Mastering the Interview

Regardless of profession, it’s a safe bet to assume that almost all of us will go through an interview or two in our lifetimes. As a virtual assistant, interviewing is often a regular part of the job as you rotate through projects and clients. This article shares some of my top tips and tricks for mastering interviews and landing the jobs you want. 

1. Appear Professional
Now I know this might sound pretty obvious, but the importance of looking professional cannot be overstated. This doesn’t just refer to physical appearance and clothing also refers to your surroundings and the environment you present yourself in. So avoid the temptation to get too comfortable as a work-from-home employee: put on a professional outfit that makes you feel confident, set up your work space with a nice backdrop or pre-set your background filter, and make sure everything looks clean and tidy. 

2. Show Up Early     
We all know how important being on time is, right? I always recommend showing up to any interview or meeting with a client at least 5 minutes early. Plan this extra time out beforehand to make sure you have a good internet connection, your links are working properly, and eliminate the possibility you will be rushing or appear unprepared. 

3. Carry Yourself with Confidence
This might be easier said than done, but carrying yourself with confidence will change the perception a prospective client or recruiter has of you. Always make good eye contact, look directly into the camera, speak with an air of assurance, and don’t hesitate to show a little bit of your own personality during the meeting. 

4. Be Respectful
This one should be a given, but always treat your client/interviewer with the utmost respect and consideration. Stick to your own professional boundaries when the need arises, but remember that every client/interviewer could potentially be your boss, and they should be treated as such. 

5. Have a Buffer
This is a less common interview tip, but it is one I find really helpful. Say a potential client asks you a question that you are not quite sure about or didn’t prepare ahead of time for. Instead of inadvertently blurting out a lousy answer or saying “uuummm” for far too long, have something like a water bottle or cup of coffee handy, and take a long drink while you consider your answer. 

6.Practice, Practice, Practice
​My last and maybe most important tip: practice, practice, practice. Practice telling your personal story, practice your reasoning for why you are a good candidate, and practice answering interview questions. Have a friend or family member sit down with you or use an automated computer program to ask you questions and get you more comfortable being in the spotlight. , This will also help you practice using your “buffer” and will speed up your question-answering. 

If you are a freelancer or virtual assistant, interviewing is sure to become a common and unavoidable part of your career, so work on these skills as often as possible to master them! No matter what your career path is, following these steps is guaranteed to help you master the interview process, become more confident, and ultimately nail that job! 
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