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AGCAREERS.COM
AG & FOOD CAREER GUIDE
VIRTUAL INTERVIEW
REVELATIONS
The potential employer
contacts you to set up your
first interview virtually. You
may give a sigh of relief for an
online interview, but wait, just
because you don’t have to worry
about your shoes or fingernails,
doesn’t mean there aren’t other
unique considerations. In contrast
to in-person, virtual interviews
invite the potential employer
into a little of your world. Think
about your background and your
computer technology skills, among
other aspects.
Rather than an in-person
interview where you’re on the
employer’s stage, it’s your turn to set
the stage in a virtual interview. You
don’t want your environment to cause a
virtual interview “overshare.” Consider
your surroundings, both audibly (think
loud roommates, music, dogs barking)
and visually. Are your surroundings clean
and clutter-free, or can you see towels
hanging over your closet door and dirty
clothes on the floor? Is your desk cluttered
with empty beverage containers? Cat
crawling around on your lap? Blinding light
coming through your window?
If your backdrop is less than ideal, you
may be guilty of visually oversharing in a
virtual interview. Turn on your computer
camera—what do you see? Are you presenting
the image an employer wants to hire? Since
the pandemic, many meetings, events, and
even entire workplaces have moved to a virtual
environment. Employers want to know you’re
self-aware and recognize how the background
presents you and potentially represents your
future employer in a virtual environment.
Also, relinquish some of that
spotlight; refocus on the employer and
interviewer to let them shine. Remember
your questions for the employer are
just as important and give you extra
opportunity to listen and learn. Prepare
questions ahead of time and don’t
hesitate to ask new questions as they
arise during your interview. Asking
questions will also combat your
tendency to overshare. Consider asking
the interviewer about their role in the
organization, how long they’ve been
there, why they enjoy working for the
organization, and what a typical day
looks like.
As a guide, here are ten things you
shouldn’t share during an interview:
Avoid these 10
Interview Overshares
1.
Excuses—Reasons why you’re late,
your GPA is low, wrinkled clothes, you
seem stressed or are unprepared.
2.
Ambivalence—Words that show
you’re indecisive, disengaged, or
uninterested. Avoid “Sure,” “That’s fine,”
“Like,” “I don’t care,” “Um…maybe.”
3.
What’s in this for me?—Stay clear
of asking about perks such as days
off, flexible hours or work from home
options (especially during the first
interview).
4.
Clueless—Do your research on the
company, or at least relay your desire to
learn more. Don’t highlight your lack of
knowledge by sharing that you “really
don’t know what the company does.”
5.
Complaints—Weather, traffic, my
parents made me do it, how little sleep
you got last night.
6.
Guesses—When a question stumps
you, it’s better to say, “I don’t know”
than to wing it. Ask for clarification or
offer to return to the question later. You
could even address the question in your
interview follow-up/thank you.
7.
Personal circumstances—A
breakup, the death of your beloved pet,
bankruptcy, a messy divorce, surgeries,
and health information.
8.
Desperation—“My last employer
fired me.” “When will I get my first
paycheck?” “My parents said I must
have a job by spring semester.” “I need
health coverage for my family.” “My rent
payment is overdue.”
9.
Politics & religion—Your views, even
if you think your interviewer might or
should agree!
10.
Be cautious of interview oversharing.
Knowing what NOT to say, in addition,
what TO say, will certainly enhance your
chance of securing a new position.
AG
Burnt bridges—Disparaging
comments about your former boss,
coworkers, employer, or educators.