It’s: 🧠 Do you deeply understand what we’re solving for? ⚙️ Can you plug in and drive impact - fast? 📣 Will you make our lives easier, better, clearer? The top 10% make that answer obvious. 💬 Have you been to a final round recently? What helped - or hurt - your chances? Would love to hear your take ⬇️

I watched a senior leader keep typing while their direct report gave an update. The report was important. The leader said all the right things: "Uh-huh." "Got it." "Makes sense." But their body said something else entirely. Here's what most people get wrong about respect at work: They think respect is about what you say. It's not. Respect is about what you do when someone else is talking. The body language tell everyone misses: Watch what happens when you start speaking. Do they stop what they're doing? Or do they keep going? If someone respects you: → They stop typing → They put their phone down → They turn toward you → They give you their full attention If they don't respect you: → They keep scrolling → They nod while staring at their screen → They multitask through your entire point They're sending a message: "I'm listening, but you're not important enough for me to stop." Why this matters more than you think: People can fake listening with words. "Yeah, totally." "I hear you." But their body tells the truth. When someone physically stops what they're doing to focus on you, that's respect. When they don't, that's your answer. What to do when someone keeps multitasking while you're talking: Stop talking. Mid-sentence. Just pause. Wait until they look up. Then continue. You didn't say "Are you listening?" You didn't complain. You just made it clear: If you want to hear this, you need to actually pay attention. Most people will stop what they're doing. If they don't, you know exactly where you stand. The flip side: When someone's talking to you, stop what you're doing. Even if it's inconvenient. Even if you're busy. Turn toward them. Put the phone down. Give them your full attention. That's how you show respect without saying a word. And people notice. In an era of constant distraction, the simple act of stopping becomes powerful. What's your experience with this? Have you noticed this pattern in your workplace?

Interviewing for your dream job and looking for ways to stand out? You may check all the boxes for the job, but are you following up after interviews? 📧 Send a Thoughtful Thank-You Email – Within 24 hours, express gratitude, reinforce your enthusiasm, and mention a specific moment from the interview that resonated with you. Personal touches make you more memorable. 👔 Be Concise and Professional – Keep your follow-up messages clear and to the point. Avoid overly aggressive or frequent follow-ups, as they can come off as desperate rather than proactive. 🙋♀️ 🙋♂️ Reiterate Your Value – Use the follow-up to subtly remind the hiring manager why you're the right fit. If you’ve thought of an additional relevant skill, experience, or insight since the interview, include it. ⏳ Respect the Timeline – If they mentioned a decision timeframe, wait until after that period to check in. If they didn’t, a polite follow-up 7–10 days post-interview is reasonable. 😃 Stay Positive, Regardless of the Outcome – If you don’t get the job, respond with gratitude and keep the door open for future opportunities. A graceful follow-up can leave a lasting positive impression for other roles down the line. Example 👇 Subject: Thank You for the Opportunity Hi [Interviewer’s Name], I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I truly enjoyed our conversation and learning more about the team and the exciting work ahead. I’m especially excited about [mention a specific topic discussed in the interview, such as a project, company initiative, or team dynamic], and I believe my experience in [relevant skill or expertise] aligns well with your needs. Our discussion reinforced my enthusiasm for the role, and I’d love the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name]’s success. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can provide to assist in your decision-making process. I look forward to hearing about next steps and appreciate your time and consideration. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Email] [Your Phone Number]

Before you walk out of your next interview, make sure this checklist is complete ✅ 
According to a survey, 33% of employers decide within the first 90 seconds, BUT the closing moments often reaffirm that decision. 5 Things to Check Off Before Ending an Interview ✅ Clarify Next Steps – Before leaving, ask: * “When can I expect to hear back?” * “Will there be additional interview rounds?”
This shows you’re organised and serious about the role. ✅ Reconfirm Your Fit – Summarise your key strengths and how they match the role: * “Given my experience in client communication, I believe I can handle the client-facing aspect of this role well.” * “My background in data analysis aligns closely with the reporting needs you mentioned.” ✅ Questions and Doubts – Ask smart, role-related questions to show engagement: * “What does success look like for this role in the first 6 months?” * “How does the team measure performance?” ✅ Express Gratitude – End with genuine appreciation: * “Thank you for walking me through the company’s growth plans — it’s inspiring.” * “I really appreciate your time and the insights you shared today.” ✅ Leave a Lasting Impression – Have a confident closing line ready: * “I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to contribute here.” * “After learning more about the role, I’m even more confident this is the right fit for both of us.” Do you have a checklist? Share it in the comments below! 
#InterviewTips #CareerGrowth #JobSearch #SoftSkills #InterviewPreparation #CareerAdvice

Sending a “following up" email after an interview is like pushing the elevator button multiple times. You feel better but it doesn’t make it move any faster. [swipe this email instead] We’ve all felt the angst of waiting after a promising interview. “I wanted to check in” email is like trying to make the elevator move faster by pressing the button 6 gallian times while you decide if you are supposed to make eye contact with the stranger standing a little too close to you. That email rarely gets you what you were hoping for. You may get a non-committal message back. The odds are that you won’t hear back and you start to spiral. Send this email instead: Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], I enjoyed our discussion about [Position] [date/yesterday]. I [was inspired by/resonated with] our conversation and how you are able to [subject mentioned in interview]. The challenge you mentioned regarding [specific problem/project] stood out, as it closely parallels a situation at [previous company]. While I was there, I was able to [outcome of effort] which [eliminated/reduced] [pain – what impact did it have?]. I'm enthusiastic about the possibility of joining your team and tackling these challenges together. Kind regards, [First name Last name] [phone number] Tips to keep in mind: 1.    Always get their email address during the interview. 2.    Keep the email short. Brief is kind and respectful of their time. 3.    The emails is a continuation of the conversation. It helps keep you top of mind. You’re not trying to elicit a response. 4.    Your leadership style is still under review. This is a telling example of it. Click “save this post” using the three dots in the right corner so you can have a handy reminder before you send that email. When you’re hiring, do you try to reply to these candidate emails?