69 The Basics • Establish the right time zone (CST/ EST) and DO NOT BE LATE! • Who is calling whom? • Get from or give the interviewer an alternative phone in the event that there are issues logging into the online interview program • Fix your privacy settings so your username can be found Profile • Have an appropriate name: i.e. first.last19 vs. wild_jungle_cat • Have a professional photo as your icon and not a vacation or couple photo • Mind your status—set it to “available” • Try to have everything in tip- top shape before exchanging information. Feel free to tell the interviewer that you will send them an email with your information to buy time if you’re not prepared Be Proactive to Prevent Technical Problems • Test your audio and video • Make sure your audio doesn’t echo or have static • Make sure your lighting is adequate and your face can be seen, natural light works best. Do not have a window behind you to avoid glare ACETHEINTERVIEW VIDEO&PHONEINTERVIEWING • Turn off notification sounds and close all other browsers to avoid interruptions during the interview • Use ethernet instead of wi-fi if possible; it is more reliable • Use a PC or laptop. Do not a tablet or phone. This will provide steady video feed without shaking and will allow your hands to be free • Use a headset to minimize echo and background noise • Do a test run with a friend to make sure you can be heard and seen clearly Look & Sound Professional • This is an interview, treat it like one—dress professionally from head-to-toe • Speak slowly and clearly in case there is lag or technical issues on the interviewers end • For that same reason, this can be a good excuse to have the interviewer repeat a question if it is unclear. • Eye contact is tricky since the interviewer(s) are on screen, but try to look at your camera directly as much as possible—otherwise, it will appear as if you are looking down • Keep gestures to a minimum; the interviewer can only see a limited area, you should not act outside of that space as “lag” can be an issue when gesturing Manage Your Environment • Roommates | Family Members: Notify them that you have an interview and put a sign on your door that tells them “Do not Disturb” • Make sure your pets are outside or placed in a confined room far enough away that they cannot be heard making noises • Make sure your background is clean and clear, with no posters, laundry, trash, dishes or other visual distractions that could appear to the interviewer What To Have With You • Bring your résumé, cover letter, job description and company research and have them ready to refer to during your interview • Feel free to put post-it notes on your screen to remind you to address certain key points • Warning: Do not rifle through papers during your interview; it is distracting and loud   69 DU's online video interview practice system can help students and alumni perfect their interview skills. Find it on the Career Services home page: davenport.edu/career-services