How Do I Dress for a Virtual Interview?

Video interviewing has become more popular during COVID. It may be the first time you’ve had the opportunity for this, and cause some intimidation There is no travel and it is being done in the comfort of your own home, on the positive side. What to wear is one of the most common areas in doubt by many-the best rule of thumb is to dress professionally, as you would for an in person interview.

Here are some general tips to keep in mind for a virtual interview:

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep the distractions to a minimum. Check the lighting, WiFi connections to be sure they are at their optimum and best for the time of day.  A backup tech option might be one to consider. Have a light source in front of you , not behind you. Background –Is it a neutral, non-distracting background? Virtual backgrounds might be popular, but aren’t always the best to use.
2. Consider a trial run at the same time of day as the interview. This will diminish anxiety, and any glitches can be worked out before “the big day.” And help with keeping you focused and maintaining eye contact. Make sure you have done your homework on the position and the company. Have everything ready beforehand —questions, info about the company, your resume, glasses etc.
3. What do men wear? Are suits a must? There is no absolute right or wrong answer to this question. Instead, one should be aware of the organization’s culture to make this determination.  A start up organization might not necessitate a suit, but a law firm most definitely would. If you’re unsure, dress as you would for an in-person interview, usually a well fitting, dark suit. Dressing from the waist up only could be disastrous, so be proactive and dress the entire part.

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